The Community College of Vermont and the Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) are expanding the Corrections Post-Secondary Education Initiative partnership, which delivers free college courses to DOC staff and to Vermonters who are incarcerated.
Starting in January, they will offer free community college courses to individuals re-entering their communities after incarceration. Benefits will extend for a year after release, and students will be eligible for two class vouchers per semester.
The initiative was designed with the goal of reducing Vermont’s recidivism rate and supporting workforce development, and is supported by a federal grant from the Department of Justice and the office of Sen. Bernie Sanders.
“Research shows education, particularly at a college level, strengthens the workforce and gives individuals the tools they need to succeed — and stay — in our communities,” said Nicholas Deml, commissioner of the Department of Corrections.
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—press release
Old Christmas Trees Wanted
The Montpelier Parks and Trees Department has announced that folks can drop off unadorned Christmas trees at the Country Club Road site throughout January.
“All trees will get a second life in the Ice on Fire festival in February.”
“Trees can be dropped off in the designated area at the back of the Country Club Road parking lot overlooking the former golf course,” noted a department email.
Would you rather feed a goat? Check out what the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District suggests for tree disposal, including finding a local goat to munch your old balsam fir. Whatever you do with it, make sure there’s no tinsel, ribbons, or other ornaments on the tree before dropping it off. For more information, go to cvswmd.org/christmas-trees.
—Cassandra Hemenway
Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity joins the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and joins observances around the world to remember his life of service. He and Rosalynn Carter have served as Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers over the 35 years they helped to build affordable housing with the organization.
“I’m touched by the tributes following President Carter’s passing. His work helped make Habitat for Humanity one of the world’s most beloved and recognizable organizations, making it easier for us to recruit volunteers and raise funds for our mission of building affordable housing in partnership with income-sensitive people. It’s an honor to be part of an organization that meant so much to him, and the more I learn about him, the more I think we should all strive to live by his example,” said Zachariah Watson, executive director of Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity.
“I think every human being has within himself or herself a desire to reach out to others and to share some of our blessings with those who are in need,” President Carter has said. “What’s opened up that avenue for me and my wife and hundreds and thousands of others is Habitat for Humanity. It makes it easy for us to reach out and work side by side with the homeowner who’s never had a decent house, perhaps. I haven’t been on a Habitat project that I wasn’t thrilled and inspired, and wept.”
Over the last three decades, the Carter Work Project has touched lives around the world by inspiring more than 108,000 volunteers across the U.S. and in 14 countries to build, renovate, and repair 4,447 Habitat homes. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has served more than 62 million people around the world.
—press release
The Friends of the Aldrich Library hope a special January fund raiser will brighten up Barre homes during what is often a gloomy part of the year. The group has announced that it has been selected as a nonprofit partner in the Hannaford “Bloomin’ 4 Good” Program for January 2025.
For every specially marked Bloomin’ 4 Good bouquet purchased through Jan. 31 at the Hannaford grocery store at 456 South Barre Road, the Friends will receive a $1 donation from Hannaford. Look for the red circle sticker on the bouquet to make sure it qualifies for support of the Friends.
Anyone is welcome to join the Friends by attending a monthly meeting, generally on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Milne Room. To learn more, call President Pamela Murphy at 814-944-5900.
—press release
The Montpelier Chamber Orchestra, in collaboration with the Montpelier Community Gospel Choir and Shidaa Projects, presents a MLK, Jr. commemorative concert on Sunday, Jan. 19, in downtown Montpelier at the City Hall Arts Center from 4 to 6 p.m.
The goal of the event is to honor the work of Dr. King and celebrate his legacy through the arts. We will showcase songs and compositions by African American artists, enjoy Ghana dance and drumming, and feature BIPOC musicians, dancers, and singers on the stage, with special musical guest Michael Arnowitt. Join us for a grounding and uplifting experience, including a community sing along, energizing dance and drumming, and world class music interspersed with stories of African American history and social justice. The event will be livestreamed to those who cannot attend in person.
Program details include:
Fifty-five performers will present work over two hours.
The Montpelier Community Gospel Choir will be singing songs of the civil rights movement.
Shidaa Projects will perform West African-style dancing and drumming featuring International award winning Samuel Maama Marquaye accompanied by the Shidaa drumming team led by artistic director Jordan Mensah.
The Montpelier Chamber Orchestra strings will present works of African American composers, including Matthew Evan Taylor and Florence Price.
Michael Arnowitt, pianist, will play the works of African American composers, civil rights music, as well as a piece he composed in honor of George Floyd.
Reverend Joan Javier Duval will lead a grounding invocation and share her legacy tour experience. Verdis Levar Robinson will serve as master of ceremonies, with a background as both a Unitarian Universalist Minister and a professor of African American studies.
The event will be ticketed, with adult tickets at $20, senior tickets at $15, and children 18 and under free. There is not currently a working elevator at City Hall Arts Center. ORCA Media will livestream the event to accommodate those who cannot manage the steep steps.
For more information, visit mcovt.org/ programs-2024-2025
Tickets are available at sevendaystickets.com/events/we-shall-overcome-an-mlk-commemorative-event-1-19-2025 or at the door by cash or check if still available.
—press release
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