Strengthening Families, Building Community
A North Chapel Initiative
Vision: One community where all can thrive.
Mission: To provide experiences, relationships, and resources that advance equal access to holistic wellness for all within the broader Woodstock & Windsor communities–especially children, youth, and families–by working in collaboration with partner organizations and networks.
March 2021 Report
In September 2016, I shifted my employment from part-time Office Administrator at the North Chapel to a full-time role that included outreach work in our community. That effort led to our “Strengthening Families, Building Community” initiative. Four and a half years later, we can say with great satisfaction that we established many valuable programs, helped dozens—maybe even hundreds—of individuals and families to feel more connected to their community, built bridges across our community, expanded the reach of the North Chapel, and created so many positive memories, which I will cherish for the rest of my life.
With our current grant-funding period coming to an end and in recognition of funding limitations resulting from COVID-19, the NC Board and I agreed that it made sense to think about making a transition. Our goals were to find a way to continue to support these programs going forward and to allow me to create a sustainable and financially secure situation for me and my children.
Happily, through the great partnerships we’ve forged over the last several years, we can report that the SF,BC legacy will continue in our community! Although it is bitter-sweet for me to let things go, I am so glad that many of these unique and wonderful programs that support children, youth and families will still continue to make a difference in so many lives.
The other good news is that I will return to my roots working in the “for-profit” world, in a senior management role at Blake Hill Preserves, located in Windsor, VT. Success! Thankfully, this job allows my children and me to stay in this community. I will move from being an employee of the North Chapel to being a member! I look forward to seeing you all in person again some time soon!
So, here is a look at the legacy the North Chapel has created and how we will be passing along this great work!
Divorce Support Group: Bi-weekly peer led divorce and separation support group will continue with the leadership of Blakeley Murrel-Liland, under the North Chapel umbrella. We have over 55 folks signed up on our email list and we run a private Facebook group for sharing and connection between meetings. For questions or to join the group email dsgvtnh@gmail.com.
Playgroup: This is one of the most exciting programs we helped to create. It started with an idea: a pilot 4-week summer collaborative playgroup. We wanted to host it at Safford Commons and we wanted to establish partnership with other agencies that worked with children and families. So between us at the North Chapel, Mt. Ascutney’s Community Health Team (Courtney McKaig), The Family Place (Tia Howard) and Norman Williams Public Library (Clare and Lori), we launched Woodstock Playgroup in July 2019. The demand was there and the parents/caregivers asked us to please keep the playgroup going! Our playgroup is still thriving and we’ve gained new membership, even through a pandemic!
What was a 4-week trial Playgroup is now an official initiative of the Community Health Improvement Plan: Strengthening Families Collective Impact Workgroup. It was determined that this type of collaborative playgroup, grounded in the Strengthening Families Framework, would help “to enhance Social Connectedness with families in our region.”
To date we have:Created a dynamic SF Playgroup Action Workgroup of stakeholders from various sectors such as Parent Child Centers, Libraries, State, Early Childhood Advocates, Hospitals and Foundations to plan for the growth of and enhanced quality of these SF Playgroups.
Developed an extensive Standards Tool and Guidebook.
Developed a map of current playgroup/story time offerings in our regions and identified other communities and community partners to connect with.
Started a second SF Playgroup “Windsor Walks Playgroup” where we partnered with MAH, Springfield Area Parent Child Center and the Windsor Library. We used the RiseVT “Windsor Walks” walking loop as well.
Collaborated with our community partners to adjust to COVID-19 limitations and created a bi-weekly regional zoom playgroup, inviting special guests to join each session. eg. Music Together Demo, Baby Sign Language etc.
This work will now continue even though our SF,BC initiative will no longer be one of the leaders. The goal is to start at least 3 other SF Playgroups in our region within the next couple of years.
FREE The Clothes/Coats/Trees! Another awesome program that we created over the last three years, with community partnership and community members supporting each other. Working in collaboration with partners such as Ottauquechee Health Foundation, Mt. Ascutney Hospital, Ottauquechee Health Center, Woodstock Rec Center, NWPL, ArtisTree Community Arts Center and the Woodstock Elementary School we created opportunities for community members to donate clothing and coats that, in turn, were offered back to community members for free! At Christmas time, the Woodstock Rotary and the Woodstock Farmers’ Market donated Christmas Trees that we, in turn, donated to members in our community who could use a little holiday cheer!
We are so pleased to announce that Ottauquechee Health Foundation will take on the leadership of these programs! Thank you, OHF, Beth and Tayo!
Yoga with Amy! North Chapel will continue to host “Yoga with Amy”. This is a wonderful FREE yoga class offered by Amy Wheeler. Look out for more information on NEW day and time!
Woodstock Visioning “Our Woodstock, Our Future”: This is a project that I have been working on since its inception a few years ago. It has been important to me that this work and the voices of our community are held up and that we don’t let the information we gathered through this visioning process go to waste. With new town management, we recently have started to bring the team together again and get to work on bringing the wishes of our community into fruition. Thankfully, Tayo Kirchoff of OHF agrees that this work is vital and she will be continuing on in a leadership role to keep this work moving forward. Thank you, Tayo.
Woodstock Area Relief Fund: With need not as severe as it had been over the last year, I have been slowly pulling back from WARF. This work continues and will soon be entering into phase with some great leadership.
Spiritual Exploration: While COVID-19 really interfered with our SE plans for this year, Rev. Leon will be leading the efforts to keep going through this current SE year. We look forward to COVID restrictions being lifted and lots more opportunities to connect with kiddos and families.
Respectfully,
Geraldine Fowler
February 2021 Report
Wow, I can’t believe how fast these months are going by! This has been a pretty good month in terms of the SF,BC program. It was fun to prepare for and be part of the North Chapel’s Annual Meeting at the end of January. It is always a rich experience to reflect on what we accomplished over the previous year. This year having dealt with so many challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic – but reflecting on how many times we had to pivot and how many times we were still able to meet our goals and then some – really felt like something to be proud of.
Here are a couple of things we have been working on to help folks stay connected and feel supported during these times:
Woodstock Area:
Divorce Support Group: We continued to meet twice a month via zoom. Our email group size continues to grow and we now have 55 folks signed up. We average between 6-10 folks per meeting. We also continue to maintain the Upper Valley Divorce Support Group Facebook page where we share motivational quotes, articles and questions.
Playgroup: We continue to offer a REGIONAL ZOOM PLAYGROUP with our partners. These partners include The Family Place, Springfield Area Parent Child Center and Mt. Ascutney Hospital. Each playgroup follows a schedule and will have an invited guest/topic expert. To date we have had a baby sign language expert, a Doula/Infant care specialist, infant/child nutritionist and even a Music Together Demo!
Woodstock Area Relief Fund: With the new year and WARF going into a new phase of organization, I am phasing out of my case manager duties. I continue to work with my previously assigned returning applicants and the childcare cases that I am working with. It has been an absolute pleasure to work as one of the case managers on this relief fund.
Free The Coats: Our 3rd Annual Free the Coats continues! All the remaining coats are now located in the lobby at the Ottauquechee Health Center. Coats and other winter goodies will stay there throughout the season or as long as we have supplies.
Our community partners include Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Ottauquechee Health Center (OHC), Ottauquechee Health Foundation, Woodstock Elementary School (WES), Norman Williams Public Library, ArtisTree Community Arts Center and of course the North Chapel.
Community Wide:
Community Health Improvement Plan: I continue my work as a co-leader of the Strengthening Families (SF) Collective Impact Workgroup. I am also the facilitator of the subsequent Action Teams that have been created out of the SF work. One group is actively working on developing quality playgroups around the Mt Ascutney Hospital service area (Woodstock and Windsor playgroups are the pilots). The second Action Team is working on collaborating with area partners to assist in creating a regional approach to the parent education class called “Circle of Security”. We are also working on ways to include an element of “Social Connectedness” to the training.
I am also a workgroup member of the Food Security workgroup.
We held our bi-annual CONVENING of all the Workgroups last week and had a really great, successful gathering of folks who are part of the 6 workgroups as well as interested stakeholders and community members. The workgroups include: Strengthening Families, alcohol and substance misuse, housing, food security, spiritual health, and senior health.
This is just a little bit of what we have been working on.
Spiritual Exploration:
Here’s some of the cool opportunities we have coming up for the parents, caregivers and children:
Family-Based Spiritual Exploration: Leon and I have met up a few families via zoom in a one-on-one format to discuss their current SE needs. We will continue to meet with families throughout the year in this way. If you would like to meet with Rev. Leon and I for a Family-Based Spiritual Exploration session, please do contact me to schedule an appointment.
In response to Capitol Riots – UU Parenting Check-in: On Thursday January 14th at 4pm, Rev. Leon and I held space for an open discussion around and in response to the Capitol Riots.
Monthly Parent Check-ins – First Wednesdays at 8pm: Leon and I continue to host Monthly Parent Check Ins on the first Wednesday of every month at 8pm!
Facebook Group: We have a private Facebook Group for the parents signed up for the 2020-2021 Spiritual Exploration group. If you are interested in joining the group, please search “North Chapel Spiritual Exploration Group” or this link might work: https://www.facebook.com/groups/289824028054854
Black Lives Matter Vigils: While we originally planned on attending these Vigils weekly, due to Governors orders, these events are suspended. I will let you know when we are able to do them again.
Monthly Outdoor Gatherings: We had planned on getting together outside at least once a month, but due to Governors orders, these events are on hold. In person gatherings will have to wait for now to do our part to keep ourselves, our families and our community safe!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, Geraldine Fowler at geraldine@sfbcvt.org.
Respectfully, Geraldine Fowler
January 2021 Report:
Wishing you all a wonderful 2021!! SF,BC work took a little break over the holidays but we still managed to get a lot of good work done!
Here are a couple of things we have been working on to help folks stay connected and feel supported during these times:
Woodstock Area:
Divorce Support Group: We continued to meet twice a month via zoom. Our email group size grew by one again this month and we now have 54 folks signed up. We average between 6-10 folks per meeting. We also continue to maintain the Upper Valley Divorce Support Group Facebook page where we share motivational quotes, articles and questions.
Playgroup: With our partners for both Woodstock and Windsor Playgroups, The Family Place, Springfield Area Parent Child Center and Mt. Ascutney Hospital we shifted our walking groups into bi-weekly joint REGIONAL zoom playgroups. Each playgroup follows a schedule and will have an invited guest/topic expert. To date we have had a baby sign language expert and a Doula/Infant care specialist come and talk to the group. Coming up we have a “picky eaters” discussion and a Music Together demo.
Woodstock Area Relief Fund: With the new year and WARF going into a new phase of organization, I will begin to phase out of my case manager duties. I will continue to work with my previously assigned returning applicants and the childcare cases that I am working with. It has been an absolute pleasure to work as one of the case managers on this relief fund.
Free The Coats: Our 3rd Annual Free the Coats continues! All the remaining coats are now located in the lobby at the Ottauquechee Health Center. Coats and other winter goodies will stay there throughout the season or as long as we have supplies.
Our community partners include Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Ottauquechee Health Center (OHC), Ottauquechee Health Foundation, Woodstock Elementary School (WES), Norman Williams Public Library, ArtisTree Community Arts Center and of course the North Chapel.
Community Wide:
Community Health Improvement Plan: I continue my work as a co-leader of the Strengthening Families (SF) Collective Impact Workgroup. I am also the facilitator of the subsequent Action Teams that have been created out of the SF work. One group is actively working on developing quality playgroups around the Mt Ascutney Hospital service area (Woodstock and Windsor playgroups are the pilots). The second Action Team is working on collaborating with area partners to assist in creating a regional approach to the parent education class called “Circle of Security”. We are also working on ways to include an element of “Social Connectedness” to the training.
This is just a little bit of what we have been working on.
Spiritual Exploration:
Here’s some of the cool opportunities we have coming up for the parents, caregivers and children:
Family-Based Spiritual Exploration: Leon and I have met up a few families via zoom in a one-on-one format to discuss their current SE needs. We will continue to meet with families throughout out the year in this way. If you would like to meet with Rev. Leon and I for a Family-Based Spiritual Exploration session, please do contact me to schedule an appointment.
In response to Capitol Riots – UU Parenting Check-in: On Thursday January 14th at 4pm, Rev. Leon and I held space for an open discussion around and in response to the Capitol Riots.
Monthly Parent Check-ins – First Wednesdays at 8pm: Leon and I continue to host Monthly Parent Check Ins on the first Wednesday of every month at 8pm!
Facebook Group: We have a private Facebook Group for the parents signed up for the 2020-2021 Spiritual Exploration group. If you are interested in joining the group, please search “North Chapel Spiritual Exploration Group” or this link might work: https://www.facebook.com/groups/289824028054854
Christmas Eve: Thank you to the families who participated in this years online Christmas Eve service. Thank you Diane for putting together a beautiful service including the children!!
Black Lives Matter Vigils: While we originally planned on attending these Vigils weekly, due to Governors orders, these events are suspended. I will let you know when we are able to do them again.
Monthly Outdoor Gatherings: We had planned on getting together outside at least once a month, but due to Governors orders, these events are on hold. In person gatherings will have to wait for now to do our part to keep ourselves, our families and our community safe!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, Geraldine Fowler at geraldine@sfbcvt.org.
Respectfully,
Geraldine Fowler
December 2020 Report:
Another very quick month in the books! This last month has been a little difficult due to the increased restrictions for our State around COVID-19 safety. We had to cancel all in person activities such as playgroups in Woodstock and Windsor as well as our monthly in person Divorce Support Group, but in normal style, we managed to adapt to the changing circumstances!
Here are a couple of things we have been working on to help folks stay connected and feel supported during these times:
Woodstock Area:
Divorce Support Group: We continued to meet twice a month via zoom. Our email group size grew by one this month and we now have 53 folks signed up. We average between 6-10 folks per meeting. We also continue to maintain the Upper Valley Divorce Support Group Facebook page where we share motivational quotes, articles and questions.
Playgroup: With our partners for both Woodstock and Windsor Playgroups, The Family Place, Springfield Area Parent Child Center and Mt. Ascutney Hospital we shifted our walking groups into bi-weekly joint zoom playgroups. Each playgroup follows a schedule and will have an invited guest/topic expert. As I mentioned last month, we received funding to support a “Parent Ambassador” position who helps provide the “parent perspective” and also helps with planning, marketing etc.
Woodstock Area Relief Fund: I continue on as one of four case managers helping folks who have been financially affected by COVID-19, focusing right now on folks who need assistance with childcare costs due to their children not being in school full time.
Free The Coats: Our 3rd Annual Free the Coats! Has been tremendously successful. Loads of coats have been donated and many, many coats finding their new zest on life. With school closing for the Holiday Break, we have now moved all the remaining coats to the lobby at the Ottauquechee Health Center. Coats and other winter goodies will stay there throughout the season or as long as we have supplies.
Our community partners include Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Ottauquechee Health Center (OHC), Ottauquechee Health Foundation, Woodstock Elementary School (WES), Norman Williams Public Library, ArtisTree Community Arts Center and of course the North Chapel.Free The Trees: The 3rd Annual Free the Trees Initiative was small this year. Tree supplies were limited, but we did receive a donation of 3 trees from the Woodstock Farmers Market that found very happy homes!
Free the Turkeys? Upper Valley Haven had extra turkeys leftover this year, so we managed to help find homes for over 10 turkeys in our community.
Woodstock Pharmacy Donation: We received a wonderful donation of an assorted of goodies from the Woodstock Pharmacy when it closed. I was able to put these items out on display and welcomed The Thompson Senior Center, Mt. Ascutney Hospital Representative, Ottauquechee Health Foundation and other groups to take what they could use for their patrons. We managed to help a number of people this holiday season and still have a number of goodies left over that we will continue to use to spread cheer through our community.
Community Wide:
Community Health Improvement Plan: I continue my work as a co-leader of the Strengthening Families (SF) Collective Impact Workgroup. I am also the facilitator of the subsequent Action Teams that have been created out of the SF work. One group is actively working on developing quality playgroups around the Mt Ascutney Hospital service area (Woodstock and Windsor playgroups are the pilots). The second Action Team is working on collaborating with area partners to assist in creating a regional approach to the parent education class called “Circle of Security”. We are also working on ways to include an element of “Social Connectedness” to the training.
This is just a little bit of what we have been working on.
Spiritual Exploration:
Its been a very different year in SE this year. Most parents are pretty maxed out with just navigating the new schooling models and parenting through COVID, so our main focus has been to be supportive to families needs.
Here’s some of the cool opportunities we have coming up for the parents, caregivers and children:
Family-Based Spiritual Exploration: Leon and I have met up a few families via zoom in a one-on-one format to discuss their current SE needs. We will continue to meet with families throughout out the year in this way. If you would like to meet with Rev. Leon and I for a Family-Based Spiritual Exploration session, please do contact me to schedule an appointment.
UU Parenting Check-in: On Sunday November 22nd at 10am, Rev. Leon and I hosted an open discussion around spiritual needs of children etc via zoom. A few families attended and we had a good opportunity to connect.
Monthly Parent Check-ins – First Wednesdays at 8pm: Leon and I also hosted our First Monthly Parent Check In on December 2nd. This was also hosted via Zoom. A few parents checked in for another great discussion which continued to highlight that many parents are overwhelmed with the current situation. We look forward to conintuning these monthly check ins. FIRST WEDNESDAY of the month at 8pm.
Facebook Group: We have a private Facebook Group for the parents signed up for the 2020-2021 Spiritual Exploration group. If you are interested in joining the group, please search “North Chapel Spiritual Exploration Group” or this link might work: https://www.facebook.com/groups/289824028054854
North Chapel Sunday Service Welcome: Thank you to Kristen and Ella who assisted with the Welcoming on December 13th. We will continue to look for opportunities where parent and children can participate in services!
Black Lives Matter Vigils: While we originally planned on attending these Vigils weekly, due to Governors orders, these events are suspended. I will let you know when we are able to do them again.
Monthly Outdoor Gatherings: We had planned on getting together outside at least once a month, but due to Governors orders, these events are on hold. In person gatherings will have to wait for now to do our part to keep ourselves, our families and our community safe!
Christmas Eve: Thank you to the families who participated in this years online Christmas Eve service. I can’t wait to see how it has all come together. Thank you Diane!! Thanks.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, Geraldine Fowler at geraldine@sfbcvt.org.
Respectfully, Geraldine Fowler
November 2020 Report:
It’s incredible to think another month has gone by and we are very close to celebrating Thanksgiving! Despite the ever changing health and safety rules, our outreach initiatives continue!
Here are a couple of things we have been working on to help folks stay connected and feel supported during these times:
Woodstock Area:
– Divorce Support Group: We had moved to meeting once a month in person and once a month online via zoom, but with the new regulations we are now meeting twice a month via zoom. Our email group size grew by two this month and we now have 52 folks signed up although not all of these folks attend the group each time, we average between 6-10 folks per meeting. We also continue to maintain the Upper Valley Divorce Support Group Facebook page where we share motivational quotes, articles and questions.
– Playgroup: With our partners, The Family Place and Mt. Ascutney our Wednesday Morning Playgroup had continued as a “Walking Playgroup”. We had just recently received grant funding through Building Bright Futures to hire a Playgroup Parent Ambassador to help us promote playgroups and to join meetings as a “lived-experience expert. With the new state guidelines, we have now had to shift our focus again and will be moving back to an online playgroup model. Our Parent Ambassador has offered to help with at-home content to continue to help the families stay connected.
– Woodstock Area Relief Fund: I continue on as one of four case managers helping folks who have been financially affected by COVID-19. I have gotten to know many new families and always in awe of how resilient folks can be. I am currently focusing on the cases that involve childcare so parents and caregivers can continue to work.
– Free The Coats: Last month it was a big IF we could pull this off and I am pleased to say we have pulled off the 3rd Annual Free The Coats and it is thriving! Our community partners include Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Ottauquechee Health Center( OHC), Ottauquechee Health Foundation, Woodstock Elementary School (WES), Norman Williams Public Library, ArtisTree Community Arts Center and of course the North Chapel. Coats are being donated and set up for folks to take for FREE from both the OHC and WES. We also received a large donation of NEW jackets from DHMC. First Congregational church of Woodstock hosted a Coat Drive and they donated over 60 coats to our Free The Coats initiative. OHF has promoted a knitting drive and we have received a number of donations of new knitted hats and gloves to give away as well.
– Free The Trees: We have also begun work on our 3rd Annual Free the Trees Initiative. As in the past, OHF, OHC and ourselves work together to identify families/individuals who may need a little holiday cheer and we donate a Christmas tree to these families or individuals. Trees in the past have been donated to us from the Rotary and Woodstock Farmers Market. We have once again asked for donation from both of these organizations and are waiting to hear back.
Windsor Area:
– Windsor Walks Playgroup: In partnership with Mt Ascutney Hospital and Springfield Area Parent Child Center, our “Windsor Walks Playgroup” has continued and grown in membership, albeit slowly, which is to be expected. This playgroup was meeting in person every Friday where we would walk around Windsor using the “Windsor Walks” Trail guides set up by Rise VT. Due to the new recommendations from the Governor, we will be moving to an online platform after Thanksgiving. As we did in Woodstock, we also recently received grant funding through Building Bright Futures to hire a Playgroup Parent Ambassador to help us promote playgroups and to join meetings as a “lived-experience expert. We will continue to work with these Ambassadors to help us work through the best way to stay connected with families and be supportive during these days of physical distancing. Photo: last week we got to watch the fire fighters training!! Much excitement.
Windsor Free The Clothes: In September we hosted the 1st Free The Clothes in Windsor. We helped clothe about 70 + kids. We had about 14 volunteers help over the few days leading up to and day of the event. We had about 30 boxes of clothing that were left over. We donated much of this to the Bridgewater Thrift Store so that these clothes and funds will stay within our larger community. We also had a number of winter coats and boots left over that we donated to the school in Windsor.
Community Wide:
– Community Health Improvement Plan: I continue my work as a co-leader of the Strengthening Families (SF) Collective Impact Workgroup. I am also the facilitator of the subsequent Action Teams that have been created out of the SF work. One group is actively working on developing quality playgroups around the Mt. Ascutney Hospital service area (Woodstock and Windsor playgroups are the pilots). The second Action Team is working on collaborating with area partners to assist in creating a regional approach to the parent education class called “Circle of Security”. We are also working on ways to include an element of “Social Connectedness” to the training.
This is just a little bit of what we have been working on.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, Geraldine Fowler at geraldine@sfbcvt.org.
Respectfully, Geraldine Fowler
October 2020 Report:
With the start of the school year in September; many parents, caregivers and children have been under an awful lot of stress. It has been difficult for parents to make decisions around what choice is best for their family in terms of schooling and work. For children in the school system, families have been given a choice of attending school either in a hybrid model (a couple/few days a week in person and rest of the week online) with other options including a full off-campus option (homeschooling or virtual learning) and for those who are considered “essential workers” such as teachers and medical workers, children can attend school 5 days a week. There is a “hub” option that was created called “The Community Campus” where children can attend a safe and well rounded educational facility on their non-school days, although this is an option that comes with a price tag
For the children this is a seismic shift. There is little routine that they have been used to, children are wearing masks throughout their school days and even during sports. Social time is limited and for many playdates are a thing of the past!
While it seems there is so much doom and gloom, it is also amazing to me just how resilient we parents, children and community can be! My teenage children and I went pumpkin picking this last weekend which is something we do traditionally each Fall, usually there would be a wagon ride and lots of yummy goodies to snack on which we didn’t get this time, but we were still met with the same smiling faces (under masks), we got to chat with local folks (socially distanced and masked) and then pick out our pumpkins, pay and be on our merry way. There was something reassuring about this. The kids and I spoke on the way home about just how dramatically our lives have changed since March 2020, yet how so many things have adapted to still keep our certain traditions or connections going. In a way it seems seamless but we know that in reality it isn’t. It is a lot of work! And we are so resilient! As a community we are moving with all these changes, we are sometimes hitting a wall and feeling frustrated or angry but we are getting back and trying and growing each day. My hat off to all of you who are trying, struggling and still continue to try!! I see you!
I feel so grateful that we, as a community, have this vehicle “Strengthening Families, Building Community” that has also been able to adapt to these ever changing times. For me leading this initiative it can be exhausting and sometimes frustrating and yet, also heartwarming and encouraging and a respite from much of what is going on in the world. Here are a couple of things we have been working on to help folks stay connected and feel supported during these times:
Woodstock Area:
Divorce Support Group: We meet once a month in person and once a month via zoom. The zoom option has been great in that we have attracted folks who do not even live in our area yet are going through a transition and seeking support.
Playgroup: With our partners, The Family Place and Mt. Ascutney our Wednesday Morning Playgroup continues as a “Walking Playgroup”. We have enjoyed visits to Billings Farm to see the cows and also to the gorgeous Community Gardens sponsored by Sustainable Woodstock and lovingly organized by Linda Galvao. Well done Linda! We are currently working with area partners such as ArtisTree Community Arts Center to see how we might be able to safely continue playgroups throughout the winter.
Woodstock Area Relief Fund: I continue on as one of four case managers helping folks who have been financially affected by COVID-19. I have gotten to know many new families and always in awe of how resilient folks can be. I am currently focusing on the cases that involve childcare so parents and caregivers can continue to work.
Free The Coats: We have begun conversations to see IF we can safely offer our 3rd Annual coat exchange program this year. We have partners who are still interested in being part of this program again, yet there are many details that need to be worked out. More info on this will be coming.
Windsor Area:
Windsor Walks Playgroup: In partnership with Mt Ascutney Hospital and Springfield Area Parent Child Center, we have officially launched the “Windsor Walks Playgroup”. This playgroup meets every Friday and we take a walk around Windsor using the “Windsor Walks” Trail guides set up by Rise VT.
Windsor Free The Clothes: In September we hosted the 1st Free The Clothes in Windsor. We helped clothe about 70 + kids. We had about 14 volunteers help over the few days leading up to and day of event. We have about 30 boxes of clothing that is left over that we will donate to local agencies such as Bridgewater Thrift Store so that these clothes and funds will stay within our larger community.
Community Wide:
Community Health Improvement Plan: I continue my work as a co-leader of the Strengthening Families (SF) Collective Impact Workgroup. I am also the facilitator of the subsequent Action Teams that have been created out of the SF work. One group is actively working on developing quality playgroups around the Mt Ascutney Hospital service area (Woodstock and Windsor playgroups are the pilots). The second Action Team is working on collaborating with area partners to assist in creating a regional approach to the parent education class called “Circle of Security”. We are also working on ways to include an element of “Social Connectedness” to the training.
This is just a little bit of what we have been working on. Our Spiritual Exploration Group is also forming for the 2020-2021 year. It looks different this year and Rev. Leon and I are figuring things out as we go along but it has been an incredible opportunity so far, connecting with folks and finding ways to keep connections going safely has been very rewarding. About a month ago a number of families joined in and helped with the trail work at the Ottauquechee River Loop Trail. See photo. More info about our SE year coming up soon.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, Geraldine Fowler at geraldine@sfbcvt.org.
Respectfully, Geraldine Fowler
August 2020 Report:
Submitted by Geraldine Fowler
To say the last five months have been challenging for many children and families in our community, could be seen as an understatement. Life as we all knew it dramatically shifted in March which left children suddenly out of school, parents either now without work and trying to find ways to make ends meet or trying to juggle work, homeschooling and childcare while dealing with the uncertainties of COVID-19 and the ever changing information, rules, restrictions and more.
For me and my community partners who work with children, youth and families we knew it was imperative to do what we could to help families through this journey, understanding that physical distancing COULDN’T mean Social Distancing… because SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS is a cornerstone to all of our mental health! But how do you keep Social Connection, during a pandemic, while there are Stay-at-Home orders? It has been challenging and at times, heartbreaking when you know your friends and neighbors are in need but there is very little you can do to help.
Thankfully there were still some things we could do. Once our in-person activities were cancelled we shifted what we could online.
We moved Divorce Support Group from being held in person twice a month to weekly via zoom. Many of our newly divorced and living along folks felt very isolated so it felt good to move the meetings to weekly to keep connection. We also started a private Facebook group so folks could keep in touch throughout the week, ask questions and share resources.
Our playgroup that was flourishing right before COVID, moved over to Zoom as well, where we would check in with the parents and caregivers and through the camera watch the little ones grow. We offered “specials” such as a nutrition expert to discuss food challenges with babies and toddlers. We were told that through the craziness of these new parents’ weeks of being stuck at home, Wednesday morning playgroup became a welcome weekly ritual to prepare for.
Due to my role as a board member on the Woodstock Community Trust, I was so grateful to be part of the founding 19 volunteers to get the Woodstock Area Relief Fund (WARF) up and running. I also became one of the four case managers working specifically with applicants with children in the house. I have been able to connect with many families to help them access both financial resources through WARF and other programs such as 3Squares, Woodstock Area Food Shelf, Women’s Health Resource Center and more.
Thankfully our work of “Strengthening Families” is a supportive group that works very closely together, especially through our Community Health Improvement Plan – Strengthening Families Collective Impact Group. This group was able to really come together through this time of uncertainty and share resources, struggles and wins that really helped us to not get completely overwhelmed.
As the months have passed, it’s been encouraging to witness just how resilient parents, children and families can be. It’s also been incredible to be part of this process of “opening up” and connecting in person again when it is safe to do so.
Our Woodstock Area Playgroup has now been meeting in person for a number of weeks. We meet at the back lawn of the North Chapel, we wear masks and physically distance ourselves and we take walks around Woodstock, while talking and catching up with each other. (here is a photo of one of our first gatherings after the Stay-at-home orders were lifted). We are now working on a partnership with Springfield Area Parent Child Center and Mt. Ascutney to bring a Windsor Baby Walkers playgroup to Windsor, VT.
Divorce Support Group moved back to meeting twice a month. One meeting a month in person, also at the back lawn of the North Chapel, masked and physically distanced, the other still via zoom for those who are unable to make in person visits.
For a little while I didn’t think it was going to be possible, but thanks to incredible community partners, we were able to hold our 3rd Annual Summer In Your Backyard at Safford Commons. A free offering, open to all children in our community up to grade 6. We offered 6 sessions, each two hours long featuring different community organizations such as a Hike up to the Pogue with a Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park Ranger, a Live Raptor Encounter with Vins and Arts with ArtisTree… Thanks to our community partners for making this possible: ArtisTree Community Arts Center, Ottauquechee Health Foundation, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Care Center, Twin Pines Housing, MBR National Park, Norman Williams Public Library, Kings Daughters, Amy Wheeler and Susan Mordecai. We had a total of 14 children sign up to be part of the fun!!
This last weekend in collaboration with a number of organizations, we hosted the 2nd Annual FREE The Clothes – Back to School Edition. We had over 20 volunteers make this possible and clothed about 200 children ranging from brith to teen. A huge success. All left over clothes have been sent to Windsor where we will be working with community partners in Windsor to bring their community its first FREE The Clothes event. “Free-The-Clothes” is a collaborative event between Ottauquechee Health Foundation, Woodstock Recreation Center, Mount Ascutney Hospital Community Health Team, Ottauquechee Health Center, ArtisTree Community Arts Center and the North Chapel under the umbrella of the “Strengthening Families, Building Community” Collaborative Initiative.
There is still much work to do and so much uncertainty as parents, caregivers and children navigate whether or not to return to school this fall. How they will manage homeschooling and work, but what I have found over these last few months, is that we are an incredibly strong and resilient community and I know we will continue to support one another.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, Geraldine Fowler at geraldine@sfbcvt.org .
Respectfully, Geraldine Fowler
May 2020 Report:
Submitted by Geraldine Fowler
As many of you know, shortly after our “Stay Home” orders were received, my role shifted from being split between administrative duties and outreach work to predominantly outreach work (Strengthening Families, Building Community), in part, thanks to a grant from the Mount Ascutney Hospital – Community Health Team, and funds raised specifically for our Strengthening Families, Building Community Initative.
I have since then spent a lot of my time:
1) Adjusting our current programs into virtual programs and/or other variations of online options.
2) I am one of the 19 core members of the Woodstock Area Relief Fund (WARF) and play a small role on the Windsor Area Relief Fund.
3) I am one of 4 Case Managers working on WARF, working predominantly with applicants who have children in their household.
4) Working on expanding our programs and partnerships into Windsor and surrounding towns (specifically working with Mt. Ascutney and Springfield Parent Child Center to bring a Collaborative, Strengthening Families Playgroup to the Windsor area).
5) COVID-19 response for Children and Families (eg. Beyond Academics: working with area partners to find ways to provide respite care for children & families during the pandemic), Summer Camp collaborative (Mt. Ascutney Hospital, Department of Health and Summer Camp organizations to discuss HOW to open as many summer camps in our region as possible) and other initiatives.
I have also been reallocating many of my administrative duties to some wonderful volunteers in our community. Thank you to all those who have helped, including Joanne Boyle, Jenny Gelfan, Marcia Peterson & Deb Rice (and many more folks).
I continue to work with the children, youth and families connected with the North Chapel. Some programs we have instituted include:
1) SE KIDDO Check in: Wednesdays at 2pm on Zoom
2) North Chapel Parents/Caregivers “Whining Hour”: 8pm on Zoom
3) CTWK and SE Memorial Day Gardening Party: Sunday May 24th at 10am at ArtisTree for physically distanced gardening with CTWK.
4) Many more opportunities are coming up… Stay Tuned!
