(802) 651-8889, 152 Pearl St, Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 651-8889, 152 Pearl St, Burlington, VT 05401
Transforming People and Communities
(802) 651-8889, 152 Pearl St, Burlington, VT 05401
Transforming People and Communities
(802) 651-8889, 152 Pearl St, Burlington, VT 05401
Almost ten years ago, Vermont Interfaith Action prepared a framework for our action on behalf of Vermonters. We named it “Movement Toward a Moral Economy”. We arrived at a consensus of what constitutes a Moral Economy by holding up the teachings and traditions of our multiple faiths which provide tenets on which we can all agree. Honoring the dignity of all people and caring for the most vulnerable among us are the foundation of a Moral Economy and the budget for each fiscal year is the way we express it as a state.
The current budget for fiscal year 2025, as passed by the Senate and
currently being negotiated in conference committee, fails to provide the very basic human need of shelter for the most vulnerable among us. Senators stated the need to return to “a pre-pandemic budget reality” when the pre-pandemic reality of everything else has drastically changed. In the last year, faith congregations in Central Vermont have assisted an 81-year-old woman living on the steps of a church in Barre; a 72-year-old who, after multiple strokes, was discharged from the hospital into a cab with nowhere to go; a 70-year-old with early dementia without shelter during a state agency appeal process; a wheelchair-dependent person in their twenties sleeping outside; and many others sleeping outside through the winter. All found themselves without shelter because of the inflexible and complex rules set by our state government to limit the provision of shelter to those without housing. Churches and municipal governments cannot be the safety net when our state government policies fail to provide care.
There are currently about 1500 households receiving state-provided shelter in hotel rooms in Vermont because the household contains someone who is elderly, disabled, or a dependent child. The Senate budget contains a 1000 room cap on hotel rooms used as shelter beginning in September. The Senate offers no directive or funds to the administration to create more humane, effective and less costly alternatives to the current method of privatized hotel shelter. Who will decide which are the 500 households who must leave shelter in September when the 1000 hotel room cap goes into effect? The budget also includes a cap on the number of days people may
remain sheltered. Where will people go at the end of their 80 days of
eligibility, especially those needing oxygen, wheelchairs, and refrigerated medications? This is the post-pandemic reality. The shelters are full. Elder Care homes have closed. Nursing home beds are low because staffing is greatly reduced. Home services for those with disabilities are impossible to come by. Families are evicted as they can’t afford the steep and sudden increases in rent. The face of homelessness has changed, and all these people need and deserve to be continuously sheltered. There is nowhere for them to go. The economy of four years ago has changed dramatically. Our budget priorities must change dramatically as well.
We call on the legislature to enact a moral budget. Provide enough funds to create humane shelter for all. Require the administration to create safe, effective, and humane shelter that preserves the dignity of those without housing. Allocate the funds needed to create enough affordable housing to move people out of homelessness, and fund the financial and human service supports needed for them to remain successfully housed.
This is what a moral government would do.
~Rev. Beth Ann Maier on behalf of the Affordable Housing & Homelessness statewide organizing committee
Exciting news!
The local chapter of Vermont Interfaith Action, Bennington Organizing and Action (BOA), held a Public Action for Severe Weather Preparedness April 14th. The leaders of BOA have been researching shelter options for the Bennington area for the last 8 months. At the public action, they presented their research on the town's Local Emergency Management Plan and made several requests of public officials for improvements to be made to the plan. These requests included changes such as activation of the plan any time there is extreme heat or cold, as well as the identification of a downtown overnight shelter. The focus of the action was on ensuring that the needs of our most vulnerable populations are considered when planning for emergencies.
The research was well-received by the public in attendance and the elected officials present agreed to the majority of the requests.
The following week, the Bennington Select Board included the Local Emergency Management Plan on the agenda as well as the research report presented by BOA. The board ultimately agreed to all of BOA's requests and committed to making sure the changes are made in the next two months.
This was a huge first success for BOA and we're excited to see what comes next!
VIA’s long-time Executive Director, Rev. Debbie Ingram, has announced her retirement. Effective June 30, 2024, Debbie will end her 17-year tenure at VIA. Her plans are to enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation.
The Board and Staff of VIA are sad to see her go and most appreciative of her many accomplishments over almost two decades:
Debbie is leaving the organization in solid condition and will participate actively in the transition to new leadership. Deputy Director Melissa Battah, who has been with the organization for 13 years, will serve as Interim Director during the search process.
“As one of my favorite scripture passages* puts it,” says Debbie, “God says, ‘I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ I am sure that the God whom we know by many names will be right there with the best of intentions for all of us -- myself and VIA collectively -- during this period of change.”
*Jeremiah 29:11
The annual "Faith Climate Action Day" was held again at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, February 28th. VIA co-sponsored the event with Vermont Interfaith Power and Light, VPIRG (Vermont Public Interest Research Group) and VNRC (Vermont Natural Resources Council).
More than 30 youth, clergy and leaders gathered for a time of training and poster making before heading to the statehouse for a press conference on climate action issues that the groups are concerned with. The three pieces of legislation that our groups strongly support are the Climate Superfund Act, which would require money from fossil fuel companies to help address climate change; Renewable Energy Standards 2024, which would update the standards first set in 2015; and a Rate Payer Protection bill, which would help lower-income households make the transition to renewable energy without experiencing higher costs. After the press conference, leaders meet with House and Senate leadership as well as the Lt. Governor. The day concluded with individuals meeting with their elected officials.
VIA will continue to explore issues on Climate Action both at the state and local levels. If you are interested in joining this organizing committee or if you have any questions about the work, please contact Mike@viavt.org or leave a message at (802) 651-8889.
The Board, staff, and volunteers of Vermont Interfaith Action are heartbroken and horrified by the shooting of three Palestinian men in Burlington. Such violence and the hatred it represents has no place in our communities. As people of faith, we stand in compassion and solidarity with the young men who were targeted by this uncalled for and inexcusable action, and we pray for their full and speedy recovery. We are thankful for local law enforcement's apprehension of a suspect and urge them to investigate with vigor the possibility of a hate crime. We call upon all persons of good will to stand against hatred in any form and to treat everyone in our communities as human beings with the peace, dignity, and respect we each deserve.
On September 6th, 55 people hungry for justice in Vermont gathered to receive training in community organizing, hear about VIA's issue successes, build relationships, share a meal, and worship together.
The 8th Annual VIA Statewide Convention benefited from dozens of highly energized, participatory people, and the gathering added to their motivation and commitment.
Be sure to join us next year if you missed it! In the meantime, take a look at the Issues Video and some of the other materials on the resource page of our website.
VIA leaders shared about the work that they have been a part of in 2022 and what that means to them. Take a listen and get involved!
Visit our Events page to see what meetings are coming up and how you can be part of this work.
Feel free to contact VIA staff for more information or if you have any questions.
Sign up to hear from us about upcoming events, our projects, and how you can help!
Our mission is to create solutions to systemic issues that prevent our most vulnerable citizens from enjoying the quality of life God intends for us all.
Mark the dates on your calendar now to attend a half-day training to learn organizing fundamentals. We want to ensure that all our leaders understand our methodology and are well-equipped to carry it out to maximum impact on our issues.
There will be three in-person trainings:
Schedule will be 4-8 PM, with a lite supper. Childcare offered if needed.
Contact Melissa Battah for more information. Registration will begin soon!