(802) 651-8889, 152 Pearl St, Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 651-8889, 152 Pearl St, Burlington, VT 05401
Latest News
VIA Names Next Executive Director
BURLINGTON, VT (December 18, 2024) — Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA), a leading faith-based organizing network in Vermont, is proud to announce the appointment of Melissa Battah as its next Executive Director.
Following a national search, the Board of Directors announced at the organization's annual meeting that Melissa Battah was unanimously chosen based on her exceptional match to VIA’s mission and her history of effective grassroots organizing on social justice issues.
“Melissa will lead VIA into an expanded future,” stated Nancy Baker, President of the VIA Board of Directors, “exploring the difficulties faced by vulnerable Vermonters, its future campaigns, building on existing and developing new partnerships and increasing its state and local impact.”
Ms. Battah brings decades of experience with a proven track record in grassroots organizing and leadership development. She successfully led the organization’s work on the Movement Toward a Moral Economy and co-led the 2020 Raise the Wage campaign. Her strategic thinking and foresight led to the creation of VIA’s largest campaign to date - the passage of Prop 2 in 2022 abolishing slavery in all forms from the state’s constitution. Melissa will bring visionary leadership and strategic direction to advance the organization's mission.
“I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and am honored to continue to lead VIA’s work to make this state a place which works for all Vermonters,” says Melissa Battah, who began as a healthcare organizer then Deputy Director, and most recently, Interim Executive Director.
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Vermont Interfaith Action is a grassroots, faith-based coalition of over 70 member and affiliated congregations throughout the state, representing 16,000 people of faith who seek systemic change on issues that affect Vermonter’s quality of life in our communities. VIA is committed to the work of social justice and creating lasting systemic change to make justice and compassion a reality for all Vermonters. More about VIA at www.viavt.org.
Vermonters Need Continuous Shelter
VIA faith leaders are severely disappointed in the FY25 State Budget, which fails to provide the very basic human need of shelter for the most vulnerable among us. 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.
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
Updates from Bennington Organizing Action
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!
Together We Give 2024
We are a diverse group of faith leaders, organizers, & community members united in the fight for a more just and equitable Vermont. Whether tackling issues like housing justice, climate action, or racial equity, we work tirelessly to uplift the voices of those most impacted by systemic injustice & create solutions benefiting all Vermonters.
Together We Give is an opportunity for you to join us. Your contribution helps strengthen community organizing, develop leaders & mobilize voters for a more just & equitable state. We can't do this without you!