(802) 651-8889, 152 Pearl St, Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 651-8889, 152 Pearl St, Burlington, VT 05401
Latest News
Help VIA Turn Out the Vote in 2024
We only have a little over a month until election day. We all know that this election is critical on every level--national, state, and local. So much is on the line for our communities and for our country as a whole. While we only each get ONE vote, we can help others to get their voices heard as well. VIA is working hard to empower as many people as possible to vote--especially our most vulnerable populations who historically are among the least likely to do so.
Whether you take the pledge to vote your values or sign up to register others to vote or join us for the Gubernatorial Conversation with Candidates or head to a neighboring state to canvas, you can register for any of these activities by following this link: bit.ly/VTVotes2024
- Join the Pledge to Vote Your Values.
- VIA will be hosting a Gubernatorial Conversation with Candidates on Sunday October 6th, at 4pm at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church (39 Washington St, Barre). The event will also be live streamed. Click here to register.
- Voter Registration Tabling Events will be across the state to register voters. Volunteers are needed in Barre, Bennington, Brattleboro/Putney, Burlington and Montpelier.
- Join a Canvas with one of our sibling federations in either NH or PA. We will join Granite State Organizing Project in Nashua, NH on Sunday, October 20th and POWER in Lancaster and Philadelphia, PA October 19th-20th.
- Become a 100% Voting Congregation - contact the email below for more information.
Let's ensure that ALL of our voices are heard in this election! Questions? Email office@viavt.org and staff will get in touch with you.
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!
A Set of Actions to Take: Deacon Susan McMillan Connects Vermont Interfaith Action to Diocese
**An article from the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont.**
After a career in veterinary medicine, Deacon Susan McMillan is finding herself working toward the healing of other ills.
Since her ordination in December, McMillan has been serving as the diocese’s liaison to Vermont Interfaith Action, a statewide network of faith communities working for policy changes on issues including housing, immigration, economic dignity, climate issues and racial justice. The assignment fit well with McMillan’s call to social justice work.
“A deacon’s role is to interpret to the church the needs of the world — to bring church into the world,” she says. “VIA works to find systemic changes to societal problems in communities and across the state. It’s a good match. As we get involved with Vermont Interfaith Action, we can study problems in a community, break the problem down into smaller pieces we can address and work with those involved in that issue to find a fix. It’s a great way to see a need in the world, bring it back to the congregation, and work to make change.”
The recently passed legislation on overdose prevention is an example of how effective the VIA can be, McMillan says. The law allows for a safe injection site in Burlington where people can use narcotics under the supervision of trained staff and be revived if they take too much. The center will provide referrals to addiction treatment as well as medical and social services. It also will offer education about overdose prevention and distribute overdose reversal medications.
“Correctional reform is a big issue that seems insurmountable,” McMillan says. “By narrowing down, doing the research, meeting with stakeholders, and continuing to learn, VIA took a small step toward the de-criminalization of substance abuse and addiction.”
VIA’s advocacy efforts are not focused exclusively on the legislature. The organization is currently urging all 247 of the state’s cities and towns to adopt and implement a Declaration of Inclusion which, among other things, “condemns racism and welcomes all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, or socioeconomic status.” So far 152 cities and towns, home to 77 percent of the state’s population, have done so.
“Racism is a problem in Vermont, McMillan said. “This declaration is not simply a statement of intention, but a set of actions to take.”
Faith organizations are sometimes criticized for participating in politics, but McMillan says the connection between the diocese’s mission and VIA’s are clear. “Bishop Shannon is really focused and calling us to focus on looking past our church doors. It can be painful and scary, but I think our survival is tied to us [members of the diocese] getting outside our buildings and working with other faith communities toward Beloved Community.
“We all know Vermont is one of the least churched states, but that doesn’t mean Vermonters aren’t spiritual or people of faith; perhaps they are simply not finding connection to that big building in town. Our call is to be living out our faith in way that’s contagious.”
When Bishop Shannon named McMillan the diocese’s liaison to VIA, she charged her to start by visiting parishes — especially those without dedicated clergy — as they discern what God is already doing in their congregations and what they might be called to do in their community. “We do charity really well but we are also called to do justice,” McMillan says. “I’m just getting my feet under me with VIA. I don’t have the answers, but we’ve all heard Bishop Shannon remind us that we’re called to step out of the boat, to have courage and faith to take risks in community, even when we’re afraid and stretched and stressed. We don’t have to do it on our own, however. VIA helps us to collaborate with others and work together.”
VIA’s committee and subcommittee meetings are held on zoom, allowing individuals from across the state to attend. Anyone interested in learning more about VIA’s work, or in working with VIA on an issue not currently being addressed, should email McMillan. “We don’t have to reinvent the wheel,” she says. “VIA is available to assist in addressing an issue.”
Vermont Interfaith Action will be offering a three-day workshop in September on ‘Building Beloved Community in Vermont.’ Watch the Mountain for more details.
photo: Deacon Susan McMillan with Bishop Shannon at her ordination in 2023.