Photo Credit: Lamoille Union Middle School Theater Program’s “Beauty and the Beast, Jr” Performance 

We are excited to report on the amazing work produced through our first round of Prevention Sponsorship projects, showcasing the variety of community organizations represented and their diverse locations and populations served. These projects addressed the goals of reducing underage substance use and adult high risk substance use, increasing support for LGBTQIA+ youth, and creating a community where youth and adults feel valued, connected and supported by decreasing stigma, reducing isolation, and building youth resiliency and connectedness.

Healthy Lamoille Valley’s prevention sponsorships are made available from the Region 3 Vermont Prevention Lead Organization grant. These allotments of $100-$500 are designed with equity in mind to be accessible to projects that would be greatly advanced with a small amount of funding. This funding supports primary and secondary prevention across the lifespan. FY24 Prevention Sponsorships are now complete, and we are anticipating a new round of funding. If you have any questions about future funding opportunities, please contact Coalition Coordinator Jessica Bickford at jessica@healthylamoillevalley.org.

Projects Funded:

Lamoille Union Middle School Theater Program: “Beauty and the Beast, Jr” Performance
“These kids were amazing! We had several students who had never been on stage before and a bunch who had never been in a musical. This was a huge undertaking and it’s a lot to ask of 25 middle schoolers. We rehearsed the show from January through April every day after school and on Saturdays. They showed tremendous growth throughout the project in their communication skills, confidence, public speaking, collaborative process, and self-advocacy.”

Peoples Academy High School: Project Graduation Program
Provided an opportunity for graduates to celebrate post-graduation in an alcohol- and drug-free environment along with parents and chaperones. The all-night event included bowling, swimming, dancing, and a bonfire. Attendees agreed it was a great success.

Morristown Centennial Library: Aging Together Speaker Series
As part of the library’s on-going support group for the community’s older population, “Aging Together”, funds were used to bring in speakers who shared on a variety of topics of interest to this age group. Over 40 individuals benefited from this outreach program.

Allied Health at GMTCC: Future Health Leaders (HOSA) Competition
Funds were provided for travel and lodging for six award-winning students to participate in a national competition testing their mental health awareness, LNA, and CPR skills in Houston, TX. These students were vital in hosting trainings within the community and sharing skills at Lamoille North’s Wellness Fair.

Greensboro Free Library: Mindfulness Kit
The library used their sponsorship funds to purchase a toolkit to add to their existing collection of programs available for community members to borrow. This set of practices contains activities, guides, discussions to help families better cope during the journey following loss, substance abuse and other traumas.

Peoples Academy & Lamoille Health Partners: Coping Skills Group
Due to extenuating circumstances these funds have been reallocated to support students’ prevention efforts at Peoples Academy Middle Level and Peoples Academy in the Fall of 2024.

Hazen Union High School: Pizza Oven Restoration
The high school used the funding to purchase materials to restore their pizza oven. Twelve 14- and 15-year-old students worked together on the project during their community service day, and now the entire school can benefit from this project.

Photo Credit: Students working on the Hazen Pizza Oven.  Picture courtesy of Jay Modry.

Waterville Library: Friday Night Youth Group for Teens
This sponsorship award helped the Teen Youth Group purchase outdoor games and equipment to add to the existing resources available to the local community.

Lamoille Health Partners: Support for Parents & Caregivers of Transgender, Non-binary, and Gender Questioning Youth
These project funds supported a collaboration between Lamoille Health Partners and Outright VT, hosting a panel of parents and caregivers with lived experience in raising a gender diverse child. This event provided participants with resources available in the community to support their children and the opportunity to share in a space of community and connection.

Hazen Union High School: LGBTQIA+ Student Group Support
This sponsorship award was given to a student-led contingent at HUHS to fund their presence in the Hardwick Memorial Day Parade. “Our GSA Club at Hazen was able to design a logo for the club and using the grant funds, we were able to print a beautiful canvas banner to walk with in the parade. We also purchased Pride pins, flags, stickers and other decorative/celebratory items for the parade. We had a very positive experience marching with Hazen Union Gender and Sexuality Club along with adult members of Hardwick Pride.”

Johnson Elementary & Jenna’s Promise: Yoga for Students in School and Afterschool Support
Funds were used to expand and enhance the existing student yoga program with additional practice equipment and educational materials, increasing the program’s capacity to benefit a wider age range and provide a more diverse curriculum. “I believe this kind of relationship and deeper understanding of anatomy and physiology helps youth in wanting to care for their bodies, making healthier choices when it comes to food, drinks, habits and preventing substance misuse overall.”