SOUTHEASTERN VERMONT COMMUNITY ACTION INC

VERMONT HAS ONE OF THE OLDEST HOUSING STOCKS IN THE COUNTRY, AND IN SOUTHEASTERN VERMONT, MANY HOMES ARE DRAFTY, INEFFICIENT, AND EXPENSIVE TO HEAT. FOR LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES, THIS MEANS HIGH ENERGY BILLS, UNCOMFORTABLE WINTERS, AND HOUSING THAT CAN QUICKLY BECOME UNSAFE OR UNAFFORDABLE.SEVCA'S WEATHERIZATION AND EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR PROGRAM ADDRESSES THESE CHALLENGES HEAD-ON, IMPROVING HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY, COMFORT, AND SAFETY--WHILE ALSO STRENGTHENING VERMONT'S HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE AND LOCAL ECONOMY.WHAT WE DO: ASSESS AND WEATHERIZE HOMES TO REDUCE ENERGY LOSS AND LOWER UTILITY COSTS; REPAIR OR REPLACE INEFFICIENT HEATING SYSTEMS; COMPLETE ESSENTIAL HOME REPAIRS FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS AND TO MAKE WEATHERIZATION POSSIBLE (E.G., ROOFING, VENTILATION, INSULATIONS); OFFER PERSONALIZED ENERGY COACHING, INCLUDING APPLIANCE UPGRADES AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION; SUPORT LOCAL JOBS THROUGH SUBCONTRACTING WITH AREA BUSINESSES.2024 IMPACT: 267 HOMES WEATHERIZED OR REPAIRED, $706,317 INVESTED IN LOCAL SUBCONTRACTORS, 100 HEATING SYSTEMS FIXED OR REPLACED, 174 ENERGY COACHING SESSIONS DELIVERED.THIS WORK GOES BEYOND ENERGY SAVINGS. IT'S ABOUT PRESERVING THE HOMES WE HAVE, REDUCING EMISSIONS, AND ENSURING VERMONTERS CAN LIVE IN SAFE, WARMS, AND AFFORDABLE SPACES. AT A TIME WHEN HOUSING IS SCARCE AND COSTLY TO BUILD, SEVCA'S WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM IS A STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN BOTH PEOPLE AND PLACE.

TOO OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD AS DAYCARE, SEVCA'S HEAD START PROGRAMS ARE COMPREHENSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. THEY ARE DESIGNED TO CREATE THE CONDITIONS FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS--NOT JUST FOR KIDS, BUT FOR ENTIRE FAMILIES.WHAT WE DO: EARLY EDUCATION THAT PREPARES CHILDREN ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH PRE-SCHOOL AND CHILDCARE; NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND SNACKS TO SUPPORT HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT; CONNECTIONS TO HEALTHCARE--INCLUDING DENTAL, VISION, HEARING, DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS, DENTAL HEALTH, AND PRIMARY CARE--FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS; FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT TO CONNECT CAREGIVERS TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES LIKE HOUSING, FINANCIAL COACHING, CHILDCARE, FUEL ASSISTANCE, WEATHERIZATION, AND EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT.2024 IMPACT: 63 CHILDREN SERVED, 26,400+ NUTRITIOUS MEALS/SNACKS SERVED, 61 FAMILIES ENGAGED IN SERVICES, 98% OF CHILDREN RECEIVED DENTAL SCREENINGS, 98% OF CHILDREN ARE UP TO DATE ON IMMUNIZATIONS.RESEARCH SHOWS THAT ACCESS TO EARLY EDUCATION PAIRED WITH FAMILY SUPPORTS IMPROVES LONG-TERM ACADEMIC OUTCOMES, REDUCES HEALTH DISPARITIES, AND BUILDS GENERATIONAL STABILITY. SEVCA'S APPROACH SUPPORTS NOT ONLY SCHOOL READINESS--BUT LIFE READINESS.