Giving Big at the Day of Caring
ACT Youth Empowerment Committee Members teamed up with Teens 4 Change and United Ways of Bennington County on the Day of Caring during National Volunteer Week! Bravo! And THANK YOU!!!!
ACT Youth Empowerment Committee Members teamed up with Teens 4 Change and United Ways of Bennington County on the Day of Caring during National Volunteer Week! Bravo! And THANK YOU!!!!
The first ever Hogwarts Family Day event was produced by ACT’s Youth Empowerment Committee as an intergenerational event for the community. Nearly 250 persons were transported into a clever, fun, free community event celebrating all things Harry Potter!
Thank you for your hard work committee members and thank you to all of the community members and businesses that showed such incredible support for this worthwhile event!!!
Four years ago, a group of Bennington area youth drafted a statewide resolution to establish a Vermont Youth Appreciation Day. This celebration was a call to action in response to YRBS data that reflected the low rates of VT youth that feel they matter to our communities.
A joint resolution was passed and this home-grown event has blossomed significantly in the years since. This year on Thursday, April 28th at 12:30 pm, Governor Peter Shumlin will sign a proclamation declaring the month of May as Vermont Youth Appreciation Month in his Ceremonial Office at the statehouse in Montpelier.
— Top 5 in Total Weight —
1. Chittenden – 1855.5 lbs
2. Bennington – 683 lbs
3. Washington – 656.5 lbs
4. Windham – 444.4 lbs
5. Rutland – 329.8 lbs
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— Top 5 in Per Person Weight —
1. Bennington – 0.30 oz/person
2. Grand Isle – 0.21 oz/person
3. Chittenden – 0.19 oz/person
4. Lamoille 0.18 oz/person
5. Orleans – 0.18 oz/person
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(Note: Prescription drug take-back includes collection of any drug and drug paraphernalia, not only prescription drugs)
We are thrilled to announce the launch of a fantastic radio public service announcement sponsored by WEQX 102.7 FM radio which began on July 13th, 2015 and is now in rotation.
Be sure to tune in and listen for the great piece: Click here download the file.
Many in the world are mourning the loss of the inspirational leader, Nelson Mandela who passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2013. Nelson Mandela was a courageous activist whose voice, work and life served as passionate, inspirational fuel to a torn nation in desperate need of sweeping social change. The story of the South African people was one that struck the hearts of the world, bringing to light a system of injustice and racial discrimination that was stuck in time, violent and terrifying to witness in our modern age.
We salute President Madiba (Nelson) Mandela by reflecting on four key lessons on community transformation that we may learn from his life, experiences and the push to end apartheid in South Africa.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” The road to the end of Apartheid did not occur overnight and while hope always remained, it would take decades of pressure and activism before the tide would turn. Mandela’s own journey involved 20 years of activism in the African National Congress pressing the agenda and challenging the powerful structures that had existed for centuries. An additional 27 years of imprisonment would occur before the international groundswell of support would lead to his release and catalyze the long journey of change needed to transform his nation to reflect the dreams of its people. The work in South Africa is not done, pain remains, power struggles are ever-present but the people persist and continue to strive. We must do the same.
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” What a terrifying prospect to know that speaking one’s truth and pressing for basic human rights might result in your imprisonment or death. We are fortunate to have the opportunity and ability to work towards changing systems and working with our community leaders, elected officials and government structures to make our communities healthy and vibrant. Yet, many of our friends, neighbors and relatives do not feel they can speak out, ask for help or question the decisions that are made which impact their lives. For those of us who can, we must speak out, we must press on, we must believe that the future is bolder and brighter than we ever could have imagined.
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” The world’s response to the reality of South African Apartheid was resounding and clear: It must be eradicated. Let’s remember, that this was in 1993, not 1893. Governments placed major sanctions on the South African regime and corporations like Coca-cola were globally boycotted against for operating their factories under the same oppressive conditions that the South African government utilized to institutionalize racial segregation. People all over the world cared. They cared enough to boycott, to speak out, to pull their financial investments, to decry the violence and to demand justice. It was a global response, not one that said to leave it to South Africa to resolve on its own. As humans, we said, we believe that this is wrong and that what happens there, impacts all of our lives everywhere. Racial segregation in the United States did not end by accident, and the memories of our own nation’s history were reflected in the lives of South Africans under apartheid. Our own progress compels us to pay it forward. We must use our health, our knowledge, our resources and energy to keep pushing ahead to help others. Never Stop Caring.
“Lead from the back – and let others believe they are in front.” – Nelson Mandela was in jail for nearly thirty years, yet the movement carried on in his physical absence throughout that time through the work of others. We often believe major change requires a singular champion — a Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatama Ghandi, Cesar Chavez — but each of these individuals had a legion of people who were working behind the scenes. The work of those not in the spotlight was crucial to the success of their goals and were treated with equal importance to those in front of the cameras. The passing of these leaders does not mean that the work dies, no, it must not mean the end of the journey for everyone else. It cannot. We may not know your names, but we see your good work and are inspired by what you do, everyday. While we may never see your face, ultimately, you are the leaders that push this work forward. Thank you.