After 21 years, HANDS (Helping and Nurturing Diverse Seniors) will wind down operations. Founded in 2004 by Megan Humphrey, HANDS started as a way to provide a healthy meal and friendship on Christmas day for seniors who would have spent the holiday alone. Over the years, HANDS evolved, and since 2011 it has been a non-profit organization with a mission of providing food and resources for people aged 50+ who struggle with food insecurity in Chittenden County, Vermont. "There's something beautifully full circle about HANDS in the Kitchen returning to where it first began at Thayer House," shared Cathedral Square CEO Kim Fitzgerald.
Cathedral Square is grateful to announce a generous $25,000 gift from Charlotte Congregational Church to support their Housing Incentive Program (HIP). This donation will help fund Cathedral Square's innovative initiative designed to support residents transitioning from homelessness to stable, long-term affordable housing. HIP launched in December 2024 to address Vermont's homelessness crisis by providing comprehensive support to individuals and families during the critical transition period after securing housing.
I was delighted to celebrate the 50th anniversary of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Burlington with so many others whose lives have been positively impacted by the church’s strong social mission. It was a great opportunity for me to reflect on the history of Cathedral Square and the connection we will always have with St. Paul’s. In fact, we wouldn’t be here today without them!
Age Strong Vermont serves as a roadmap for state agencies and lawmakers, business owners, social service agencies, town and city planners, and the healthcare industry to build a coordinated and efficient system of services over the long-term, with the overarching goal of enhancing and securing the right for all Vermonters to age safely and happily, with dignity and respect.
Like virtually every other business and organization, we cycle through periods of being short-staffed due to employees who have retired or moved on and those who must quarantine at home for days due to having the virus. Fortunately, here at Cathedral Square we’ve had the support of friends, donors, board members and current staff members at all levels who have pitched in to help whenever and wherever there has been a need.
Sweetwaters Restaurant, the Essex Senior Center and two Burlington churches -- St. Mark's Catholic Church and the North Avenue Alliance Church -- donated hundreds of Thanksgiving dinners to residents.
