Charlotte Congregational Church Deepens Support for HIP with Second Gift
Pictured from left to right: Cathedral Square Board Secretary and Charlotte Congregational Church member Peg Maffitt and Cathedral Square CEO Kim Fitzgerald
SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT — Cathedral Square is grateful to announce a $20,000 gift from the Charlotte Congregational Church to support its Housing Incentive Program (HIP), marking the second year the congregation has stepped forward with support for the program. Since making an initial $25,000 gift in 2025, members of the church have gotten to know HIP participants directly, sending handwritten notes of encouragement, artwork from the congregation's children, and prayers from their youth ministry.
HIP launched in December 2024 to help Vermonters transitioning out of homelessness stay housed, offering embedded case management, wellness services, and financial incentives during that critical first year. The program completed its first full year in 2025, supporting 23 participants across five communities and paying out 133 incentives as participants reached personal goals and stability milestones.
The church's mission committee, coordinated by longtime member and Cathedral Square Board Secretary Peg Maffitt, started by sending handmade cards to HIP participants, each one featuring a note of encouragement and artwork drawn by children from the congregation.
"One participant shared that she couldn't believe someone took the time to make a card for her," said HIP Manager Carolyn Gipson, recounting participants' reactions. "She said she was going to put it on her refrigerator." Another participant, moved by a child's drawing on his card, said it gave him hope for the future. A third, whose daughter is close in age to the child who drew his card, said his was going on the refrigerator too.
This winter, the connection grew further. During Lent, children in the church's youth ministry made paper prayer chains using the first names of HIP participants, choosing one name each day to hold in prayer. Youth Minister Hadley Bunting organized the activity, and Maffitt explained the Housing Incentive Program to the children in kid-friendly terms before they got started.
"So happy we are doing our part, along with the funds, to make HIP successful," Maffitt wrote after sharing participants' reactions with the congregation.
The relationships built through HIP have helped participants regain their footing. In one case, a participant more than three months behind on rent, owing over $2,000 in back payments, worked with Gipson to develop a plan. Within less than two months, he had paid off his entire past-due balance and resolved an outstanding debt with the Burlington Housing Authority. "I'm current with everyone now because of HIP and can rest easy moving forward," he shared.
"We're endlessly grateful for this gift. What's made it even more meaningful is that the congregation chose to get to know our participants, too," said Cathedral Square CEO Kim Fitzgerald. "The cards, the artwork, and the prayers said by name all tell people their community sees them and is rooting for them. That matters as much as the funding."
The congregation's $20,000 gift will continue to support HIP's embedded services, wellness programs, and financial incentives as the program works toward its goal of supporting 60 participants.
"What Charlotte Congregational Church has shown is that supporting HIP doesn't have to stop at a donation," Fitzgerald said. "We'd love for other congregations and organizations to see what's possible when you get involved this way."
To learn more about HIP or to make a donation, please visit: cathedralsquare.org/hip
About Charlotte Congregational Church, UCC Located in Charlotte, Vermont, Charlotte Congregational Church is committed to prayerful, compassionate and courageous action in the world, embraced by the healing love of Jesus Christ and inspired by his teachings. For more information, visit charlotteucc.org.