Fall 2024 Newsletter
A morning walk by the lake. An afternoon sitting out on Church Street for lunch. An evening attending a show at The Flynn. These are the types of experiences that people in and outside of Vermont have flocked to Burlington for each year. Festivals, marathons, tree lightings, parades, and shops filled with local merchandise for any occasion. We’ve all had a day like this in Burlington. The beauty and vibrancy of our city has attracted millions of people for many years, helping keep it a place where all of us look forward to spending time.
In the past few years, this image of Burlington and the light it brings to our corner of the world has dimmed. People open a paper, turn on the local news, or head to their favorite online information source and see a different Burlington. A city fraught with pain, where many communities – whether it is businesses, neighbors, or those suffering from substance use disorder – are struggling to understand who Burlington is today and how we got here.
The answer is complicated. Much of the public narrative has focused on the impact this hurt is having on businesses, the police, or consumers. But a critical part of the story has been missing, and it needs an introduction.
What about Burlington’s youth?
Programs like ACE are part of the solution to ensure our youth know they have a future.
In our pilot year of this innovative program, our high schoolers learned invaluable lessons, were inspired as they explored and connected with over 20 businesses, earned money, and realized their potential.
Hear directly from participants about their experience:
Become a Mentor!
King Street Center’s mentoring program is always in need of positive adults and older youth to help guide our kids through adolescence. Right now, we are in great need of adult male mentors, but here are the ways you can get involved:
Become a Community Mentor (must be 21+)
Become a Book Buddy (must be 16+)
Help us spread the word about our mentoring program with someone who you think might be interested in joining.
