News

Colchester, Vermont – On Tuesday, April 7, the UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice Family Room joined Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger and Winooski Mayor Seth Leonard to honor AmeriCorps and other service members and highlight the value of their national service to the Burlington community. AmeriCorps members who serve in Burlington and Winooski filed into the Family Room’s play area beside the mayors for the event.

Mayors Day of Service
The mayors proclaimed April 7, 2015, as National Service Recognition Day, joining 800 mayors from around the nation who offered similar recognition of their cities’ service members as part of a nationwide, bipartisan effort to: recognize the positive impact of national service on our cities; thank AmeriCorps and Senior Corps participants who serve; and encourage citizens to give back to their communities.

The Family Room is one of 15 Burlington organizations benefiting from the service of We All Belong AmeriCorps members who are committed to creating a more welcoming and inclusive community. The Family Room AmeriCorps members act as interpreters and cultural liaisons, helping welcome all families who come to the program.

“The Family Room is honored to be a trusted space for the New American and refugee populations of Burlington and Winooski and part of that reputation is owed to the work of We All Belong members who help make our programs a welcoming, inclusive place for all who walk through our doors,” said Family Room Program Manager Samantha Stevens. “On behalf of families and staff at the UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice Family Room, thank you so very much.”

As a program offering free services to over 400 families year-round, the Family Room relies on community support in many forms. Last year, almost 100 volunteers donated their time and talents to Family Room programs. Learn more about Family Room programs and how you can get involved at www.vnacares.org/familyroom.