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Come join us for the *FREE MOVIE NIGHT* at Main Street Landing Tuesday Nights in December at 7:00 PM. All donations will benefit Lund Family Center. "Together Strong" author will be speaking and signing books on 12/20 before 'It's a Wonderful Life.' A portion of "Together Strong' book sales will go to Lund.
From the Executive Director
"Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received.
Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling.
Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse." Thanksgiving and nearing the end of 2011, give me extra reason to pause, ever so briefly, as well as reflect on all that I am grateful for as the Executive Director of Lund. I want to share my gratitude for all that I am thankful for at Lund. I want to thank everyone who has been there for our clients and mission. My gratitude to: Our Volunteers: I am thankful for the more than 600 hundred volunteers who have donated more than 10 thousand hours to Lund during the past year. That’s a lot of time and talent! Volunteers helped out in so many ways- reading to children in our child care, organizing activities for our residents, face painting at our adoption picnic, stuffing envelopes, planning and orchestrating our fundraising events, serving on committees, as well as helping in so many ways. Read More
Year-End Report: 2011 Impact Thank you for supporting Lund! As we enter the holiday season, we at Lund Family Center thank you for believing in and supporting our work to strengthen children and families. This is the impact your support made in Fiscal Year 2011:
Strategic Plan Updates: Branding
 After several months of interviews with staff and stakeholders and multiple iterations of incredible design work by the team of Harvey/ Severance and editorial writer Linda Allen, the branding committee led by Board members Lisa Pizzagalli, Sara Byers, and Aimee Marti and FAHC’s Maurine Gilbert looks forward to unrolling a new agency logo. The formal rollout will include several projects that are subsets of the initial design work including creation of marketing and communications collateral that is consistent with the new look (for example, an agency overview brochure; an updated, overhauled, more user-friendly website, and basic business materials including letterhead, business cards, banners, advertising templates, bus signage and more.) Read More
Judy Harvey Awarded 'Employee of the Year'
 Judy Harvey, Childcare Coordinator, was awarded “Employee of the Year” at the October All-Staff Retreat. “This year’s recipient is truly a leader, an innovator, a motivator and an inspiration and yet she is likely one of the most humble people you will ever meet,” said Kim Coe, Director of Residential and Community Treatment, during the award presentation. Staff erupted into applause when Harvey’s name was called and everyone stood in cheer as she made her way up to the podium to receive a sling of sunflowers, a gift and a plaque to commemorate her award. Read More
Lund's Partnership with DCF Recognized In 2007, the Administration for Children and Families, in partnership with SAMHSA awarded fifty-three grants throughout the United States. The grant proposal was for states to form regional partnerships to develop projects that would increase permanency outcomes for children whose parents were impacted by methamphetamines and/or other substances. Vermont’s successful application positioned Lund and the Burlington Family Services office of the Department for Children and Families to be pioneers in the field of child welfare and substance abuse. Read More
'Together Strong' Donates Book Profits: Watch Video! “Together Strong” authors Kyle Paxman and Patty Carbee are donating a portion of their book’s profits to Lund Family Center. ‘Together Strong’ is the true story of this mother and daughter who turn a cancelled wedding in Vermont into a fundraiser that honored strong women and raised $20,000 for two charities. Their book takes the reader far beyond the charity event and into a year of unforeseeable loss, followed by growth and hope. “Together Strong” author Patty Carbee will be speaking and signing books during the Main Street Landing Movie Night on December 20th at 7:00 PM before the screening “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Read More
Halloween at Glen Road
 “Every costume was my favorite. Seeing each smile and hearing a laugh or a giggle made each client and child’s costume unique in their own way,” said Desiree Merchant, Lund’s Residential and Community Treatment Program Management Assistant, who co-facilitated the Halloween event with Tammy Santamore, Lund’s Transition Services Coordinator. They also arranged for costume donations. Read More
National Adoption Month: Real Stories Jenn and Todd Belter tried to have a child for four years before turning to adoption. After spending a year with one agency that didn’t work out, they went to Lund Family Center. “They were such a good match for us,” says Jenn Belter. “When you’re having one of those hard days, they know how to make you feel better. They’re really reassuring.” Lund’s Adoption Director, Wanda Audette, prepares clients that adopting an infant can take 1-5 years and in most cases the birth mother will select adoptive parents. The Belters say waiting to be selected was the hardest part. Jen soothed her mind by slowly getting the baby room together and painting a mural on the wall, trying to give herself a visual reminder that a baby would be coming. She just had to wait for the right one. Read More
National Adoption Month: Real Stories Parenting was something Kevin and Kim Hamilton had always wanted. Even their chosen professions as an assistant principal and a kindergarten teacher reflected their desires to be around children. But conceiving a baby was just not possible. “It was really tough. We see kids everyday and parents everyday who shouldn’t have kids. It would get so frustrating and we’d think what is wrong with us? Why can’t we have kids”? After spending tons of emotions and money on infertility treatments, the Hamiltons decided to look into adoption with Lund Family Center. “I didn’t go [into adoption] thinking that this is going to be this great big wonderful experience and the child is going to become my own. I went in there thinking we’re settling and this is what we have to do because life has given us such a kick in the butt,” says Kim. Lund’s Adoption Director Wanda Audette says people can experience a lot of emotions when faced with infertility. Read More
Volunteer Spotlight
 Kristin Heller was an intern this past summer in the Development Office at the Lund Family Center. She is interested in working in the non-profit sector and this position allowed her to gain valuable experience at a prominent non-profit in the Burlington area. Kristin became interested in a position at Lund because of their longstanding dedication to children and families. She supported the Development team preparing for the Mad Hatter’s Tea and Bubbly event in June, and also focused on the important grant research and database management. Read More
All-Staff Retreat October’s All-Staff Retreat centered on spirit building and recognition. Steve Wark, who works at Vermont Gas, volunteered his time and talent to facilitate the staff retreat. He led group brainstorming exercises that focused on making Lund a more vibrant workplace. Staffers also participated in a wellness presentation by Morella Devost, and joined her in stretching, dancing and relaxation exercises, to maintain both physical and mental health. Executive Director Barbara Rachelson recognized these employees for their years of service and invited them up to the podium: Read More
Grants UpdateTwo important grants to Lund were approved during the first half of November. Firstly, the Board of the Permanent Fund for the Well-being of Vermont Children approved a grant for the Kids-A-Part Program, under Lund’s management since April this year. The Kids-A-Part Program is designed to reduce trauma and maintain strong family ties between children and their incarcerated parents. It is the only program of its kind in Vermont and one of a few nationally serving this unique population. We are delighted to continue strengthening the program’s funding base and strategy. Secondly, the Trustees of the Jane B. Cook 1992 Charitable Trust approved a grant supporting agency operations, which will be vital in sustaining our programs during the coming year of renewal and growth. As always, we are very grateful to all our collaborators for their continued investment in our community service programs.
Sincerely,
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WISH LIST: $25 Gift Cards for Families this Holiday-
(Mobil, Old Navy, Walmart, Shaw's, Hannaford, Price Chopper, Visa Gift
Card, Exxon, Kmart, Toys R Us, iTunes, TJ Maxx, Movie Passes, Creative
Habitat, Vermont Electric Cooperative, Home Depot, Lowes)
  
 
 
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