Springfield Supported Housing Program

The Gnomes had a blast at the Back to School Bash and I do not think they were the only ones.

After-school sports, clubs, arts, tutoring, and enrichment programs are more than just activities—they can provide stability, belonging, and connection for young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

These programs give students opportunities to:

• Build friendships and relationships with trusted adults
• Develop confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills
• Stay physically active and support their emotional well-being
• Discover new interests and talents
• Remain connected to their school community
• Spend time in a safe and supportive environment

Research highlighted by Vermont Afterschool shows that consistent participation can support attendance, classroom behavior, academic achievement, and a young person’s sense of belonging.

Students experiencing homelessness also have rights under the McKinney-Vento Act. Enrollment includes being able to participate fully in school activities—not simply attending classes. Schools must work to remove barriers, including transportation barriers, that prevent eligible students from participating in school-sponsored extracurricular activities, according to the National Center for Homeless Education.

Costs, transportation, missing records, or changes in housing should not automatically keep a student from joining a team, club, performance, or enrichment program. Families and youth can ask their school for the district’s McKinney-Vento liaison to discuss available support.

Every young person deserves the opportunity to play, create, learn, belong, and be part of their school community.

Not sure who to contact when a student is experiencing housing instability? This poster provides contact information for local and statewide McKinney-Vento staff who can help students remain enrolled, connected, and supported in school. Please save and share this important resource with families in our community.

As children return to school, it is important for families to know that housing instability should never prevent a student from receiving an education.

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, students may qualify for additional support if they are staying in a shelter, motel, vehicle, campground, transitional housing, substandard housing, or temporarily with friends or relatives because their family lost housing.

Eligible students have the right to enroll in school immediately, remain connected to their school of origin when appropriate, receive transportation, and participate in school meals, special education, sports, clubs, and other programs.

If your family is experiencing housing instability, contact your child’s school and ask to speak with the district’s homeless education liaison. Help is available—and every child deserves the stability, support, and opportunity to succeed in school.

Please share this information so families throughout our community know their rights.

Today, we pause to remember the devastating floods that have impacted communities across the world, United States, and more specifically Vermont—and to recognize that for many people, recovery doesn’t end when the water recedes.

A disaster can change everything in a matter of hours. Homes and belongings are lost, families are displaced, and the path forward can include months or even years of navigating housing, insurance, FEMA assistance, repairs, transportation, medical needs, lost income, and the emotional toll of starting over.

Anniversaries of these events can also bring back difficult memories for those who lived through them. We see you, we remember, and we recognize that recovery takes time.

At Springfield Supported Housing Program, we believe no one should have to navigate that road alone. Our team continues to walk alongside individuals and families as they work toward safety, stability, and home.

Today, we remember what Vermont communities have endured, honor the neighbors who helped one another through unimaginable circumstances, and thank the first responders, volunteers, organizations, and community members who continue to show up long after the immediate crisis has passed.

💚 Recovery takes time. Community makes it possible.

Attention property owners and small-scale developers in Windham and Windsor Counties: VHIP 2.0 applications will re-open September 1st and be accepted on a rolling basis until funding is exhausted.
Information about the program, including eligibility requirements and project-specific applications, can be found on our website: HomeMattersHere.org/rental-rehab/
Thank you for applying for VHIP 2.0 through WWHT and creating more affordable homes in our region!
📸- impressive before and afters of recent successful VHIP projects

Looking forward to seeing you all there tonight!

This Tuesday!
Free Event!