Vermont Interfaith Action

1st Monday of each month @ 6:30 PM - LOC meeting @ Joseph's House

Monthly 'Federation' Meeting - time and place TBD

Currently St. Joseph's Parish has about 20 people working as part of the local organizing committee (LOC) from our congregation on this ministry of bringing a voice to the voiceless.

Vermont Interfaith action is a federation of congregations working to improve the quality of lives for families and individuals in Vermont. We come together around the shared values of our religious and democratic traditions to put our faith into action in the public arena. Through a process of listening and relationship-building, we identify the most pressing needs in our communities, then do careful research and provide innovative policy solutions from the ground up. Those who have previously been bystanders in the political process become effective participants in public life.

While our primary base is Chittenden County, our vision is to develop a vibrant state-wide organization that brings people together across geographic, cultural, religious, and socio-economic boundaries. We have a vision of a strong, unified state, where all citizens are actively seeking solutions to the issues that most directly affect them.

We at VIA believe that by putting our faith into action, we have the power to transform our communities into places where people’s most basic human needs are met and where the dignity of every person is honored and respected.

VIA is affiliated with PICO (www.piconetwork.org), a national network of congregation-based community organizations representing over 1 million families in 17 states, and with the Organizing Leadership Training Center, a regionally based network of community organizations in New England.

Mercy Connections:

Educational and Transitional Center

Tuesday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM & Thursday 8:30 AM - 12:00PM

Educational and Transitional Center at Joseph's House provides a safe space and training toward GED, drivers education, computer skills, parenting skills, nutrition and wellness, socialization and goal planning. There is also a leadership group, book club and occassional field trips for spiritual, educational and community growth.

Women's Mentoring Group

This program links women coming out of prison with an individual volunteer mentor to guide them in the redevelopment of a stable life in the community. Mentors and mentees meet regularly, and will have group meetings at Joseph's House throughout the program.

Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAV)

Wednesday mornings

Women in transition participate in this weekly program through the Department of Corrections and are provided a group setting of training and goal setting to re-establish themselves in the community.

Nurturing Fathers - Kidsafe Collaborative

Wednesday evenings

This weekly program provides single fathers with a support mechanism for successfully raising their children.