In the past several months, I've become aware of important conversations happening around homelessness, mental health, substance use, and safety across the Northeast Kingdom and the State of Vermont. There's frustration and a sense of helplessness about negative behaviors impacting neighborhoods, businesses, and public spaces. At the same time, there's concern that harsh consequences alone don't address the underlying challenges people are facing.
At Northeast Kingdom Human Services, our work is grounded in dignity, person-centeredness, and the ideals of a strong community. We believe these values are not at odds with accountability or safety. In fact, they are essential to finding solutions that work for individuals and communities alike.
There are no quick fixes. Meaningful change requires collaboration among residents, businesses, municipalities, law enforcement, health care providers, social service organizations, and people with lived experience.
We are proud to be part of several community efforts working toward solutions, and we invite you and others to reach out or show up if you want to help. Many actions, small and large, can make a difference. By combining compassion with accountability and immediate responses with long-term support, we can move beyond frustration and toward solutions that create a safer, healthier, and stronger Northeast Kingdom.
We look forward to doing this work as a partner and an organization that cares deeply about our communities' success.
Warm Regards,
Kelsey
NKHS SUPPORTS CATAMOUNT ARTS LEVITT AMP CONCERT WITH HOUSE OF HAMILL
On Sunday, August 8th, NKHS had the joy of tabling at the House of Hamill concert at Dog Mountain, part of the Catamount Arts Levitt AMP concert series. Communications Department members Erica Perkins and Joy Morse, along with Emergency Services staff Elizabeth Blackwell and Christian Parcell, spent the evening connecting with two- and four-legged community members alike, handing out frisbees and sharing information about the crisis and emergency support NKHS offers across the Northeast Kingdom.
As an event sponsor, Executive Director Kelsey Stavseth was invited on stage to speak about NKHS and why supporting community events like this is so central to who we are. It reflects our core community value of strong connections, building relationships, and being a part of something bigger than ourselves. It was a beautiful evening, and we were grateful to be a small part of the event.
PREPARING THE NEK
NKHS and the ALICE Training® Institute have teamed up to bring Active Shooter Response Certification Training (ALICE Training) to the Northeast Kingdom on October 8th and 9th.The course will be held at the NKHS building located at 48 Elm Street, Lyndonville, Vermont.
This two-day instructor course teaches proactive response options and survival strategies for violent critical incidents, ensuring a trauma-informed approach to civilian active-threat response training.
ALICE Instructor Certification prepares participants to take those strategies back to their organization and community. The price of the training is $749, and registration can be completed online athttps://cvent.me/L5xvGE?RefId=social.
A PERFECT DAY FOR THE NKHS ANNUAL PICNIC
Earlier this month, close to 300 NKHS employees and family members spent a beautiful day at Crystal Lake in Barton for the Annual NKHS Picnic.
The work our staff members do each day can be challenging and, at times, stressful. Each year, the picnic offers an opportunity to take a break, relax, and connect with co-workers we don't always see face-to-face.
A special thanks to the NKHS Party Planning Committee for doing such a fantastic job!
CHRIS DENNEHY IS HERE FOR ST. JOHNSBURY
The Caledonia Record recently featured the work of Chris Dennehy, an NKHS Mental Health Crisis Clinician embedded with the St. Johnsbury PD.
Chris shared that he assists the police with calls where mental health and substance use are involved, helping them "make informed decisions about how to proceed, whether a person needs treatment and can be diverted away from criminal charges.”
Responding to growing concerns in St. Johnsbury, Chris and an NKHS Emergency Services Councilor have begun spending part of their days at the Welcome Center, helping individuals connect with resources and find stable housing.
Photo by Dana Gray
OLDER ADULTS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING
This month, Terri Lavley, NKHS Director of Community Engagement, completed training staff at the St. Johnsbury Center for Living and Rehabilitation in Older Adult Mental Health First Aid. The course is evidence-based and designed to teach people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in adults aged 65 and older. Participants expressed gratitude for the training and believed it would positively impact the population they serve.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE NKHS FOOD TRUCK POPUPS @ THE PAVILION A SUCCESS
Thank you to the hundreds of NEK residents who have made the Food Truck Pop-ups a summer tradition. We love seeing familiar faces meeting up with friends and neighbors.
We'd also like to thank our wonderful vendors and musical artists! Their food and music brought so much vibrancy to those summer evenings. Contact Elaine Dunbar at EDunbar@NKHS.net to sign up to be a vendor next summer.
Recently, NKHS QPR trainers Ruth Marquette and Terri Lavely traveled to VTSU's Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, and Randolph campuses to train over 80 student leaders and RAs. Terri shared that "the students were AMAZING to work with, fully engaged, and embraced the learning and information!"
NKHS offers QPR, an introduction to suicide training for adults to raise awareness, dispel myths and misconceptions, and teach the three skills that can help save a life. Join us for one of these 90-minute trainings.
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