Playground Project
Sep
1
to Dec 29

Playground Project

  • Steps to End Domestic Violence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

We’re Building a New Playground!

Since opening our doors at the end of 2020, we have been working with an architect to design the perfect playground for the kids at shelter. This summer, we are finally turning our dreams into reality by building a new accessible playground for the children and families staying at our shelter. Playgrounds provide children with the opportunity to practice and hone key social, emotional and physical skills. Children are constantly learning through play, making new friends, sharing, taking turns, and interacting with other children. This playground will be a source of pride for our community and provide a safe place to play and heal together.

Help us reach our goal of $175,000 to create a new, modern and safe shelter playground and bring this dream to life by becoming a sponsor today!

Our Current Playground

Our “playground” is currently made up of a beautiful yard with many graciously donated toys and hand-me-down activities as well as a wonderful vegetable garden our volunteers built last summer. We love our space but we know it is in need of a serious makeover. The space is more than we could have hoped for and we are excited to finally add the playground to make our new home the best it can be.

 

Our New Playground Design!

Our architect truly poured his heart into designing a playground that can spark every kid’s imagination and we are so excited about bringing his vision to life! It includes a swing set, a treehouse, an ADA accessible pirate ship, and two shelters; one for the parents and guardians, the other for older children. There will also be a half basketball court!

We believe this new equipment will not only help the children have fun and get more exercise but will also give them a way to heal from trauma and begin expressing themselves.

Find out below how you can sponsor this equipment!

 

Virtual Wishing Well

Help us make our playground dreams a reality by adding to our virtual wishing well!

Donations in any amount are welcome and every little bit can get us closer to our goal.

All donations over $500 will receive an engraved garden stone!

 

Become a Sponsor!

Help us reach our fundraising goal by sponsoring equipment for the playground.

Bench Plaque

$5,000

Sponsor our playground with a donation of $5,000. This sponsorship will be commemorated with a bench plaque added to one of the benches on the playground.

 

Basketball Court

$5,000

Sponsor our playground with a donation towards this half basketball court. It will provide a great way for the kids at the shelter to get physical activity and make friends!

 

Wooden Swing Set

$7,500

Sponsor our playground with a donation towards this swing set. It will be a great addition to our playground and allow kids to feel free and limitless!

 

Older Kids Shelter

$15,000

Sponsor our playground with a donation towards this shelter. It will be a great and safe spot for the older kids in our shelter to sit together and hang out!

 

Guardian Shelter

$15,000

Sponsor our playground with a donation towards this shelter! It will be a relaxing spot for parents and guardians to sit and watch the children play!

 

TreeHouse

$35,000

This treehouse will be a great addition to the playground and let the kids learn and explore nature!

 

ADA Accessible Pirate Ship

$50,000

This ship will be a significant part of this playground. Not only will this ship provide a great play space but it gives a chance for all children to interact and play!

 

If you or your business is interested in sponsoring the entire playground project with naming rights please contact Nicole Kubon at nicolek@stepsvt.org

Check out our article in Seven Days!

Thank You to our Major Sponsors!

 
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Aug
22
to Oct 2

Steps for Social Change

  • Steps to End Domestic Violence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This September, Self Care is Social Change

Join us for the 3rd annual Steps for Social Change fundraiser

All September, commit to pursuing physical wellness to promote personal healing and restoration to begin forming habits that will sustain the work ahead of us, all while raising critical funds to support those affected by domestic violence.

Create a fundraising page and start getting friends and family to sponsor your wellness goals! Or make a team and start reaching your goals with others! Each team member can make their own fundraising page and share it on social media! Can your team come out on top?

Throughout the month we will also be giving away some great prizes donated by local companies to the top fundraisers!

  • ECHO memberships

  • City Market gift cards

  • Farmhouse Group gift cards

  • Steps for Social Change Sweatshirts

And more!!

This year, we are elated to be hosting an in-person Field Day celebration. On Saturday, October 1st, each participant can make their goals a reality while donning their purple gear in support of Steps to End Domestic Violence and Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)!

COMMIT TO SELF

Make a physical wellness plan to begin September 1st in anticipation of accomplishing a big feat on Saturday, October 1st. Pair that feat with a fundraising goal, and document your journey on social media.

Tag us using #S4SC22

COMMIT TO COMMUNITY

Join us for wellness events and solicit donations to urge the community to take a stand against domestic violence with you. Ask your friends and family to support you in meeting your goals as an individual, or start a fundraising team.

Need some inspiration on how to get started?

Meditate - Do Yoga - Drink 100oz of Water Daily - Dance - Sleep 8 Hours - Try New Food - Cook New Recipes - Stretch Every Morning - Walk or Bike to Work - Attend a Fitness Class - Decrease your Screen Time - Learn a New Skill - Jump Rope - Focus Your Breathing - Practice a Handstand - Explore Some Hiking Trails - Practice Cornhole

Attend some community workshops!

Fire Cider Workshop with Railyard Apothecary

September 7th from 6pm - 7pm

Self Care Journaling Circle with Clarise Fearn

September 12th from 3:30 - 5

and more to come!!

The Big Day

Field Day Celebration!

Celebrate your goals and accomplishments with us during our Field Day Celebration! On October 1st at Oakledge Park in Burlington from 11 - 1:30 join us for food, music, a cornhole tournament and other fun activities and crafts!

This is a great opportunity for everyone to get together and show their support for survivors of domestic violence and also Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

Everyone who registers will also receive a free t-shirt that day and a ticket into the event!

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Aug
22
to Sep 19

Pride Parade and Festival

  • Steps to End Domestic Violence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Pride Parade and Festival!

Come and join us at the Pride Center’s Pride Parade and Festival!

image source: pridecentervt.org

We invite all supporters to join and walk with us in the parade as we pass by!

We will also be at the festival located at the Waterfront where the parade will finish.

Stop by and check out everything our organization has going on!

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Easter Eggstravaganza 2022!
Apr
15
4:30 PM16:30

Easter Eggstravaganza 2022!

Easter Eggstravaganza 2022!

This year we wanted to have a day where the families at the shelter could come together, have fun and just enjoy the beautiful weather while also hunting for some hidden treats! We had some amazing donors and board members bring in items to fill Easter eggs with and even help hide them. The staff also had a great time coming together to help fill the over 200 hundred eggs we hid for the kids.

Along with the Egg Hunt, kids were able to decorate cookies, play some outdoor games and make some fun crafts! We hope this day filled the families at our shelter with joy and put a smile on their faces.

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Apr
30
to May 9

Self Care Gift Baskets

  • Steps to End Domestic Violence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Celebrating Strong Women

May We Know Them, May We Be Them, May We Raise Them

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This year we are working on putting together 21 self-care gift baskets for all the women currently staying at our emergency shelter to distribute for Mother’s Day. 

Surviving abuse, whether it be physical, verbal, mental, emotional or financial, is traumatic, and can cause lasting psychological harm. Sometimes survivors have to re-learn how to care for and love themselves. This “re-learning” helps them to better care for each other, their dependents as well as being able to get back on their feet and integrate back into our community with a strong sense of self worth, independence and confidence. We want to show our service users that we care about them, and that they deserve not only the emergency resources they need to survive, but also some things to pamper themselves and indulge in a little TLC. We’re seeking donations to purchase self-care items and treats such as:

Soaps

Lotions

Bath Bombs

Hair Products

Chocolates and Candies

Baked Goods

Jewelry

Candles

Incense

Essential Oils

Eye Pillows

Face Masks

Flowers

Tea

Mugs

If you would like to make a donation towards this project or have items you’d like to give us to include, please contact our Development and Volunteer Coordinator erikah@stepsvt.org

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Apr
22
to Oct 31

Garden Project

  • Steps to End Domestic Violence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

We’re Planting a Garden!

This year we are working together to build raised garden beds to grow veggies and herbs at our emergency shelter. We need some help from our community to get this project under way.
What we’re looking for:

  • Volunteers willing to (ideally) build secure materials & build raised beds for us! If you aren’t feeling confident in your building skills but you are able to donate cedar lumber, chicken wire or other resources that might help us put together our own beds - please reach out!

  • Resources & materials: soil, compost, seeds, plants, and garden gloves & tools

  • Other volunteers interested in helping us get the garden planted & help with ongoing maintenance

Gardening is known to be therapeutic, so in addition to providing fresh organic produce, we’re hoping this garden will bring some peace and enjoyment to families staying with us in shelter.

Our goal is to build the raised beds and start planting by May 10th, and then we’ll continue to care for our garden throughout the summer until harvest season. If you would like to lend a hand and/or make a donation, please reach out to our Development and Volunteer Coordinator: erikah@stepsvt.org

raised bed.jpg



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Oct
29
6:00 PM18:00

DVAM Vigil + Speak Out

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Every year, Steps to End Domestic Violence holds a candlelight vigil to honor and remember those who have experienced or are experiencing intimate partner violence.

This year, Steps to End Domestic Violence, Pride Center Vermont’s SafeSpace Anti-Violence Program, and DIVAS invite you to participate in a day-long virtual vigil and speak-out on October 29th. In an effort to create the safest virtual space possible, we are asking attendees to register for the speak-out in advance here. 

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Throughout the day,  please light a candle in honor of someone who has experienced intimate partner violence. We invite you to share a photo of that candle, a poem, artwork, a word of strength to survivors - whatever feels most authentic to you - to your social media and tag @stepsVT and @pridecentervt with the hashtag #VTDVAM2020.  *If you are honoring a specific person, please do not share the name of the survivor without their consent.

That evening at 6pm, join us for a virtual speak-out. Please register to share your story and/or to attend in support of those sharing their stories. 

Advocates will be available during the event via our support lines: Steps to End Domestic Violence: 802-658-1996 | SafeSpace Anti-Violence Program: (802) 863-0003

ABOUT THE HOSTS:

Formed in 1974, Steps to End Domestic Violence assists in the transition to a safe, independent life for all those who have been affected physically, sexually, emotionally, or economically by domestic abuse, and promotes a culture that fosters justice, equity and safety. Advocates are available 24/7 on our hotline at 802-658-1996 and on our chat line Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.

SafeSpace Anti-Violence Program is a state-wide program that serves LGBTQ+ and HIV-affected people who are survivors of violence and/or discrimination. Advocates are available on our support line Mon - Thurs 10-6 and Fri 10-2 at (802) 863-0003. Advocates are also available via email at safespace@pridecentervt.org and our confidential chat service at https://www.pridecentervt.org/safespace/ 

En Español: WhatsApp (802) 860-7812

DIVAS (Discussing Intimate Violence and Accessing Support) provides domestic and sexual violence education, support, skill-building and advocacy to women who are incarcerated in Vermont. The DIVAS program aims to improve outcomes during incarceration and upon community reentry.

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Oct
27
5:30 PM17:30

Virtual Slow Down, Recharge, and Celebrate Workshop

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Claire Giblin Wellness is hosting a virtual workshop to support continued self and community care — and to help us meet our fundraising goal for Steps for Social Change!

Claire says, “we’ll start with some activities to reflect on why your continued self-care is an important part of social change and create an actionable plan to help sustain momentum and weave self-care into your daily life. We’ll end with a relaxing meditation and restorative yoga pose, giving your body and mind some restoration and ease. You’ll also leave class with a worksheet to support future reflection on your self-care and community care, allowing you to re-visit your goals at any time.”

Suggested Donation: $10. Register HERE.

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Oct
21
5:30 PM17:30

Virtual Total Body Circuit Class

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Concept Move is offering a total body circuit class so you can sweat it out — and so we can meet our fundraising goal for Steps for Social Change!

Movement is an amazing way to show gratitude and love to our bodies and minds. In this total body circuit style class, we will bump up the music and sweat our way through strength, core, and cardio intervals. Whether this is your first group fitness class or your 100th, we will provide layers to meet every person where they are...and maybe push you just a bit ;)  All you need is your body and a little bit of grit (dumbbells are optional). All levels are welcome and encouraged.

Register HERE.

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Oct
14
5:00 PM17:00

Virtual Movement + Meditation Class

Caitlin Downey is holding this space to help you connect with yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally — and to help us meet our fundraising goal for Steps for Social Change!

Breath and sensation are used to anchor your awareness in your body and explore your unique edges within this practice. All bodies and experiences are welcome and encouraged.  This class is less about touching your toes and more about accessing your unique wisdom through presence and listening to your body. 

At the end of class, there is an opportunity to reflect on your experience and connect your awareness to your life. This reflection allows a deeper inner inquiry and opportunity to integrate your awareness into personal action and growth.

Ultimately, what we offer ourselves is what we also offer to the community. Tending to yourself and taking care of yourself is part of radical change.

Suggested Donation: $15. Register HERE.

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