Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

“There is no passion to be found playing small—in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”
-Nelson Mandela
a South African anti-apartheid activist and politician who served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election.

     This week's email is packed with a plethora of ways to get involved in our community: there are 2 new Community Notices, a 5 Minute Action of the Week from CASP, 2 events happening TODAY (Sunday, January 22nd-Happy Lunar New Year!), 2 new events happening this week, and 4 new future events happening in the coming weeks. We encourage you to browse through this email with fresh eyes (and your calendar handy) and consider how you want to get involved in the continual evolution of Windham County: your talents and opinions are invaluable here! 

_____

5 Min Action of the Week from Community Asylum Seekers Project (CASP)
President Biden has announced a suite of new asylum bans to keep people from coming to our border and asking for protection. These include a ban on asylum for anyone who passes through another country on their way to the U.S. and doesn’t request asylum there first, as well as a potential ban on asylum for people who enter the U.S. without first notifying a border agent.
These are both policies that Trump pursued during his time in office and that were struck down as unlawful. On the campaign trail, Biden denounced these policies and pledged to end them. If resurrected, they will result in people being rapidly deported to the very dangers they have fled.
We have a limited window to convince the administration to walk back its plans. President Biden and our congressional representatives need to hear from us today!
We're proud to report that U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has already publicly opposed the asylum ban. Let's make sure our entire Congressional delegation does the same.

______

Community Notices:

From Southern Vermont Sister District:
(Editor's Note: I've volunteered with Southern VT Sister District as a Soup Chef for over 5 years now and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. This program is amazing! - Joanna)

Next Soup Subscription!! Eat soup and support Democratic state organizations.
Use this link to subscribe and get yummy soup from February through May. The first soup on February 20th, 2023 (sign up ends February 10th, 2023). 
Your ‘soupscription’ fee will be supporting the Sister District State Bridges Program, which supports Sister District volunteers across the country to fund raise for organizations leading year-round power-building work. It's a win-win-win. Eat soup, give soup, support Sister Districts important work!
Sign up to attend any of these events by clicking the State Bridges link above. These events will feature folks on the ground who are building democratic bases in key states as well as one of the leaders from the National Sister District project.

• January 25, 2023 — Virginia: New Virginia Majority
• February 8, 2023 — Wisconsin: Citizen Action of Wisconsin & WISDOM
• February 22, 2023 — Pennsylvania: PA Stands Up & Pennsylvania United
• March 8, 2023 — Nevada: One APIA Nevada
• March 29, 2023 — Arizona: Living United for Action in Arizona (LUCHA) & Rural Arizona Action (RAA)  

_____

Windham County Community Resilience Grant Request for Proposals
Apply Now HERE.
The Community Resilience Grant is a collaboration among the VT Department of Health, VT Community Health Equity Partnership (VtCHEP), United Way of Windham County (UWWC), and a Backbone Steering Committee (BSC) made up of 4 community members from around the county - facilitated by UWWC. The contents of this RFP were reviewed and approved by the BSC.
There will be multiple grantee support totaling $150,000, funded directly by VtCHEP - to address health disparities in Windham County in accordance with the Social Determinants of Health. We invite and welcome proposals from individuals and organizations serving people in need in Windham County, Vermont. All written proposals must be received by Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 11:59pm for consideration in the selection process.
Information sessions are available! The info sessions will be held on January 31st, 2023 at 5 pm, February 2nd, 2023 at 12pm , and February 4th, 2023 at 12pm.
Please go to the Zoom registration page HERE to register.

______

HAPPENING TODAY:
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22nd, 2023

Lunar New Year of China, Korea, and Vietnam
hosted by the Asian Cultural Center of Vermont (ACCVT)
Sunday, January 22nd, 2023 at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (10 Vernon Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 1pm-3pm.
More information on the website: https://accvt.org/ Inquiries: 802-257-7898 ext 3; day of event: 802-579-9008 and at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center.
Asian Cultural Center of Vermont (ACCVT) celebrates the Lunar New Year of China, Korea and Vietnam Sunday, January 22nd 1-3pm. All ages welcome! You don’t have to be Asian or know anything about Asia to participate! Join us at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center to usher in the year of the Black-Water-Rabbit. The sign of Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture and promises a period of rest and reflection after the dynamic Year of the Tiger. We will start our celebration with a potluck. Then join us for traditional Chinese Dance with Li Fei Osborne, group Taiji and Qigong with Cai Xi, the Korean rope-tug and traditional New Year songs and crafts. Make your own New Year banner! We end our celebration with a Dragon parade up from the Museum towards Main Street to bring us luck for the coming year. Don’t miss the chance to dance with the 30-foot dragon. This extraordinary dragon was created by an accomplished Vietnamese craftsman. According to Chinese folklore, this enormous marionette, requiring at least 9 people to hold, is forever chasing the ‘heavenly pearl’ in its pursuit of wisdom.

______

Brattleboro Concert Choir: “Help! Music for Troubled Times"
Saturday, January 21st, 2023 at the Latchis Theatre (50 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 7:30pm-9pm.
Sunday, January 22nd, 2023 at the Latchis Theatre (50 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 4pm-5:30pm.
Masks required. For tickets, please go to app.arts-people.com/index.php.
“HELP! Music for Troubled Times” is the theme of two Brattleboro Concert Choir concerts, scheduled for Saturday, January 21, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 22, at 4 p.m. at the Latchis Theatre, Main Street, Brattleboro.
According to Jonathan Harvey, BCC Director, “Our program is focused on the idea of asking for, and receiving, aid. In this turbulent age, seeking help is an act both of necessity and of bravery, and the pieces on the program all touch on this idea from different perspectives. In the music of two 20th century musicians -- Black Canadian-American composer and conductor Nathaniel Dett, and British composer and organist Herbert Howells -- we find cries for help that are in turns quiet, insistent, humble, violent, polite, grandiose, sacred, and secular.”
Harvey explains that Dett and Howells both wrote in styles that have clear stylistic roots, but are profoundly individualized and idiosyncratic.
“For a listener, this means you will hear music that is somewhat familiar on its face, but just beneath the surface is filled with surprises and twists,” he says. “Quite often, these surprises are all about strengthening the emotional impact of a musical moment -- this is very deeply felt music.” 
______

HAPPENING THIS WEEK:
MONDAY JANUARY 23rd, 2023-SUNDAY, JANUARY 29th, 2023 

Instant Pot Fun! A Hands-on Workshop
hosted by Edible Brattleboro
Monday, January 23rd, 2023 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main St, Brattleboro, VT 05301), in the Community Room on 2nd Floor. 5pm-7pm.
FREE – donations accepted with gratitude. Limited enrollment. Please register by emailing [email protected]. 
Learn how quick and easy it is to prepare soup, greens, and a dessert in an
Instant Pot. Together we will prepare a 3 course vegan meal and sit down at the
communal table to enjoy it! If you don't have an Instant Pot, you can borrow one
from the tool library!

______

Medicaid Cut-Off & Healthcare Resource Information Hours
hosted by The Vermont Workers’ Center
Wednesday, January 25th, 2023 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), in the Meeting Room. 2pm-4pm.
Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), in the Meeting Room. 2pm-4pm.
For more information, or if you can’t make those times, contact [email protected] or (802) 257-4436.
In Dec. 2022, Congress voted to eliminate the extra federal funding and requirement that states keep people on Medicaid. States will be able to start Medicaid redeterminations on April 1. According to the Urban Institute’s projections, up to 29,000 Vermont Medicaid recipients could be affected. 
The Vermont Workers’ Center is hosting two drop-in informational sessions in Meeting Room of the Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro. The sessions will be on Jan. 25 and Feb. 8, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Any & all are welcome to stop in to find out whether you will be affected, what your rights are in this process, and how to be sure that you aren’t cut off for bureaucratic reasons. People who are not on Medicaid and have questions about health care access are also welcome, as there will be other health care resources available.

______

Guilford Cares Food Pantry
Thursday, January 26th, 2023 at the Guilford Fairgrounds (163 Fairground Rd, Guilford, VT 05301). 3pm-4pm. 
If you have questions, concerns or would like to donate groceries or monetary gifts please contact Pat Haine 802-257-0626. For additional questions or more information call 802 579 1350 or email [email protected]. 
Guilford Cares Food Pantry has moved! The Pantry has moved to the First Aid building at the Guilford Fairgrounds. We will be fully stocked with all our usual grocery items.
The Fairgrounds are on Fairground Road, just off Weatherhead Hollow Road. From Guilford Center Road turn onto Weatherhead Hollow Road. Travel 1.7 miles down the road. The Fairgrounds are on the left and there will be a sign directing you up the hill for about .2 miles. The red building is on the left with a sign out in front. Please remain in your car; we’ll greet you,  and give you a shopping list as we have been doing for the past year.
If the Pantry will be closed for any unexpected reason, the closure will be announced on WKVT, WTSA, and Front Porch Forum.
If you cannot come to the Pantry due to illness or high risk, you can call also call Pat to arrange for food delivery by a volunteer.
We know that supplemental food can make such a big difference in one's budget. That is why we are stocking our shelves for our neighbors. All are welcome to come and take home fresh produce, staples, meat, dairy.
Guilford Cares welcomes anyone in need of supplemental food for themselves or their families.

______

Marco Yunga Tacuri’s Artist Talk
hosted by the Vermont Center for Photography
Thursday, January 26th, 2023 at the Vermont Center for Photography (10 Green Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 6pm.
Photographer Marco Yunga Tacuri’s project Los Longos del Barrio - A Portrait Project About Ecuadorian Immigration is on display in the in the Picker Print Gallery at VCP until the end of the month. The Artist Talk will take place at VCP on Thursday January 26th at 6:00, at VCP.

______

Brattleboro Winter Farmers’ Market
a project of Post Oil Solutions
Saturday, January 28th, 2023 at the Winston Prouty Campus (60 Austine Drive, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-2pm.
Saturdays, November through March.
For more info email [email protected], call 802-275-2835, or visit us at www.brattleborowinterfarmersmarket.org. 
Weekly indoor farmers market, creating community and boosting food security every week.  All local - farm produce, meats, syrup, honey, fresh baked goods, fruits, cider, preserves, plus handmade soaps, gifts and more. 
Accepting credit, debit and SNAP/EBT.  
Crop Cash + Food Boost turns $10 SNAP into $40 every week! 

ONGOING EVENTS

Coffey with Coffey Hours: 2nd Saturday and Sunday of Each Month

During the legislative session State Rep. Sara Coffey will host her “Coffee with Coffey” hours on the second weekend each month.  This is a way for Sara to share updates and hear from her Guilford and Vernon constituents 
Sara is hosting in-person coffee hours on the second Saturdays of each month from 10am-11am, and for those who who cannot attend in-person join her via Zoom (use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89043648911?pwd=VTI3SDJoMTFGcWFIblUwK1dscWcyQT09) on Sunday afternoons from 3pm-4pm.

In-person Coffee with Coffey schedule on Saturdays from 10am-11am: 
Sat. Jan. 14 Vernon Library
Sat. Feb. 11 Broad Brook Community Center in Guilford
Sat. March. 11 Vernon Library
Sat. April 8 Broad Brook Community Center in Guilford
Sat. May 13 Vernon Library
Sat. June 10 Broad Brook Community Center in Guilford

Zoom Coffee with Coffey on Sundays from 3pm-4pm:
Sun. Jan. 15
Sun. Feb. 12
Sun. March 12
Sun. April 9
Sun. May 14
Sun. June 11

These are great opportunity to connect with neighbors and to share your ideas and priorities. Everyone is welcome!

______

Rural Queer Creative Space
hosted by Out in the Open
Tuesdays, Online. 6pm-7pm.
Bring your knitting, your drawing, your collaging, your sewing, your writing, your painting! Bring your crafts and craft along with other rural queer folks!
Open-drop in space to share your creative side!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87116115742... 

______

Recovery Families
hosted by Turning Point
Fridays at Turning Point of Windham County Recovery Center (39 Elm Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-11am. 
Young children welcome!
Join other caregivers for connection and support of your own recovery journey or that of someone you love. 

______

Taking Steps Brattleboro, a program of Brattleboro Area Hospice is offering Advance Care Planning Weekly Zoom Information Sessions on Wednesdays from 10am-11am.
If you are interested in attending the Zoom info session, or want more information about Advance Care Planning, please contact Ruth Nangeroni, Advance Care Planning Program Coordinator at 802-257-0775 ext 101 or [email protected]
Advance care planning ensures that your loved ones and health professionals know what you  want in a medical emergency when you are unable to speak for yourself. It’s a process of creating a written health care plan(advance directive) that tells others what you would want if you couldn’t tell them yourself.
Advance Care Planning includes discussing choices about end-of-life (EOL) care with your medical provider, family and others. It involves choosing and educating your Health Care Agent and making informed decisions to complete an Advance Directive. Join us and learn more. Find out if adding a COVID-19 or Dementia provision would be beneficial to include or add to a previously completed Advance Directive.
Brattleboro Area Hospice (BAH) is an independent, non-profit organization that provides non-medical support to dying and grieving community members and volunteer-staffed assistance with Advance Care Planning. BAH is 100% locally funded, and provides services free of charge. Services are available to anyone living in southeastern Vermont or bordering New Hampshire towns.
Advance Care Planning: It’s how people care for one another.

______

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESOURCES

The Village Closet
on the Wintson Prouty Campus (60 Austine Drive, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), in Croker Hall.
Open Wednesdays from 4pm-6pm and Saturdays from 10am-12pm, or
by appointment. For more information, please email [email protected]
Your source for free baby, children, and pregnancy clothing/items. Donations of gently used items accepted. We are collecting new and "like new" children's coats and winter gear for our Kids in Coats partnership with United Way of Windham County.  If you have items to donate, please stop by today if you are able!
On Wednesdays, Everyone Eats will be distributing free dinners on campus from 3:30pm-4:30pm.

______

FREE HEALTHY AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD IN WINDHAM COUNTY

Brigid’s Kitchen, St. Michael’s Church, 47 Walnut Street, Brattleboro 802-254-6800 or 802-558-6072 
Grab-and-go lunches and fruit/nuts on Mon, Weds, Thus, and Sat, 11:30am-12:20pm.

Loaves and Fishes, Centre Congregational Church 193 Main Street, Brattleboro (802) 254-4730
Grab-and-go lunches on Tuesdays and Fridays at 12pm.

VT Foodbank and Veggie Van Go will be at Brattleboro Union High School (Fairground Ave, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), in the parking lot, on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, from 10am-11am. Drive up, touchless pickup. Walkers welcome, too. Call VT 211 for more information. 

Foodworks, the food shelf program of the Groundworks Collaborative https://groundworksvt.org (802) 490-2412, [email protected] 
Foodworks has open hours for curbside pickup on Mondays 11am-4pm, Wednesdays 1pm-6pm, Fridays 12pm-4pm, last Saturday of each month from 9am-12pm. Deliveries are available onTuesdays across Windham county. Please email [email protected] or call 802-490-2412 with any questions!
Households in need of food are asked to call or email to coordinate delivery. There is an urgent need for volunteers, and Foodworks has set up protocols to keep staff, volunteers, and clients as safe as possible. Please email us at [email protected] if you are able to help.

Marlboro Community Food Share
hosted by the Marlboro Community Center
Wednesday 10am-2pm; Thursday 10am-5pm; Friday 10am-12pm; Saturday 10am-12pm at the Marlboro Community Center (524 South Road, Marlboro, VT, 05344). 
The Marlboro Community Center invites you to fill a bag with non-perishable grocery items. Food is set up in the main space and is available during our open hours. Eggs and produce on Thursdays as available. No registration or eligibility required. Deliveries can be made through Marlboro Cares for those needing assistance. Please call Marlboro Cares at 258-3030 in advance to arrange a delivery.
To donate food:
Leave non-perishable food in the donation box at the Marlboro Post Office. It will be collected on a weekly-basis. (Please note that this box previously supplied the Deerfield Valley Food Pantry, which is now distributing food exclusively from VT Food Pantry) 
Gardeners and farmers are welcome to donate produce. Wear masks and wash hands when harvesting and handling food. Fresh produce can be dropped off at the Community Center on Thursday between 1pm and 4pm. (Any leftover produce will be taken to FoodWorks the following morning)

Guilford Food Pantry 
Every Thursday at the Guilford Fairgrounds. 5pm-6pm.
We know that supplemental food can make such a big difference in one's budget. That is why we are stocking our shelves for our neighbors. All are welcome to come and take home fresh produce, staples, meat, dairy. Guilford Cares welcomes anyone in need of supplemental food for themselves or their families.

Putney Foodshelf Weekly Open Hours 
Fridays at Christian Square, Putney, VT, 05346. 1:30pm-3:30pm.
Saturdays at Christian Square, Putney, VT, 05346. 9am-10:30am. (NEW HOURS!)
We also have a food drop at the Putney Meadows parking lot every 4th Thursday, from 9am-9:45am.
Message us on our FB page HERE, call 802.387.8551, or email [email protected] with questions. www.putneyfoodshelf.org
Curbside Open Hours. All are welcome - we just ask you to provide your town of residence and number in household for our data tracking purposes.
Stay in your car, please. Volunteers will take your order and bring out boxes of food, including nonperishable items, fresh produce, paper goods, meat, and dairy products.

Everyone Eats continues, including grab-and-go meals.

• Please see the website for the most up-to-date information. Thank you!

Folks receiving services through Foodworks, Loaves and Fishes, and the Brattleboro Community Justice Center can obtain free meals through those organizations.

Our Place Drop-In Center at 4 Island Street, Bellows Falls, VT, 05101. Call us at 802-463-2217 for assistance. Email at [email protected] Please wear a mask to keep our employees and yourself safe.
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Wednesday: 8:30am-4pm
Thursday: 8:30am-1pm
Friday: 8:30am-4pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Our Place Drop-In Center operates a food pantry and meal site where they serve breakfast with to-go meals that are ready for pickup by 9am. Lunch is ready by 11:30am. 
Everyone is welcome to stop by to get a meal. At this time we are allowing only employees in the building.

______

ADDITIONAL COVID 19 RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND AT THEIR PERMANENT HOME ON OUR WEBSITE, HERE: https://www.wecantogether.net/covid19_resources

______

RESOURCE FOR WeCAN

Rapid Response Text Alert System

When WeCAN began, Song & Solidarity set up a Rapid Response Text Alert System for WeCAN Groups. Directions for signing up are on WeCAN's website, here: https://www.wecantogether.net/rapid_response. We are grateful to Song and Solidarity for providing this service.

______

ONGOING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING 

Indigo Radio
Sundays at 1pm on Brattleboro Community Radio 107.7FM. To stream live, visit: www.wvew.org 
Indigo Radio, deepening understanding and making connections! IndigoRadio is a group of area educators seeking to learn through engaging with others in our community and throughout the world. We will be talking about educational and social issues both globally and locally and connecting them to our lives and Brattleboro community. Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indigoradiowvew/. For archive recordings of past shows: https://soundcloud.com/user-654648353. 

______

Please continue to be Covid19 conscious (mask and test) when gathering indoors this Winter, friends. Many people have loved ones they are trying to protect at home. Please do your part during these Winter month Covid19 spikes. Thank you. 

With many thanks,

Your Friendly WeCAN Editor,

Joanna