Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have little." 
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
American politician and lawyer who served as the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945

   We start this week with a series of 1 Minute Action Items via Planned Parenthood of New England, WeCAN community, and round it out with a queer dance party and a farmers' market....sounds like a great week to us! In between we have listings for free food and veggies, a select-board meeting, an Abenaki Arts webinar, healthcare resource hours, a happy hour for Ukraine, and a much-anticipated book launch party. It's going to be a quite a week here in Windham County--we can't wait to see you at one of these fantastic events. 

Reminder: Group leaders and organizational reps: please continue to send in your Spring events to [email protected] We are happy to post your events through May right now. Thank you!

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1 Minute Action Items  from Planned Parenthood
(These are really easy and involve no actual mailing on your part. Just click the link, fill out the form, and notes are sent to your representatives based on your zip code. Easy peasy!)

• Thank House Representatives for voting Yes on H.89: 130 Representatives voted yes on H.89 – let’s thank them for their support (and ask the 13 Reps who voted no to consider changing their vote when the bill returns to the House): https://www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org/a/h89housethanks
• Send S.37 and H.89 messages of support to Senators: both bills are currently in the Senate. Urge your Senators to vote Yes to protect providers and patients!https://www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org/a/vtshieldlaws
• Other ways to support Planned Parenthood’s legislative work that may take longer than 1 minute:
  • Phone bank with us next Wednesday, February 22 from 5:30pm-8:00pm (training provided from 5:30pm-6:00pm!) to ask Planned Parenthood supporters to contact their Senators in support of S.37. Sign up here and bring a friend!
  • Write a letter to the editor in support of the Shield Laws OR Paid Family and Medical Leave (H.66). 

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HAPPENING THIS WEEK:
MONDAY FEBRUARY 20th, 2023-SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26th, 2023 

Vermont Food Bank’s Veggie Van Go Upcoming Schedule: The First and Third Mondays of Every Month in the parking lot across the street from the main entrance to Brattleboro Union High School (131 Fairground Road, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-11am. 
Please, no early birds. 
Questions? Call 1-800-585-2265 or email [email protected] 
Veggie Van Go is a program through the Vermont Foodbank that gives out free produce and local food for people to take home.
ATTENTION: The VT Foodbank asks that participants arrive at the Brattleboro Union High School no earlier than 9:45am. Cars that arrive early will be turned away until the start of the event.
Monday, February 20th, 2023
Important information:

• Drive through model- please stay in your vehicles
• If you are walking there: see a Vermont Foodbank associate but please make sure to stay 6 feet back.
• There are no income requirements, registration or paperwork to participate
• You do not need to be present to get food: you may ask someone to pick up on your family's behalf.

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Stop Brattleboro Evicting Homeless Shelter with Brattleboro Common Sense
Tuesday, February 21st, 2023 at the Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting, Online. 6:15pm.
Zoom info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067892659, Access code 12261753 
For more information, please email [email protected] 
On February 7 Brattleboro officials came to inspect three "RVs" that are being used in BCS' emergency housing project (EHRV) on Washington Street. Taking their leave, one inspector said that homeless people would be safer sleeping in the snow. Another official threatened to confiscate the RVs and demanded we remove them to comply with town ordinances. We said we would not comply, and that the inspector's judgement of safety was absurd.
The purpose of our project is to show that RVs are a very inexpensive substitute for new construction in the housing crisis. Property owners can rent out RVs as detached bedrooms; governments can create decentralized homeless shelters and mobile police stations. We brought this idea to town officials four times since early 2021. But instead of helping in any way, town officials have suddenly imposed $600-per day fines and are coercing us to perform illegal evictions of our homeless guests .
We believe the health inspector’s Emergency Order was motivated by over-anxious neighbors and based on stereotypes of homeless people as filthy and dangerous. For example, the inspector saw some brown material in the trash, and said without even smelling it that he was not an expert but would report that it was feces. He took no sample for examination, but admitted that his concern incriminates parents putting baby diapers in trash.
BCS has filed an appeal and is bringing its rebuttal to the health inspection report to the town Selectboard on Tuesday, February 21st. Our RVs are safe and seriously needed. Join us to stop this harassment of homeless people.

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Two-Eyed Seeing Speaker Series: Heritage Forensics: Rethinking Indigenous Ways of Knowing in an Increasingly Dangerous World with Frederick M. Wiseman, Ph.D.
this series is a partnership between Vermont Abenaki Artists Association and the Abenaki Arts & Education Center
Tuesday, February 21st, 2023, Online. 7pm.
Please email or call Elisa with questions or to make accessibility requests [email protected] or (802) 557-7202.
Zoom Registration Required: https://us06web.zoom.us/.../tZEqce2opjgrGtJqVpxOvpHCM2gFl...
Donations appreciated: https://www.lcmm.org/vaaa-donate/
Since the 1990’s indigenous research has moved away from scientific positivism toward critical theory, seeing evidence not as leading toward an underlying “truth,” but an outcome of many different truths, each depending on one’s biocultural or political perspective. However, politicized rewriting of native history has posed a distinct threat to such emerging Indigenous ways of exploring the world. In this presentation Dr. Frederick Wiseman will demonstrate the ways that Indigenous and positivist (scientific) ways of knowing can work together to preserve a legitimate American Abenaki biocultural history and worldview.
Frederick M. Wiseman, Ph. D. is a member of Vermont Abenaki Artists Association (VAAA) and received their first Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. Scholar, activist, and diplomat, Wiseman is Director of the Vermont Indigenous Heritage Center at the Burlington Intervale; Abenaki Delegate to the Wobanaki Confederacy since 1990; and Seven Nations (Canada) Wampum Keeper since 2004.

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Healthcare Resource Info Hours
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023
Wednesday, March 8th, 2023
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023
Wednesday, April 5th, 2023
Wednesday, April 19th, 2023, all at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 2pm-4pm.
Do you use Medicaid?
Members of the VT Worker’s Center will be on hand to provide information about the Medicaid re-determinations that will be starting on April 1st. Members of the public are invited to drop in between 2 and 4pm to find out about the re-determinations, how they are impacted, and what you can do if they are cut off.
We will also have resources for other questions about healthcare – not only Medicaid – and the opportunity to participate in a healthcare survey.

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Guilford Cares Food Pantry (MOVING TO A NEW LOCATION AS OF FEBRUARY 23rd, 2023)
Thursday, February 23rd, 2023 at the Broad Brook Community Center (3940 Guilford Center Road, 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]. For more information, please go to https://www.guilfordcares.com/pantry.
Guilford Cares Food Pantry has moved! We are now back at the newly renovated Broad Brook Community Center and no longer at the Guilford Fairgrounds. 
Guilford Cares welcomes anyone in need of supplemental food for themselves or their families.  Our pantry, with the help of state agencies, local businesses, and individual donations, provides a wide variety of fresh, frozen, canned and packaged food items. Guilford Cares also makes extra food available to students at the Guilford Central School.
Guilford Cares started with a health-based mission. The founders of the organization wanted to make sure that their neighbors did not "fall through the cracks" in our healthcare system. It did not take long to recognize that our community had other needs, perhaps as crucial. "Food Insecurity" constitutes a constant challenge across Vermont and at our doorstep as well. Pat Haine leading a dedicated squad of enthusiastic volunteers, operates The Guilford Cares Food Pantry. They feed a significant number of families who experience difficulties putting enough food on the table despite working multiple jobs. The citizens of our community generously donate to allow Guilford Cares to help out. The State of Vermont provides support. Hannaford Supermarket supports the Pantry consistently.
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.

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Solidarity Happy Hour and Fundraiser for Ukraine
Friday, February 24th, 2023 at Saxton’s River Distillery (155 Chickering Drive, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5pm-7:30pm.
No tickets needed. Just come in solidarity with Ukraine, buy a cocktail, and make a donation of any amount. Bring a friend!
For more information or to make a donation, visit lithuaniavermont.com
The Honorary Consul of Lithuania to Vermont is holding a Solidarity Happy Hour on Friday, February 24th, 5:00-7:30 pm at Saxtons River Distillery in Brattleboro.
A year ago, a violent war broke out in Ukraine. Headline continue to report horrific war crimes against civilians, and they are preparing for a brutal spring offensive. To mark a year since the beginning of this brutal invasion, siblings Kerry and Christian are bringing people together once again to provide aid to this crisis.

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Official Book Launch Reading of Shanta Lee Gander’s Black Metamorphoses
Friday, February 24th, 2023 at Antidote Books (15 Putney Rd, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 6pm.
Metamorphoses: Official Book Launch Reading will kick off on Friday, February 24 @ 6 at Antidote Books.
Shanta Lee Gander is an artist and multi-faceted professional. As an artist, her endeavors include writing prose, poetry, investigative journalism, and photography. Her poetry, prose, and personal essays have been featured in The Crisis Magazine, Rebelle Society, and on the Ms. Magazine Blog.

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Brattleboro Queer Dance Party’s 6th Year Anniversary Party
Friday, February 24th, 2023 at The Stone Church (210 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 9pm-1am.
18 + preferred; $5-15 SLIDING SCALE. No one turned away for lack of funds.
It’s our birthday and we want to party! We are so grateful to everyone who has come and supported this event. We have persevered for 6 years and served a pandemic; you all made it possible!
Your Emcee and Special Guest is:
BQDP Founder returns from Philly: ♛ Money-Internette ♛
Money Internette has many gifts and surprises for you all.
Very special guest DJ House Dress tailings from Durham, North Carolina. She comes to bless us with queer dance house music all night long.
With featured performances by:
♛ Patty Cake 
♛ Lilly Da Vally 
♛ Money Internette (FKA Jay Kava).

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Brattleboro Winter Farmers’ Market
a project of Post Oil Solutions
Saturday, February 25th, 2023 at the Winston Prouty Campus (60 Austine Drive, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-2pm.
Saturdays, November through March.
For more info email [email protected]utions.org, 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!

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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... 

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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. 

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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.

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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 b[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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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. 

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Thank you for all that you do, WeCAN Community members! Your involvement is forever appreciated!  

With many thanks,

Your Friendly WeCAN Editor,

Joanna