NEWPORT – The Vermont Welcome Wagon has landed in the Northeast Kingdom with its second chapter in the State open and ready for participants.
The VT Welcome Wagon Project (VTWWP) is a program where new arrivals or returnees are connected with current residents, or ‘hosts’ through an informal meet and greet.
It provides new folks with the opportunity to learn more about the region and ask honest questions with honest answers about the ins and outs of the community—where’s the nearest laundromat? Where do you go out to eat? What’s there to do on a rainy day? What’s the childcare situation like?
The goal is to accelerate the time it takes to “figure out” Vermont and get connected to the community in meaningful ways.
The Northeast Kingdom Young Professionals Network (NEK YPN) decided to take on this initiative last spring upon learning about the program that began in Chittenden County.
“We are simply thrilled that the NEK YPN has partnered with VWWP to launch a local chapter of the program,” VWWP co-founder Krysta Sadowski said. “Their commitment to connecting and serving their community combined with the energy and skills of their leadership team makes them an ideal partner for leading this program in the NEK.”
While the VT Welcome Wagon Project is for all ages, the NEK YPN was thrilled to take on the leadership of this program and offer it to all community members and new arrivals in the NEK.
Thanks to grants from both the Vermont Community Foundation and the NEK Collaborative, the NEK YPN has been able to secure a part-time administrative staff member to oversee the unveiling of the project.
This program is open to anybody new or returning and there are no age limits or restrictions.
The NEK YPN manages the program but participants do not need to be a member to utilize it.
Materials and sign up information can be found at https://www.vtwelcomewagon.org/
