Northern Lights Opening

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Cara Gleason,
Northern Lights Program Coordinator
802.324.0629 caragREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@howardcenter.org

Northern Lights Program Open House – Tuesday May 29th 2007

The renovation of the Varney House and the opening of the Northern Lights Program will be celebrated Tuesday May 29th, 2007 at 76 Cherry Street, Burlington. Community members are invited to tour the house between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. A ceremony will be held at 2:30 p.m. The many partners, supporters and friends of the Northern Lights Program will be acknowledged.

Northern Lights is a supportive home for women returning from prison. It will house ten women for up to one year. The goal is for each woman to build a safe and productive life in the community, while under the supervision of the Department of Corrections. The women will be supported by community members, service providers and each other as they develop skills, seek employment, improve their health, make positive connections and have fun.

Northern Lights has received tremendous support from the community. Renovations to the Varney House were funded through public grants and private donations. The house has been decorated and furnished by volunteers. In addition, a team of Ben & Jerry’s staff members will landscape the yard on May 23, 2007.

Northern Lights is a program of HowardCenter working collaboratively with Vermont Works for Women, Mercy Connections Inc., Vermont Children’s Aid Society, Burlington Housing Authority, Lund Family Center, Women Helping Battered Women and Burlington Community Justice Center.

The first residents will move into the house on Monday June 4th, 2007. Four women have been selected. Two new women will move in each month until the house is fully occupied in early fall.