Grant Funding, Community Support Strengthen Critical Family Resource
The Winston Prouty Center was recently awarded $5,000 of grant funding by the Lucy Downing Nisbet Charitable Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee, to support their Supervised Visitation Program (SVP).
The Lucy Downing Nisbet Charitable Fund was established in 2002 to support and promote educational, health & human services, and arts programming for underserved populations. The Foundation specifically serves organizations located in and serving the people of Vermont.
SVP provides a safe space for children to rekindle or maintain a relationship with a parent they don’t live with through supervised visits and exchanges. SVP is a critical resource for families navigating shared custody of their children and supports safe healing for children.
“SVP has been a game changer for our family, and we know we are not alone. Programs like this one make it possible for families to navigate hard seasons with dignity and support,” said an anonymous parent who has participated in the program. “We are deeply grateful for the staff, community partners, and supporters who show up every day to make this work real.”
Winston Prouty’s SVP is one of only 6 programs in the state of Vermont. Due to a shortage of centers who provide these services, the Brattleboro program regularly serves children and parents living all over the state of Vermont and New Hampshire. Some courts refer their cases to this site due to its convenient location near one parent or between two households. As a result, SVP has served residents of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, California, Washington, and more.
“Having the opportunity to share in the tears and laughter with rebuilding family relationships is a unique and special role to serve,” said Don Freeman, Supervised Visitation Coordinator at Winston Prouty. Freeman has worked with the organization since 2023, and facilitated over 400 visits and exchanges last year.
Grant funding for SVP helps pay for the program’s operating costs, comprised mostly of staff compensation and benefits. The program has historically relied on a combination of donation and state contracts, including the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) and the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services (VCCVS). Last year, the budget for SVPs was reduced statewide, requiring organizations like the Winston Prouty Center to raise more funds through gifts and grants to continue providing services.
Grants like this one from the Lucy Downing Nisbet Charitable Fund are transformational in an uncertain funding landscape. The Winston Prouty Center continues to seek support to make sure this service remains intact for the children and families who rely on it. Members of the community can learn more about SVP and donate at the link below.