Residents Laud a Family Program That Has Suffered Cuts

Family Room supporters who gathered Thursday Credit: Matthew Thorsen

People who use the Janet S. Munt Family Room, a Burlington parent-child center with free programs designed to strengthen families, on Thursday decried cuts there that have cost some workers their jobs.

Families and children gathered outside the Allen Street school that houses the program and shared stories about what it has meant to them.

Those who run it learned October 1 that its application for close to a half million dollars through the federal New Pathways for Fathers and Families “Dads” grant — a grant they’ve gotten for nine years — was turned down. The Family Room has since cut three veteran workers and reduced its programs. The Family Room is part of the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties.

The Family Room’s parent advisory council has organized three public meetings to discuss raising funds to restore the staff and programs.

Thursday, they held an appreciation luncheon and presented scrapbooks to the departing staff. The council also organized Thursday’s speak-out, so parents could express how much the Family Room’s staff and programs meant to their families.

Jennifer Tornabe’s children — Jordan, 7, and Jasmine, 5 — were with her while she put the finishing touches on a project she’d been working on — scrapbooks full of notes and photos for the three employees who’ve had their jobs cut.

“It’s symbol of them taking a piece of us when they go,” the 37-year-old South End resident said.

One reply on “Residents Laud a Family Program That Has Suffered Cuts”

Mark Montalban says:

November 6, 2015 at 10:20 pm

Since the community was notified on October 22 that 1/3 of the Family Room staff was to be cut with 2 weeks notice, we have had 3 emergency meetings with a total of 120 people showing up, including regular participants, educational, medical, and social service providers. The Advisory has tapped into the community the importance of this federally mandated Parent Child Center, one of 15 in Vermont and the entry access point for families and individuals facing challenges locally. With regulated scheduled Thursday meetings at the AALV, 6-8pm, people are coming together, on committees, making contacts, strategizing communication, research, and organizational development. Out of these meetings, a stronger, sustainable Family Room will arise.