NeighborKeepers Strengthening Communities One Family at a Time

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NeighborKeepers is a non-profit, anti-poverty organization in Burlington, Vermont that has adopted the “Circles of Support” national program.

According to the U.S Census Bureau, in 2005 over 10% of Vermont residents were living at the poverty level. The total number of people in poverty in Vermont for that year was 62,748. That puts the number of children living in poverty in 2005 at 16,690. Unfortunately, these numbers are growing.

NeighborKeepers defines poverty as the struggle to exist without adequate resources. The NeighborKeepers Circle of Support Program (CoS) focuses on building community around families to collaboratively address building resources. Volunteer allies coach community members in the program and CoS creates sustainable, supportive friend networks that direct families and individuals toward the resources they need to improve health, get training and education, find jobs, and discover a sense of purpose and belonging.