Projects and activities

VNAAC Health Improvement Initiative

Bed Bug Mitigation and Resiliency Project

Funded by the City of Burlington VT

This VNAAC Project VNAAC went from 04/01/2023 to 3/30/24 with a detailed scope of work:

1. Recruited a consultant as an outreach and coordination project support person who will implement, monitor and evaluate the project; provided community outreach for coming training and workshop; coordinated project activities in collaboration with experts and trainers; provide ongoing support including data collection, analysis and reporting.

2. Provided Bed Bug Mitigation Services and Training: VNAAC identifed families who have experienced or with current bedbugs’ issues to participate to these trainings. As most stigmatic and health related subjects such as bed bug, we needed to provide a needed adequate and culturally responsive response by supporting families going through this challenge through the purchase of supplies (mattress protectors and other recommended materials) and 3 separated interpreted trainings on bed bug prevention.

Bed bug workshop series was a resounding success. Participants left the workshop with valuable knowledge and effective mitigation strategies to address bed bug infestations in their homes. The hands-on approach, coupled with the meticulous guidance provided, ensured that everyone felt empowered to tackle this common household challenge confidently.

We would like to express our appreciation to our trainer, the “Bed Bug guy”, Rick Castillo for his professionalism and flexibility throughout the training sessions. His expertise, adaptability, and dedication greatly contributed to the success of this workshop series, ensuring a valuable and enriching experience for all participants, and providing access to healthy homes.

To all the community members who participated in this workshop series, VNAAC wants to say thank you. Folks' active engagement and enthusiastic participation have been instrumental in making this learning opportunity a success.

We are also truly thankful to the AALV leadership for their invaluable support. AALV’s community collaboration and dedication to supporting initiatives like ours are commendable. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to utilize AALV’s space and resources, which have had a significant role in the success of our event.

Finally, our utmost gratitude goes to the City of Burlington. Your partnership, and attention to the community’s needs, have played a crucial role in helping improve people's living conditions. The workshop series empowered individuals and families to create safer, healthier living environments, ultimately enhancing their quality of life and well-being.

Supporting New American Youth and families Project (2023-2024)

In recent months, the City of Burlington has been shaken by tragedies that resulted in several New American youth losing their lives due to violence. These tragedies negatively impacted the families of victims and the Burlington community at large. We recognise that this is a systemic issue that requires systemic solutions thus time and capacity to achieve them.

Gun violence and youth gang mentality among New American youth are complex and culturally sensitive issues. To address them, it requires a different approach regarding the engagement and participation of New American communities. The Vermont New American Advisory Council's (VNAAC) leadership team, composed of several New American group leaders, has a collective impact approach that can successfully bring New American communities and city organizations together to achieve the following goals:

Come to a common understanding of the root causes of the problem,
Create a safe place to start the healing and rebuilding of trust, and
Shape a fairer and more inclusive public safety and protection system in the City of Burlington.

Recommendations For City Of Burlington and Burlington School District

Recommendation #1: Create a position within the City of Burlington REIB Department to focus on New American Affairs. This position will facilitate communication and trust building between city departments and New American communities, strengthen New American community engagement in City initiatives, and support coordination to address key issues identified in this report and others.

Recommendation #2: Allocate at least $50,000/year equally distributed between established minority organizations. This funding will be used to address ongoing costs for New American community organizations to build opportunities for social connectedness and social inclusion and support development of inclusive, community-oriented programs and activities.

Recommendation #3: Develop after school program opportunities by and for New Americans that will encompass their cultural/religious beliefs. Having a diversity of after school programs and opportunities that reflect the

diversity of New American communities in Burlington will provide both parents and children a deeper sense of belonging in Burlington.

Recommendation #4: Consider a citywide celebration when both schools and city departments are closed for the day for key religious and cultural holidays

celebrated by New American communities, such as Eid al-Adha. One of the best ways to ensure a sense of belonging is to recognize important cultural/religious practices and holidays. For example, recognition of Eid would

strengthen the sense of belonging for Muslim families in Burlington and show that they are seen and valued in the community.

Recommendation #5: Increase and strengthen parent education opportunities and parent literacy such as the BSD Parent University Program. Parent education activities should encompass substance use disorder, types of

substances, state gun legislations that exist and civic engagement.

Recommendation #6: Prioritize building a diverse workforce across city departments; specifically target an increase in members of New American community groups.

Recommendation #7: The Burlington Police Department should continue to strengthen connections with New American community groups through regular meetings to build trust, listen to concerns, engage communities, provide education and support prevention.

Individual Project Contributors:

Symphorien Sikyala, President of the Vermont Congolese Association

Mohamed Shaaban, Community Leader - Somali Bantu Community Association.

Murjan Kassim, Community Leader - Somali Bantu Community Association.

Jeetan Khadka, Community Leader for the Bhutanese and Nepalese in

Vermont- VNAAC member

Yasmin Mohamed, Interpreter for Maay Maay Community

Chol Dhoor, Sundanese Foundation of Vermont - VNAAC Member

Sandrine Kibuey, VNAAC President

Genevieve King, Restored Psychotherapist

Organization Project Contributors:

Ernie Pomerleau & the Pomerleau Family Foundation