Promise Community Projects Launched in Pownal and Bennington

December 2017

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Bennington and Pownal have been identified as Vermont Promise Communities under an innovative Federal Early Learning Challenge Grant.  The Vermont Promise Communities initiative has been developed to mobilize communities to support a high level of school readiness and success among our youngest citizens while also working toward the transformation of every aspect of the environment.  Pownal and Bennington each identified the need for a neutral community space to support opportunities and programs for children and families.  Programming at the established centers must be research and evidenced based and connected to the 5 protective factors: parental resilience, social connections, knowledge of parenting and child development, and concrete supports in times of need.  Both communities have started to work on developing programming, job descriptions, budgets, and timelines and determining a sustainability plan to continue the services into the future.  For more information, contact Robin Stromgren, Building Bright Futures Regional Coordinator, at:  rstromgren@buildingbrightfutures.org.