BRATTLEBORO-The Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development has received a $1 million donation to open a family shelter on its campus, a project designed to provide safe housing for families experiencing homelessness in Windham County.
In a news release announcing the donation, the organization anticipates that the shelter "will serve as an immediate lifeline for families who have no stable place to live, offering not only a roof but also access to support services."
"This investment makes it possible for us to give families safety, dignity, and hope in a moment of crisis," said Chloe Learey, executive director of Winston Prouty, in the release. "At the same time, it is a step toward the broader solutions our community needs."
Learey told The Commons at press time on Tuesday that the donation will directly fund operations for the shelter and initial expenses for its launch.
"There will be some startup costs for furnishings and supplies, and we will put out a call for specific donations such as pack-n-play cribs and living room furniture, to minimize the upfront outlay of cash," she said in an email. "The only major renovation needed is to install a sprinkler system, and we are seeking grant funding for that."
From March 2024 to this past June, Winston Prouty ran one of the state's temporary congregate shelters for those exiting the emergency pandemic housing program in motels.
"The plan always was to run it for that time period, so the short-lived nature was intentional," Learey said. "We supported 28 families during that time period, and 18 of them moved into housing from the shelter, so we consider it a tremendous success."
As described on the Winston Prouty website, families stayed in a fully furnished dormitory building that once housed students at the former Austine School for the Deaf.
"We are able to set [the new shelter] up on this timeline since we recently ran a family shelter and have many elements in place, and even some staff who are interested in returning," Learey told The Commons. "We anticipate this funding will cover at least two years of operations, and perhaps more."
The donation was made by Nancy Braus, longtime activist and former co-owner of Everyone's Books in Brattleboro.
"Watching the number of people experiencing homelessness in our town continue to grow has made me want to do something truly impactful," said Braus, "and when my mother passed away in February, I was given that chance. She left me an inheritance, and I knew immediately all of it should be used to support our community.
"My parents, Jane and Jay Braus, were longtime supporters of local organizations helping those in need across western Massachusetts, and I know they would be proud to see these funds making a difference for families. Every child deserves the security of a safe, warm place to sleep at night - a privilege I've always been fortunate to have."
The family shelter is expected to open before the end of the year. Winston Prouty will work with community partners to operate the program and connect families with long-term housing resources.
First phase of affordable housing this fall
Winston Prouty is also developing plans for affordable workforce housing - The Village at Winston Prouty (village.winstonprouty.org) - on its 180-acre campus. Leaders say the combination of emergency shelter and long-term housing is part of a vision to address Vermont's deepening housing shortage.
Plans are afoot this quarter to start the first phase of its project, a single apartment building at 300 Maple St., which will provide 28 out of the anticipated 300 housing units.
Across the state, rising rents and limited availability have left many working families without affordable options. Community leaders say the shortage is especially severe in Windham County, where local employers struggle to attract and retain workers because of the housing crunch.
For more information about Winston Prouty's housing initiatives, visit winstonprouty.org.
This News item was submitted to The Commons.