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 |  | Dear Friends of King Street Center,
Last week, a mom came to us scared. Someone in her community—a legal resident, newly married, and proud to call Vermont home—had been detained by ICE. She told us, “No more going outside. No more downtown. They are taking away my community.”
Carrie, our family support director, and I shared Know Your Rights information and explained the process once ICE took a person into custody. She then said, “if anything like this happens in my family, I’m coming to King Street. I know you can help me.”
That conversation stayed with me for the rest of the night. I could not stop thinking about how many more conversations like this I would need to have in the coming weeks, months, years. It felt like a weight pressing down on my chest, and I did not know how to lighten it.
It made me think about what it means to build resilience and how King Street can play its part. And not the shiny, polished kind. The real kind. The kind that I see in the quiet courage of parents doing everything they can to protect and provide. In the fierce hope of young people who keep dreaming even when the odds feel impossible.
Days later, I saw that resilience in action at our spring family dinner. What began as two moms cooking turned into eight. They gathered on rugs in our kitchen, laughing, sharing food, and creating something beautiful together. That night, over 170 people came not just to eat—but to share, offer a dish that tells the story of their home, sit next to someone they may not have known well, laugh in different languages, and to feel, even just for an evening, like they belong.
That’s what resilience is: not just surviving hard things, but building joy and connection in the midst of them.
Which brings me to important news.
This summer will mark the final round of our annual golf tournament. On Monday, June 23rd, we’ll gather one more time for the 34th Bob Aldrich Memorial Golf Tournament at Burlington Country Club.
This event has been a cherished tradition. Started by our dear friend Bob Aldrich, the tournament has raised critical funds, brought people together, and celebrated the summer in true Vermont fashion. We are so grateful to everyone who has golfed, sponsored, or cheered us on.
Looking ahead, we’re making a meaningful shift—one rooted in our values, in our mission, and in the people who make up the King Street community. We’re choosing to focus on events that more deeply reflect the cultures, voices, and stories of those we serve—moments like our family dinner, where people feel seen, connected, and celebrated.
Resilience is about adapting and making choices that strengthen us for what’s next. This is one of those choices—and we’re so grateful to be making it with you beside us.
With Gratitude, |
|  | |  | |  | King Street Center will be hosting the final round of the 34th Bob Aldrich Memorial Golf Tournament on Monday, June 23rd. Bob was a dear friend of King Street’s and created this tournament to help fundraising efforts for us. Taking place at Burlington Country Club, this is not only a beautiful course, but a beautiful day filled with celebration and support of our summer programs. Please join us! |
| | Thank you to our Hole-In-One Sponsors for generously supporting our Final Round! |
| | |  | |  | Our family dinner last week was truly something special. From morning to night, our kitchen was alive with the sounds and smells of community—families, staff, and kids coming together to prepare every delicious element of an extraordinary meal.
It was a radiant reflection of what true community looks like. Youth, families, staff, volunteers, board members, and friends gathered in celebration—honoring cultures, traditions, and achievements. The evening was a powerful reminder that, no matter the challenges we face, the bonds we share are unbreakable.
Words can hardly capture what last night meant to us. A heartfelt thank you to Maryan, Nuriyo, Halimo, Madeleine, Damber, Misky, Neema, Kachi, Gabbi, and our amazing teens for preparing such nourishing food. Deep gratitude to @uvmathletics for lending their people power to help serve over 170 meals. And to this entire community—for showing up, again and again, to uplift our kids and families.
Finally, a special thank you to our phenomenal Family Support Director, Carrie, and Community Outreach Director, Gabè, for bringing us all together so beautifully.
All love, always 👑 |
| |  | |  | Vermont Community Foundation will award a $10,000 grant to the winning nonprofit in this year’s SevenDaysies contest!
Your vote would help us: 👑 Send 10 kids to King Street for a month of fun & learning 👑 Strengthen our Basic Needs Fund for families 👑 Serve up 3,600+ meals (yum!) 👑 Power up summer adventures & field trips
Let’s do this, Vermont! 💛 |
| | |  | |  | Each year, the Jake Agna Award is presented to a youth who exhibit a high level of leadership, curiosity, humor, teamwork, and respect for self and others. This year’s award winner is Edmunds Middle Schooler, Rejoice!
King Street Center teen programming staff had this to say about Rejoice:
“Rejoice is an amazing guy. He always steps up to participate in teen programming. He challenges himself by fearlessly trying new things such as skateboarding and snowboarding. He will do big things on the lemonade stand and I’m happy he’s part of our teen program.” - Joe, Teen Program Director
“Rejoice is aptly named as he provides a positive experience for anyone who comes across him. He isn’t afraid to try new things and is eager to share his curiosity with others. He is inquisitive and asks questions that lead to in-depth conversations. I look forward to seeing how he matures as a leader.” - Kachi, Middle School Program Manager
“Rejoice is a leader amongst his peers. He shows up every day with a positive attitude that is infectious. I admire how he will tackle any challenge head on as he is always open to learning new things. He is an exceptional member of our teen program and I can’t wait to see what is ahead for him!” - Gabbi, Teen Program Coordinator
Rejoice is a busy guy, constantly taking advantage of as many opportunities as King Street Center provides. He’s participated in CHILL Fall Skate, CHILL Winter Snowboard, Mindful Crafting Club lef by UVM Intern, Storytelling Club led by Full Circle Theater, Junior Milers, and Job Club. He will be participating in CHILL Skate again this summer and is hoping to earn a spot working on the King Street Center Lemonade Stand outside ECHO starting at the end of June!
Congratulations, Rejoice! |
| | |  | |  | Our high school Academic & Career Exploration (ACE) program has been heating up with lots of activities and outings!
ACE continues to grow and enhance offerings for high school students to explore and plan for their future beyond high school graduation. Last year, 17 students completed the program.
This year, we’re excited to report that 31 high schoolers are currently enrolled across our 4 tiers of programming. ACE 1 (9th grade): Youth join career exposure trips and start identifying interests. ACE 2 (10th grade): They attend workshops on resume writing, financial literacy, and soft skills led by professionals in the community. ACE 3 (11th grade): Students begin narrowing their path — this is where we’re helping students — like one current junior — apply to apprenticeships and tech programs. ACE 4 (12th grade): Students participate in job shadows, internships, or meet a mentor in their identified career field, including trades.
In the past few weeks, ACE participants have participated in: Vermont Professionals of Color Network career panel discussion UVM Career Exploration & Preparation with UVM alumni BETA Technologies tour and interviews with employees Interview with Harmony Edosomwan, local chef, author, activist, and self-proclaimed serial-entrepreneur NBC5 News Station facility tour and watched live news segment on set Time Management Training with Myle Barr, Executive Assistant at Commonwealth Financil Group UVM Navigating College Training with student panel discussion VSAC College & Career Pathways event Open house at Hula Lakeside
The cohort is looking forward to several opportunities over April break later this month including a visit to Champlain College, a resume writing workshop with BETA, a tour of Husky Technologies, and more! |
| | |  | | Huge THANKS to our good friends and neighbors, TD Bank, who hosted our K-5 program for a tour and chat about the importance of financial literacy. We got a super special chance to check out the vault and meet some friendly faces!
Thanks, TD! |
|  | |  | |  | Emma Paradis, Manager of Policy and Strategic Initiatives at CommonGood VT, hosts a conversation with Shabnam Nolan of King Street Center and Rhoni Basden of Vermont Works for Women. Hear stories from the frontlines as Vermont nonprofits speak out on the impact of federal actions. |
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| |  | Youth engagement and community-building is a big topic in our community, particularly in the Champlain Valley. Between social media and the lack of "third spaces," or places for young people to gather, groups in our region have pinpointed areas where kids need guidance.
"It doesn't really matter the age of the child or the demographic, necessarily. What matters is if a child needs something, if a child is in trouble, or if a child feels like they don't know what to do and they are feeling hopeless, there needs to be an adult they feel they can go to," said Shabnam Nolan, the Executive Director at the King Street Center in Burlington. |
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