Steady & Prepared: An Update From King Street
Dear Friends,
Fear is like fog. It rolls in quietly, makes familiar paths feel uncertain, and consumes the environment around us.
As the fear of increased immigration enforcement has spread across our community, many of you have reached out with concerns and questions about what an increase in ICE’s presence could mean for our youth and families.
This tells us that while fear is powerful, so too is community, and the care that Vermonters have for one another.
In times of uncertainty, King Street Center’s responsibility is to be both steady and prepared. Clarity comes not from rushing forward, but from slowing down, staying connected, and trusting what has carried us this far. Our guiding priority remains the safety, dignity, and well-being of the children, youth, and families who rely on us.
When visibility is limited, what matters most is staying oriented — to one another, to our values, and to the children and families at the heart of this work.
Preparation, for us, means coherence, alignment, and readiness, not disruption or alarm. We believe our role is to remain a trusted, stabilizing presence for youth, families, staff and the broader community.
Our Leadership Team is actively engaged in thoughtful planning so we are ready to respond responsibly if circumstances shift in Burlington. This includes:
Preparing for a range of possible scenarios and developing responses that center safety, calm, and clarity
Ensuring staff are supported with up-to-date guidance and safety protocols
Staying connected with the school district, City, trusted community partners and legal advocates to ensure accurate, coordinated planning
Reaffirming our commitments to confidentiality and privacy for the youth and families we serve
And should there come a time when we need to call upon you, our supporters and volunteers, to show up, stand up, and speak up for those that King Street Center serves, we know you will not hesitate to answer our call.
Thank you for reaching out and for being part of a community that looks out for each other.
With Gratitude,
Shabnam
Executive Director
