Meet the Moment

Dear Friends,

In a moment when so many are struggling to hold on to safety, and stability, your support restores hope and possibility. Right now, children and families in our community are navigating enormous pressure, from rising costs to shrinking safety nets. But at King Street Center, because of you, they find something different — a place that lifts them up, surrounds them with care, and helps them not just survive, but truly thrive.

At King Street Center, community isn’t just a comforting idea, it is a daily lifeline. Every day, children walk through our doors carrying stress that no child should have to bear — fear for their safety, worry about food or housing, and the weight of uncertainty. And every day, they find caring adults, joyful learning, and a place that says: you belong. For the families we serve, King Street isn’t a service, it’s hope and the belief that their children’s future can be different.

That vision and impact has deepened and expanded dramatically in recent years. What was once a small neighborhood afterschool program is now a full-scale youth development and family empowerment hub serving over 400 community members a year. We’ve grown in size, scope, and strategy, launching new programs like Academic & Career Exploration and Family Support, and doubling down on youth voice, mental health support, and racial equity. 

We’ve evolved because we had to. Because our community deserves more. And because donors like you believe in what’s possible.

King Street Center today offers more than just a safe place to be. We are a place where kids learn and grow into leaders, families find belonging and support, and where joy and justice live side by side. Every gift helps build real pathways to a stronger, safer Burlington.

One night made this transformation especially clear. We hosted one of our largest-ever family dinners, with nearly 200 people packed into our building. Together, families, staff, and youth prepared a beautiful meal in our kitchen, rugs were laid down to make the space feel like home, and our middle schoolers performed a play that brought the room to life with laughter and pride. For a few precious hours, stress gave way to connection. Immigrant families felt welcomed, gathering without fear. Working parents found a moment of relief, feeling seen. Children were embraced by the love and support of their community. That night, we weren’t just surviving. We were thriving.

Moments like this don’t happen by accident. They happen because of you.

Your generosity fuels everything we do, from serving meals and providing mentoring, to creating career pathways and advocating for a more just and equitable Burlington. Your support means that a child doesn’t fall through the cracks, a family finds stability, and a community finds hope.

Please join us by making a gift today. Your support ensures that children and families don’t just have a safety net, but also a bridge to stability, hope, and the bright futures they deserve.

with deep gratitude,
Shabnam

P.S. Hope is powerful, but it needs your help to grow. Your gift today will ensure children are nurtured, families are supported, and no one faces hardship alone.