Pathways Vermont Community Center supports adults who are at risk of contact with crisis services due to mental health distress, addiction or trauma – but are not accessing traditional support services.
Pathways Vermont Community Center (PVCC) opened it’s doors in May 2012 and has been a valued resource for individuals seeking community and alternative resources for mental wellness.
Pathways Vermont Community Center is located at 279 North Winooski Avenue, in Burlington’s Old North End.
weekly virtual groups
Pathways Vermont Community Center is committed to continuing to provide ways to find connection and community during this difficult time. Although we have sadly had to close our doors for the near future we have adapted our weekly groups on a virtual platform! Please click each group to be taken to the Zoom link. See you online!
Virtual Weekly Group Schedule
- Monday
Laughter Yoga
2pm-3pm EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/995144322
Laughter Yoga was founded in India in 1995, by Dr. Madan Kataria, M.D., and his wife Madhuri, a yoga teacher. It combines gentle yogic breathing techniques with genuine, spontaneous laughter exercises. Dr. Kataria developed Laughter Yoga inspired by several scientific papers he had read on the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of genuine, spontaneous laughter. Anyone can do this practice; no yoga mat, or special clothing, required. Come as you are for a gentle, fun, easy, restorative session to start your week off feeling good.
Exploring Coming Off Psych Meds
3pm-4pm EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/360314495
Exploring Coming Off Psych Meds takes a Harm Reduction stance towards psychiatric medications, meaning that we encourage folks to see medications as one of many tools towards wellness. We share stories and experiences with medication, the reasons we may or may not take them, and how it may impact a sense of self. We welcome diverse perspectives and narratives around this experience and make space for all.
- Tuesday
Hearing Voices
2pm-3pm EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/363684506
Writing Circle
4pm-5pm EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/601343315
The Writing Circle format was first brought to The Pathways VT Community Center in May of 2014 by Hilary Melton, the Executive Director of Pathways Vermont. The inspiration for this format was introduced by Mary Beth Redmond.
The format of the group:
- A member of the group brings a printed agenda for each participant that includes a quote and poem or short story, and related writing prompts.
- We have a free-write for 15-20 minutes where we can write in any style, either inspired by the prompts or about anything we’d like!
- We share our writing pieces with the group (although it’s optional), and as we’re sharing, the rest of the group writes down, verbatim, words and phrases that jump out at or stick with us.
- We read aloud all the words and phrases that we have transcribed, omitting any feedback!
- As homework, someone creates a collage or found poem, using as many of the group’s words and phrases as possible, for the following group. The found poem can include additional words and small modifications to tense, etc., but will be primarily unedited.
- Wednesday
Employment Seekers Support Group
3pm-4pm EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/s/890506521
Employment Seekers Support Group is a space to talk about the emotions surrounding work – positive, negative, or neutral. Whether you have a job or not, this group helps navigate the frustrations, successes, challenges, and hopes of working or thinking about working. Each person checks in about where they are in the employment process and then we have a discussion based on the topics brought up, oriented around peer support. Employment can add to one’s overall wellness, and it can also be a struggle. We are here to be a support network through your employment journey.
Anxiety Relief Group
4pm-5pm EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89850461015
Anxiety Relief Group is a safe setting for relaxing and exploring your feelings with others through gentle socialization and self expression. Building up what makes you centered and strong.
- Thursday
Trauma Peer Support Group
1pm-2pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86057561403
Managing feelings like loneliness, guilt, and worry doesn’t have to be done alone. Trauma support groups are offered at Pathways Vermont for individuals who have experienced a traumatic event and are at any stage of their recovery process. Whether you have recently experienced a traumatic event, been struggling with symptoms for the past few years, or have received professional support for your experience, we are here for you! This support group is not recommended as a replacement for professional support, but rather a supplementary tool people can utilize in their recovery journey.
- Friday
Open Ears & Open Minds
1pm-2pm EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/344880866
Open Ears, Open Minds is a fairly informal peer support session with a loose agenda; a time to gather over Zoom and share what has been going on for you during your week; what has been on your mind, and anything you may need support around or are excited about. Inspirational artwork and quotes are brought in and discussion questions inspired by the quotes are written up. We then share topics of interest. These sessions are mutual, safe spaces for everyone to share openly. We look forward to meeting you!
Women’s Peer Support Group
6:30pm-8:00pm EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86178994325
The WPSG is a place for women to come together to offer each other support, strength and unconditional acceptance. In this group we will discuss and shed the ideals and preconceived notions that society and others place upon us. We will talk about the challenges we face, such as children, relationships, sexuality, work, ect, to reaching our personal and professional goals in a safe and supportive space. This group offers a positive, encouraging, honest and thoughtful environment to explore womanhood- what it means to be a woman and what it looks like to thrive as a woman in today’s world.
Creating Community Alternatives
Pathways Vermont Community Center aims to cultivate a vibrant community that supports resilience through collective learning, creative exploration and mutual support. PVCC offers a range of services including support groups, individual peer support services, supportive employment services, art and music activities, wellness workshops and a welcoming space for people to spend unstructured time with access to free Wi-Fi, public computers, snacks, tea and coffee.
Community Meals
*Meal service is currently on hold during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Pathways Vermont Community Center offers regular meals to the public, free of charge. We offer meals at 5:00 pm on Wednesday evenings and 1:00 pm Thursday afternoons.
Employment Services
The Pathways Vermont Community Center’s employment team combines the principles of peer support with the evidence-based practice of Individualized Placement & Support- Supported Employment (IPS-SE) to help community members achieve employment goals. In addition to one-on-one employment support, the employment team facilitates an Employment Seekers Support Groups each week to allow for mutual support and low-barrier engagement in supported employment.
In 2015, Pathways Vermont Community Center was invited to join the Dartmouth Individual Placement and Support Collaborative due to its high performance in implementing the model. This relationship will not only support the strength of our Vermont-based program but will also allow the program to be involved in the ongoing development of the IPS-SE model.
Peer Support
*If you are seeking peer support during the coronavirus pandemic please call the Pathways Vermont Support Line at (833) VT – TALKS from 9am – 6am or attend one of our virtual groups listed at the top of this page!
Pathways Vermont Community Center is staffed by individuals who identify as having lived experience with issues such as mental health crisis, trauma, substance use and homelessness. Staff are trained to provide what is commonly referred to as “peer support.” Peer Support is a service delivery distinct from traditional mental health services. The peer approach to services encourages individuals to draw from their own lived experience when supporting others. This unique approach to relationships with service recipients has been proven effective in engaging individuals who might otherwise avoid mental health services and at promoting hope, resiliency and well-being.
