Pathways Vermont Community Center
Pathways Vermont Community Center supports young adults, aged 18-34, who are at risk of contact with crisis services due to mental health distress, addiction or trauma – but are not accessing traditional support services.
Formally known as the Wellness Co-op, 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.
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.
Promoting Resilience & Wellness
Pathways Vermont Community Center provides alternative mental health resources within the community, including:
- Hearing Voices support groups,
- Mindfulness Meditation,
- Employment Seeker’s Support Group,
- Laughter Yoga,
- Open Ears, Open Mind Peer Support Circle
Community Meals
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.
Our kitchen is also open to use by the public. To use, you must complete one hour training and participate in community meal prep on a regular basis.
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 two 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
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.
Visit Us
Come see us at 279 North Winooski Avenue in Burlington. We are open everyday from Noon to 5 pm and we stay open until 7 pm on Wednesdays for our community dinner.
