Ribbon Cutting Photo L to R: Nico Oldfield, Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Representative Daisy Berbeco (& daughter), Hilary Melton, Gus Seelig, Commissioner Emily Hawes

This month, Pathways Vermont reached a historic milestone. On February 2nd, we officially cut the ribbon on our Permanent Home for Soteria House!

The spark for this project started almost four years ago when Hilary Melton, Executive Director, and Jenny Johnson, Director of Property Development, found this property and had a vision. Years of planning, construction, and visioning led us to where we are now: a permanent home for a life-changing program.

We are so grateful to Nico Oldfield (Pathways), Jenny Johnson (Pathways), DMH Commissioner Emily Hawes, Emma Mulvaney-Stanak (Burlington Mayor), Representative Daisy Berbeco, and Gus Seeling (VHCB) for speaking at our ribbon-cutting and emphasizing the life-changing program that now has a permanent home in the heart of Burlington.

A huge thank you to everyone who had a hand in making this home what it is today. We are so proud to offer innovative mental health alternatives that meet people where they are, and provide access to choice, connection, and community.

Learn more about who was involved in this project here. 

This May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, Vermont businesses are coming together to raise awareness and funds that will support our programs and services. 

This fundraiser takes place from May 1st to May 30th, and Pathways Vermont is inviting local businesses to participate in their own way at any time during the month of May! 

Ways to Get Involved:

Fitness & Wellness Studios: Offer a benefit class on a specific day in May, or host a series of classes throughout the month with donations benefiting Pathways Vermont.

Local Businesses: Donate a portion of a day's proceeds or a specific dollar amount per item sold (e.g., $1 per coffee) during the month of May. 

Your Own Idea: We are open to any creative way you’d like to show support!

By partnering with us, you’re helping Pathways Vermont celebrate 16 years of providing innovative mental health services and community-based support across the state, and helping to raise awareness and support for mental health challenges and experiences. 

Please follow the button to fill out the Google Form to officially sign up.

Do you know a local business that may want to get involved? Reach out to [email protected]. We would love to connect with you.  

The Vermont Support Line provides confidential, non-judgmental support and connection for all Vermonters over the age of 18 by phone. It’s staffed by local people who’ve been through tough situations themselves. They listen, talk with you, and help you face life’s challenges.

Unlike a crisis helpline or emergency hotline, the Vermont Support Line is a “warm line”—your go-to support resource that can help prevent a situation from escalating to an emergency. 

We focus on interpersonal connection and confidential mental health support for a wide range of issues: from the anger you feel after a bad day, to times when you feel alone, to when you need support for substance use, medical concerns, relationship challenges, or thoughts of suicide.

In 2025, Vermont Support Line Operators completed 14,863 calls and 891 texts. 

Meet the staff members of the Pathways Vermont Training Institute (PVTI) at Pathways Vermont! 

Pathways Vermont Training Institute (PVTI) provides training and technical assistance for a wide variety of audiences, including peer support, community mental health, and other human service organizations. Our offerings are focused on peer support values, ethics, and best practices, as well as Pathways Vermont's Relationship-First Practice. Our trauma-informed approach prioritizes choice and self-determination, and our content is grounded in self-reflection, compassion for those who are struggling, and the power of human connection. Our team are considered leaders in their field and have a diverse background of skills and lived experience. 

Since 2020, PVTI has operated the Peer Workforce Development Initiative, a Department of Mental Health-funded resource for Vermont-based peer support workers to access training, mentorship, and guidance. In 2025, PVTI established the VT Peer Certification Training Center to design, deliver, and maintain the training program for Certification of Adult Mental Health Peer Support Providers in Vermont. Additionally, PVTI is the designated VT Intentional Peer Support Hub, which offers Intentional Peer Support (IPS) training and co-reflection statewide through a combination of DMH funding and contracts with agencies and organizations. PVTI also provides training to Pathways Vermont staff and supports service quality and values alignment across the agency. 

Outside of Vermont, PVTI has provided training and technical assistance to a variety of individuals and agencies across the world for over a decade. Clients have included organizations in the United States, including Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington, as well as international groups from the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Bhutan, and England. Our team has presented at national and international conferences on topics such as peer support, suicide care, the Soteria model, permanent supportive housing, disrupting the institutional circuit, and Pathways Vermont’s Relationship-First Practice. 

Please visit https://vermontpeerworkforce.org/ to learn more about our Vermont-based efforts. Reach out to [email protected] to learn more about our national and international training opportunities. 

The Vermont Peer Workforce is a group of leaders in the state’s peer workforce movement working to improve fidelity, consistency, infrastructure, communication, resource sharing, and coalition building.

This group is dedicated to ensuring that the Vermont peer workforce has a place to belong, a place to learn, and a place to go to for the most up-to-date information regarding mental health peer support in VT. It is operated by the Pathways Vermont Training Institute team and intends to incorporate voice and collaboration from peer support stakeholders from across the state. 

Staff members of the Training Institute have been hard at work on their newest project: The VT Peer Certification Training Center. 

The Training Center will provide the training to become a Certified Peer Support Provider, conduct eligibility applications, ensure information is available to the public, evaluate trainings, and collaborate with the VT Peer Credentialing Center, which is managed by The Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery. 

Pathways Vermont is excited to partner with Faith United Methodist Church in South Burlington for their drive-thru lasagna fundraiser this year!

This fundraiser will take place on March 27th and 28th, and we need your help to make it happen! There are various ways to volunteer, including collecting donations, prepping lasagna, and day-of event support.

Please follow the button to sign up to help! Thank you for your support. 

Pathways Vermont is excited to share our updated programming at Morgan's Place Peer Support Center! Unless otherwise noted, these groups are available in person at 50 South Willard Street in Burlington. Check out the Morgan's Place page on our website for more information!

On May 20th, we are rebooting our Community Breakfast Fundraiser, an event that, pre-pandemic, was one of the most energizing and community-filled mornings of the year.

Our Community Breakfast Fundraiser brings together a room full of community, inspiration, and shared commitment. It’s been a while, and we’re looking forward to being back together. 

We’d love to have you at a table! If you’d like to receive an invitation, please email [email protected] so we can add you to the list.

We can’t wait to come together and spend some time reflecting on the past, present, and future of Pathways Vermont.

Pathways Vermont provides innovative mental health services and collaborative learning that foster choice, connection, and community.

Your donation today will make a positive impact on the lives of Vermonters across the state!

We are so grateful to each and everyone who supports Pathways Vermont. Your dedication to our mission is transforming lives. Thank you!