The mission of the Sara Holbrook Community Center is to develop responsible and productive children, youth and families through social development, educational and recreational opportunities. The Center serves Chittenden County with a primary focus being on the North End of Burlington.

For 70 years, the Sara Holbrook Community Center has been an integral part of Burlington, especially in its North End. Each year 4,000 children and families, including refugees and immigrants, engage is a variety of programs: pre-school, teen activities, English classes, after-school programming, and summer camps.

Located in the Old North End of Burlington, the Center serves a diverse community, with families struggling to just get by; in fact, according, to U.S. Census 2000 data, Old North End neighborhoods constitute the highest concentration of poverty in Burlington and the entire state of Vermont. The community’s need has been well-documented:

• 20% of Burlington residents live below the federal poverty guideline (U.S. Census 2000).

• 31.4% of residents in the Old North End of Burlington live below the federal poverty level (Community Economic Development Office).

• 100% of elementary school children living in the Old North End qualify to receive a free or reduced priced lunch (Burlington School District & Community Economic Development Office).

• In 1980, Burlington, Vermont became one of ten federally funded refugee resettlement sites in the United States.

• From 1980 to 2000, 3,828 refugees have been directed to Burlington; 1,438 of them within the last 6 years (Vermont State Refugee Coordinator). Because the Old North End is the most affordable location in Burlington, refugees and immigrants tend to settle within walking distance of the SHCC; hence, access to SHCC programs is convenient.

• Refugee families have eight months of Federal financial support; during this time, it is expected that refugees learn a new language and culture, establish employment, and become self-sufficient.

• Your support to the Sara Holbrook Community Center is an investment that makes a difference in the lives of children and families in need. Last year, 90 cents of every dollar raised went to program services.

For futher information, please Contact Us

  
66 North Avenue • Burlington, VT 05401 • (802) 862-6342 • info@saraholbrookcc.org