All posts by Jess Hyman

Welcome new HAP interns!

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Please join us in welcoming CVOEO’s Fall 2025 Housing Advocacy Programs interns, Riley Machanic and Meryl Hartmann.

Riley and Meryl were paired with CVOEO through the University of Vermont’s Communities of Practice course: Nonprofits and Social Change, which matches students to various Vermont nonprofit organizations based on their interests and majors. They are excited to be interning with CVOEO this semester and to contribute to the organization’s advocacy efforts through research, education, and outreach. At UVM, they recognize a need for education because so many students are first-time renters and don’t know their rights and responsibilities as tenants. In addition to individual projects, they will coordinate an educational drop-in workshop designed to engage current and future student renters in Burlington.

Hello! I’m Riley Machanic, a senior in Economics and a 3rd generation UVM student.

In my free time, I like to play chess and spend time with my 2 dogs. I was born here in Burlington and grew up in South Burlington. Needless to say, I have a lot of love for this place and I am so excited for this opportunity to get involved with CVOEO. As an economics major, I have a huge interest in the housing market, its role in Vermont’s economy, and how we got into this current situation. I wanted to intern with CVOEO because they’re fighting for Vermonters’ rights to fair and affordable housing. With the supply and demand of affordable housing so far out of equilibrium, finding an apartment can feel very overwhelming and daunting. CVOEO has so many amazing resources and tools that make housing more approachable and accessible.

This semester, I will be developing an evaluation tool to collect data and feedback on client outcomes and satisfaction regarding the efficacy of the Housing Advocacy Programs’ resources and workshops. Understanding how clients are absorbing and utilizing information is crucial to helping more people in the future.

Contact Riley at riley.machanic@cvoeo.org

Hi! Meryl Hartmann, a UVM senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Law and Society.

I am originally from Woodbury, Conn., a small, tight-knit town in Litchfield County. Growing up, I often visited Vermont on trips to a family friend’s farm in Orwell, which fostered my early connection to the state. As a political science major, I remain attuned to the shifting political landscape and its challenges for the non-profit sector in this country. My commitment to human rights advocacy motivates me to contribute actively to CVOEO’s mission of serving the Vermont renter community through education, support, and outreach. I believe that all Vermonters should have equitable access to these supportive resources and fair housing. As a student renter in Burlington, I am passionate about raising awareness in the Vermont community about the issues that affect renters, as well as their rights and responsibilities.

My main project for this semester is designing materials in the form of research-based social media posts and blog posts to help renters better navigate the Vermont housing landscape, which can be overwhelming, especially for low-income tenants in today’s challenging climate.

Contact Meryl at meryl.hartmann@cvoeo.org

Join us for the last week of Fair Housing Month events!

affirmatively furthering fair housing, April Fair Housing Month, Art, Event, fair housing fridays, Fair Housing Month, HeART & Home, housing language, library partnership, racial justice

It’s been a busy and fun month so far with thought-provoking Fair Housing Friday webinars, community Know Your Rights workshops, more than 1,000 art kits distributed through libraries and housing sites across the state, and more. We’re also collaborating with the City of Burlington’s Community & Economic Development Office to distribute more art kits, along with free books on issues of housing and homelessness.

Yesterday’s Fair Housing Month event at Champlain Street Park in Burlington combined park clean-up, art, and neighborhood connections with inspiring words about housing equity, environmental justice, and community from CVOEO, Burlington’s Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion & Belonging and Parks & Recreation Department, and reps from our congressional delegation. See some of the news coverage here: https://www.mynbc5.com/article/burlington-community-members-clean-up-parks-to-help-promote-equitable-housing/43647899

Also yesterday, a sweet HeART & Home activity hosted by the Groton Public Library and RuralEdge brought together a small group of elementary school students and seniors to make art related to home and community.

          .

Here’s a sampling of what’s coming up next – please join us!

  • THURSDAY 4/20 is a conversation about the connections between public spaces, art, and home at the opening reception for CVOEO Fair Housing Project staffer and artist Corrine Yonce’s “Longing Is Just a Word for Knowing” exhibit at King Street Laundromat, 3-6pm at 72 King St.
  • FRIDAY 4/21 is the last Fair Housing Friday webinar, Visions of Home: Broadening the Way We Envision Home and Community, 12:30-1:30pm via Zoom. REGISTER HERE
  • NEXT WEEK, there will be two more in-person events in Burlington:
  • PARTNER EVENTS ALL OVER VERMONT – Details at https://fairhousingmonthvt.org/event-calendar:
    • Friday 4/21: Fair Housing Feedback at Bradford Public Library with DHCD
    • Friday 4/21: Homes for Hartford Paint & Sip hosted by Junction Arts & Media
    • Monday 4/24: Bellows Falls Garage Affordable Housing Opening with Windham & Windsor Housing Trust
    • Tuesday 4/25: HeART & Home Exhibit Reception at Bent Northrop Library in Fairfield
    • Wednesday 4/26: Finding Home Drop-in Watercolor at South Burlington Public Library with Art Show Reception Saturday 4/29
    • Friday 4/28: Fair Housing Feedback at Brownell Library in Essex with DHCD.
    • Saturday 4/29: BIPOC Centered Homebuyer Group with The Root and Windham & Windsor Housing Trust
    • Wednesday 5/3: Affordable Housing Discussion inspired by the book Fixer Upper: How to Repair America’s Broken Housing  System hosted by South Burlington Public Library, South Burlington Affordable Housing Committee, and CVOEO
    • Wednesday 5/3: Fair Housing Feedback at Bennington Free Library with DHCD.
About Fair Housing Month 

Each April we celebrate the 1968 passage of the Fair Housing Act with a series of free public education and art events to raise awareness about the importance of equal access to housing, free from discrimination, and the positive role that inclusive, affordable housing plays in thriving communities. Virtual and in-person activities include workshops, community discussions, presentations, library events, and the all-ages HeART & Home Community Art Project. 

Fair Housing is the right to equal opportunity in housing choice and the right to rent or buy a dwelling free from discrimination. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and family status. Vermont has additional protections based on age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, receipt of public assistance, being a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and denial of development permitting based on the income of prospective residents. For more information about fair housing in Vermont, visit www.cvoeo.org/FHP or email fhp@cvoeo.org.

The Fair Housing Project of CVOEO coordinates April Fair Housing Month activities in collaboration with a statewide network of housing, community, and arts partners, including Burlington City Arts, Burlington Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO), Burlington Office of Racial Equity Inclusion and Belonging (REIB), Junction Arts Media, ONE Arts, Randolph Community Development Corporation, RuralEdge, Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition, Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development, Vermont Department of Libraries, Vermont Human Rights Commission, Vermont Legal Aid, Vital Communities, and White River Valley Consortium. These activities are made possible through the generous sponsorship of Farrell Properties, CEDO, REIB, Champlain Housing Trust, Redstone,  Vermont State Housing Authority, Evernorth, Main Street Landing, Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, Cathedral Square, and Pomerleau Real Estate.

 

April is Fair Housing Month – Statewide Events Celebrate Home & Community!

affirmatively furthering fair housing, April Fair Housing Month, Art, Event, fair housing fridays, Fair Housing Month, HeART & Home, housing language, library partnership, racial justice

Each April we celebrate the 1968 passage of the Fair Housing Act with a series of free public education and art events to raise awareness about the importance of equal access to housing, free from discrimination, and the positive role that inclusive, affordable housing plays in thriving communities. Virtual and in-person activities include workshops, community discussions, presentations, library events, and the all-ages HeART & Home Community Art Project.

Here’s a sampling of this year’s statewide events. For full schedule and details visit https://fairhousingmonthvt.org/event-calendar.

  • BURLINGTON IN-PERSON EVENTS: Champlain Street Park Community Action Day 11am-2pm April 19 – park clean up, activities and lunch; “Longing Is Just a Word for Knowing” – art opening, conversation, refreshments 3-6pm April 20; “Vocabulary of Home: A Conversation on How We Talk About Housing”- 6-7:30pm April 26; Main Street Landing movie night, April 28.
  • EXHIBITS: “Redlining Our Souls” at Junction Arts Media in White River Junction, “Home and How We Make It” at River Arts in Morrisville, “Longing Is Just a Word for Knowing” at King Street Laundry in Burlington, and a Fair Housing Month display at Burlington City Hall.
  • FAIR HOUSING FRIDAYS: Informational, interactive sessions hosted by the Fair Housing Project of CVOEO with guests from communities and organizations around the state, 12:30pm, April 7, 14, and 21 via Zoom.
  • TENANTS RIGHTS & FAIR HOUSING WORKSHOPS: Opportunities for the general public, housing and service providers, landlords, and others to learn about fair housing and renters’ rights and responsibilities and discuss current issues. In-person and virtual sessions in Burlington, Groton, Lyndonville, South Burlington, Winooski, and White River Junction.
  • LIBRARY ACTIVITIES: Book discussions, StoryWalks®, art activities, Fair Housing drop-in sessions with the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development, and other community events at participating libraries all over the state in partnership with the VT Department of Libraries.
  • HeART & HOME COMMUNITY ART PROJECT: Art activities and exhibits at libraries and housing and community sites. It’s easy to join this all-ages art project! 1) Pick up an art kit at CVOEO or participating sites or download the creative prompts and use your own materials; 2) Create a drawing, collage, painting, photo, sculpture, comic, or any other type of art; and 3) Share a photo of your creation to be added to the online community gallery and be entered in a prize drawing. Send photos to fhp@cvoeo.org.

Fair Housing is the right to equal opportunity in housing choice and the right to rent or buy a dwelling free from discrimination. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and family status. Vermont has additional protections based on age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, receipt of public assistance, being a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and denial of development permitting based on the income of prospective residents.

For more information about fair housing in Vermont, visit www.cvoeo.org/FHP or email fhp@cvoeo.org.

The Fair Housing Project of CVOEO coordinates April Fair Housing Month activities in collaboration with a statewide network of housing, community, and arts partners, including Burlington City Arts, Burlington Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO), Burlington Office of Racial Equity Inclusion and Belonging (REIB), Junction Arts Media, ONE Arts, Randolph Community Development Corporation, RuralEdge, Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition, Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development, Vermont Department of Libraries, Vermont Human Rights Commission, Vermont Legal Aid, Vital Communities, and White River Valley Consortium. These activities are made possible through the generous sponsorship of Farrell Properties, CEDO, REIB, Champlain Housing Trust, Redstone,  Vermont State Housing Authority, Evernorth, Main Street Landing, Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, Cathedral Square, and Pomerleau Real Estate.

ATTN Vermont Housing Committees: This conference is for you!

affordable housing, housing committee, Inclusive Communities, Municipal and Regional Planning, Vermont, zoning

Limited conference scholarships available for Housing Committee members: Nov. 11 deadline

VHFA’s 2022 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference is Wednesday, Nov. 16 in Burlington. The day includes an exciting lineup of interactive sessions that cover policy tools, community case studies, and strategies for pulling together the pieces needed to solve Vermont’s big housing problems. 

Among the highlights:

  • This year’s theme is “What YOU can do to help solve the housing crisis”
  • Keynote speaker Cornell Professor Sara Bronin will discuss her work on how law and policy can foster more equitable, sustainable, and connected places.
  • The Fair Housing Project of CVOEO is facilitating a special session for local Housing Committees with co-hosts Katie Ballard (Essex/Essex Junction Joint Housing Commission), Eric Durocher (Dover & Wilmington Bi-Town Housing Committee), Saudia Lamont (Lamoille Working Communities Challenge Housing Committee), and Sarah Martel (Thetford Housing Committee).

“Making change at the local level: Housing committee roundtable” will bring together members of housing committees from all over the state to discuss common challenges and opportunities, share innovative practices and policies, and brainstorm ways to collaborate with and learn from each other. This facilitated, attendee-driven session is intended for members of active and developing housing committees (municipal housing commissions, community groups focused on affordable housing, and everything in between). It’s a way to learn from other groups with similar goals, share your successes, and identify solutions to common challenges, such as refinement of mission, funding, cross-sector collaboration, equity and representation, member recruitment, community outreach, affordable housing messaging, and more. Through small group and full group discussion, attendees will gain a better understanding of the breadth and depth of housing committee activities, pinpoint specific and actionable next steps in their communities, and identify gaps in resources, information, and support. The session is facilitated by Jess Hyman of CVOEO with co-hosts from the four different Housing Committees . 

The Housing Committee session is just one of more than a dozen workshops throughout the day that include opportunities to learn about the latest tools and best practices related to housing affordability and inclusivity. And, since making new connections and renewing existing ones are critical to putting ideas into practice, there will be plenty of networking breaks and a late afternoon reception overlooking beautiful Lake Champlain.

Register for the conference here.

The Fair Housing Project has a limited number of full registration scholarships available for housing committee members. To request a scholarship, please email fhp@cvoeo.org with “Conference Scholarship” in the subject line. The request deadline is Friday, Nov. 11. For municipal housing committees and participants who work for housing-related organizations, we ask that you first check to see if your town/city/organization can cover the registration fee.

We’re looking forward to seeing you on the 16th!

And here’s a great resource for Housing Committees: https://housingdata.org/toolbox/steps-for-municipalities/housing-committees

Vermont Racial Justice Housing Jam: Speaker Series Starts Nov. 3

civil rights, Disparate Impact, Event, fair housing, housing, housing discrimination, housing inequality, Housing Inequality, racial justice
Register now for Increasing Racial Justice in Vermont Housing speaker series

A group of Vermont housing organizations is hosting a free four-part series examining how racial inequities impact access to housing in Vermont.

The public speaker series has been developed by Abundant Sun, together with the Vermont Racial Justice Housing Jam, a committee of community members with lived experience and representatives from nonprofit housing organizations. Local, national, and international speakers will address selected topics focused on increasing racial justice and equity in Vermont housing.  The goal of the initiative is to identify actions on policy, programmatic and cultural levels to expand access to affordable housing for all Vermonters.

All sessions are free and open to the public, and will be held via Zoom from 4:30-6pm with presentations followed by discussions (click on each title to register):

The Vermont Racial Justice Housing Jam is coordinated by the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, working in partnership with Abundant Sun, Champlain Housing Trust, Downstreet Housing & Community Development, RuralEdge, Windham & Windsor Housing Trust, NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, NeighborWorks America, and Vermont Housing Finance Agency, with additional support from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston.

Assistance animals are not pets

disability, housing inequality, Inclusive Communities, reasonable accommodation

This post was also published as a commentary in VTDigger.

The recent VTDigger article “‘All I have left’: The struggle of seeking shelter with pets” highlighted the challenges of equitable housing access for people with pets and assistance animals.

The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity’s Fair Housing Project and the Vermont Tenants Hotline receive a lot of questions related to assistance animals from renters and also from housing and service providers around the state. I’m writing to share some information about fair housing rights for people with disabilities, provide resources for anyone experiencing discrimination in their housing, and advocate for a shift in how transitional housing providers accommodate both assistance animals and pets.

First of all, and most importantly, assistance animals are not pets. They are a special class of animal protected under the Fair Housing Act, which includes service animals, companion animals, emotional support animals, and therapy animals. Assistance animals do not need to be specially trained and can be any reasonable animal. This is much broader than public accommodations for service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which must be trained to do work or perform tasks that are directly related to an individual’s disability.

Anyone with a disability (physical, mental or in recovery from addiction) has the right to request a reasonable accommodation to have an animal that helps the person have full use and enjoyment of their home. The animal may provide assistance, perform tasks or provide emotional support to alleviate a symptom or effect of the person’s disability. There must be a nexus between the disability and the need for the animal. Housing providers can ask for documentation from a medical or service professional, but they cannot ask the nature of the disability.

Housing providers must respond to the requests in a timely fashion and cannot say no to a reasonable accommodation request just because of a “no pet” policy, and charging a fee or a pet deposit for an assistance animal is against the law. Visit the HUD website for information on what constitutes “reasonable.”

There is much legal debate about whether shelters and short-term transitional lodging are covered under the Fair Housing Act, which would allow all types of assistance animals, or just under ADA, which only allows trained service animals. No matter what, motels are always covered under the ADA and must allow service animals.

At CVOEO, we know it is difficult for people who are low-income, people with disabilities, and especially people experiencing homelessness to navigate and afford to have a trained service animal under the ADA. We firmly believe that transitional housing should at minimum follow fair housing rules for assistance animals and ideally allow pets as well. We strongly encourage motels and service providers who are receiving public funds to recognize the critical role animals have in the lives of the people we serve and to foster environments for people — and their animals — to live in safety and with dignity.

More resources and how to get help:

April Is Fair Housing Month – Celebrate Inclusive Communities and the Importance of Home

affirmatively furthering fair housing, April Fair Housing Month

Each April we celebrate the 1968 passage of the Fair Housing Act with a series of free public education and art events to raise awareness about the importance of equal access to housing, free from discrimination, and the positive role that inclusive, affordable housing plays in thriving communities. Virtual and in-person activities include workshops, community discussions, library events, the all-ages HeART & Home Community Art Project, and an art contest and exhibit.

See below for a sampling of this year’s Fair Housing Month events. The full schedule and registration links are at https://fairhousingmonthvt.org. For more information, email fhp@cvoeo.org.

  • FAIR HOUSING FRIDAYS: Informational, interactive sessions hosted by the Fair Housing Project of CVOEO with guests from communities and organizations around the state, 12:30pm April 15, 22, and 29 via Zoom.
  • WORKSHOPS & TRAININGS: Opportunities for the general public, housing and service providers, landlords, and others to learn about fair housing rights and responsibilities and discuss current issues.
  • LIBRARY ACTIVITIES: Book discussions, StoryWalks®, HeART & Home art activities, and other community events at participating libraries all over the state in partnership with the VT Department of Libraries.
  • HeART & HOME COMMUNITY ART PROJECT: It’s easy to join this all-ages art project! 1) Pick up an art kit at CVOEO or participating local libraries or download the creative prompts and use your own materials; 2) Create a drawing, collage, painting, photo, sculpture, comic, or any other type of art; and 3) Share a photo of your creation to be added to the online community gallery and be entered in a prize drawing. Send photos to fhp@cvoeo.org or post to social media using #fairhousingmonthvt and tag @thrivingcommunitiesvt on Facebook and Instagram or @vtfairhousing on Twitter. All participants are entered to win prizes and invited to join the April 26 online Artist Reception.
  • ART CONTEST & EXHIBIT: Arts So Wonderful contest and exhibit on the theme of “What makes a thriving, inclusive community?” Open to all ages, with cash prizes for youth and adults. The submission deadline is April 24 with an opening reception at the gallery in South Burlington on April 29. More info at https://fairhousingmonthvt.org/asw-x-cvoeo-art-contest.  

Fair Housing is the right to equal opportunity in housing choice and the right to rent or buy a dwelling free from discrimination. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and family status. Vermont has additional protections based on age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, receipt of public assistance, being a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and denial of development permitting based on the income of prospective residents. For more information about fair housing in Vermont, visit www.cvoeo.org/FHP.

The Fair Housing Project of CVOEO coordinates April Fair Housing Month activities in collaboration with Vermont Department of Libraries, Vermont Library Association, ONE Arts Center, Arts So Wonderful, Burlington City Arts, Vermont Legal Aid, Vermont Human Rights Commission, Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition, Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development, CEDO, and other partners.

These activities are made possible with the support of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and event sponsorship from the “Champions of Affordable, Inclusive Housing” a group of private and non-profit housing providers and organizations including Farrell Properties, Vermont State Housing Authority, Redstone, Main Street Landing, Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Evernorth, Cathedral Square, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, and Pomerleau Real Estate. Library activities and art kits are supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency, through the Library Service and Technology Act as administered by the Vermont Department of Libraries.

 

CVOEO Statement of Support to the Asian-American Community

human rights, racial discrimination, , ,

The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity grieves for and stands with the victims, their families, and the entire community in Atlanta. We feel the burning pain of the intolerance, misogyny, and racism that led to these eight tragic deaths. We stand up in protest to their murders because we cannot bear to see racism, misogyny, or any other manifestation of intolerance exist and spread further fear. This has to stop.

To you, our Asian and Asian-American community members, you are our next-door neighbors; you are our co-workers, your children are our children’s classmates. We are each a part of one another. We see you. We see your strength. We see you rise, day after day, to make our community stronger. We see the many ways you contribute to and help lead our community. We see you making Vermont more inclusive and stronger every day.

When someone dies, we are called to remember how important and sacred life is. We must continually recommit to shared values that ensure safety, equity, and a more just society for all. At CVOEO, we strive to help build a diverse, fair, equitable, and unbiased society by providing support to individuals in meeting their needs and reaching their goals. We know that your safety is our safety and your freedom is our freedom. We are all in this life together.

As an organization, CVOEO will continue to take action to move towards a just society. We will continue advocating for policies, education and resources that dismantle racism. To our Asian and Asian-American community members, and our BIPOC and LGBTQ plus community members: We see you! We believe in your dignity, resilience and strength and we stand with you; you are part of us.

To people across Vermont we invite you to join with CVOEO as we strive towards a fair, equitable, and just society where each individual, regardless of their skin color, gender, sexual identity, religion, income level, or political affiliation, belongs.

Vermont Human Rights Commission Statement Against Asian American and Pacific Islander Violence & Discrimination

Please also see the recent statement by the Vermont Human Rights Commission in solidarity with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community members. HRC’s statement includes:

  • Statistics on incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against AAPI in the United States over the past year: 3,795 incidents, ranging from verbal harassment to physical assault. The Stop AAPI Hate Report paints only a sliver of what is happening on the ground because not all survivors of harassment, discrimination, and acts of violence come forward. There are many barriers to speaking out.  
  • A link to the recording of HRC’s May townhall “When Fear Turns to Hate: Addressing Racism in VT against Asian and Pacific Islander Communities.“
  • Concrete ways to support AAPI community members in Vermont:
    • On April 8th, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., join the Peace and Justice Center, SURJ, and the Vermont Human Rights Commission in a Bystander Intervention training. Register here: Meeting Registration
    • If you are a member of the AAPI community and would like to stay connected to other AAPI community members e-mail Amanda.garces@vermont.gov to direct you to grassroots groups creating connection and community. 
    • If you experience harassment or discrimination, report it to Human Rights Commission or Attorney General’s Office.

 

 

Executive Order Limiting Diversity Training Could Have Chilling Effect

Disparate Impact, Diversity, segregation

Please see CVOEO’s statement below on the recent presidential Executive Order limiting federal government, contractors, and grant recipients from conducting diversity training containing “divisive concepts” which “promote race or sex stereotyping or scapegoating.” This could include discussions on systemic discrimination, institutional patterns of segregation, disparate impact, white privilege, internalized racism, and other topics related to implicit bias or the history of systemic racism. These concepts are an integral part of our fair housing education and outreach efforts.

Read the full Executive Order here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-combating-race-sex-stereotyping/

If this order concerns you, please reach out to Vermont’s Congressional Delegation with comments:

CVOEO Response to New Executive Order Limiting Diversity Training

President Trump’s Executive Order on Diversity Training and Promotion of “Divisive Concepts” on September 22, 2020 raises deep concerns for the staff of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO). Whether it applies to grantees of federal agencies or not, it is a fundamentally unsound order which does not address the need for continuous improvement toward racial and social justice. Although the terms of this order assume protection to grantees of federal programs such as CVOEO from compliance with the order, there remains a risk that such compliance will be required as federal agencies are asked to revisit their grant programs and to consider compliance with the requirements of the executive order. This could impact any grantees’ ability to continue to address the issue of systematic and structural racism observed in our workplaces.

CVOEO is one of five Community Action Agencies in Vermont. Since forming in 1965, the staff and board of CVOEO carries out the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, by addressing the fundamental issues of economic, social, and racial justice, intended to help people achieve economic independence.

We are an anti-racist organization among the signatories of the City of Burlington’s recent petition which classifies racism as a public health emergency. Our recently hired Director of Racial Equity’s mission includes identifying areas of disparity within the organization, and implementing anti-racist actions such as enhancing learning opportunities with diversity and inclusion training, adopting best practices that comply with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights of 1964, and creating a support system that will help our diverse workforce and the individuals we serve to thrive.

We believe that this executive order does not promote inclusion and could instead deepen the preexisting gap observed in our country’s social and economic systems. We are also concerned that these measures will prevent people from being informed of their rights. Additionally, this executive order could serve as a rationale deterring them from taking the necessary steps to achieve racial equity.

In Vermont, practices in compliance with the requirements of the executive order will go against the recommendations made by the Racial Equity Task Force to the governor earlier this month. These recommendations emphasize “mandated training for organizations and agencies receiving federal/state funding on cultural and linguistic appropriate services, federal laws on access, anti-racist practices.”

We hope you will join us in speaking out against this executive order and share our concerns with others.

In deep appreciation for the work you do to end social and racial injustice.