Press Release from October 15, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont:
Services Ending at the End of October
Next Friday, October 26th, Starting Over Strong Vermont will complete its counseling outreach role across Vermont. If you or anyone you know is still struggling with unmet needs due to Tropical Storm Irene please visit our website at www.startingoverstrongvermont.org to find an extensive resources list with statewide and local services assisting flood survivors in their continued recovery process.
Press Release from September 21, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont:
We have been proud to serve Vermont Communities
Over the past year Vermonters have shown a tremendous amount of strength and resilience in recovering from the devastation of Tropical Storm Irene. Although there are still many people who are in the midst of recovery, many have moved through the recovery process with dignity and grace. Acknowledging the emotional toll that a disaster can have on individuals, families, businesses and communities is incredibly important in the recovery process and Starting Over Strong Vermont has been proud to support Vermonters with their emotional responses to the flood. At the end of October, Starting Over Strong Vermont will be completing its counseling role across Vermont. If you currently are in need of support, counselors are still available to talk and meet with you.
Anniversary Press kit from August 1, 2012:
Click here to see SOS VT press kit.
Anniversary Audio Public Service Annoucement from August 1, 2012:
Anniversary Video Public Service Annoucement from August 1, 2012:
Press Release from July 13, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont:Waterbury Mindfulness Series
Join Starting Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT) for a three week mindfulness series beginning, July 19th, from 6:00-7:30pm at St. Leo’s Hall, Main Street, Waterbury, VT. This mindfulness series is an opportunity to come together with others affected by Tropical Storm Irene to learn and practice mindfulness techniques for stress reduction and relaxation.
Press Release from July 7, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: Wilmington Story Circle
Join Starting Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT) for a Story Circle Sunday, July 22nd, from 3:00-5:00pm at the Memorial Hall, Main Street, Wilmington, VT. Come connect with your neighbors to share your story and experience of Tropical Storm Irene. Anyone that has been impacted by Tropical Storm Irene can be a part of this special event where people come together and support each other.
Press Release from July 2, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: Thank You to First and Second Responders of Tropical Storm Irene
Were you affected by Tropical Storm Irene? Were you evacuated or assisted by first or second responders during the time of the disaster? If so, come take the time to say thank you. Join Starting Over Strong Vermont and the National Guard Unit of Bennington on July 14th from 1:00-3:00pm at the Bennington Armory for an afternoon of remembrance and gratitude to the people who helped the community during and following Tropical Storm Irene.
June Newsletter:
Press Release from June 15, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont
Supporting Recovery, Promoting Resiliency
Were you affected by Tropical Storm Irene? Many people who lived through Irene find they have experienced recurring nightmares, trouble concentrating, feeling disconnected, being overprotective of family’s safety, and avoiding reminders of the storm or flood. If you find you have similar issues, then there is support for you. Starting Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT) is available to meet with you where you are to support your recovery from the storm. Counselors are available with flexible schedules to help you develop the skills and community connections to move forward more positively. All Starting Over Strong Vermont services are free. Any individual, family, business or group is eligible for assistance.
Press Release from June 15, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: An Evening of Yoga for Survivors of Tropical Storm Irene
Join Starting Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT) for a relaxing evening of Yoga on Wednesday, June 27th from 6:30-8pm, at Memorial Hall, Dover Road, South Newfane, VT.
Is the stress of cleaning up from the flood getting you down? Do you need a little time to yourself? If so, come participate in this Kripalu Yoga class, FREE of charge. You do not need any yoga experience, nor do you need to be flexible. In this class you will be with others who were impacted by the flooding. Come learn some simple techniques that can help relieve stress while promoting good health, happiness, and overall well being.
Press Release from June 6, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: Rutland Story Circle
Join Starting Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT) for a Story Circle Wednesday, June 13th, from 4:00-6:00pm at the Rutland Free Library, 10 Court Street, Rutland, VT. This Story Circle is an opportunity to share your story and experience of Tropical Storm Irene. Come connect with your neighbors and bear witness to the healing and resiliency of your community.
Press Release from June 4, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: Newfane Story Circle
Join Starting Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT) for a Story Circle Wednesday, June 13th, from 6:30-8:30pm at the Moore Free Library, 23 West Street, Newfane, VT. This Story Circle is an opportunity to share your story and experience of Tropical Storm Irene. Come connect with your neighbors and bear witness to the healing and resiliency of your community.
Press Release from June 1, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: Grafton Story Circle
Join Starting Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT) for a Story Circle Tuesday, June 5th, from 11:00am-1:00pm at the Grafton Public Library, 204 Main St., Grafton, VT. This Story Circle is an opportunity to share your story and experience of Tropical Storm Irene. Come connect with your neighbors and bear witness to the healing and resiliency of your community.
Press Release from June 1, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: Gratitude Celebration
Join Starting Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT) and the Empathy Café team for a morning “gratitude” on Saturday, June 9th from 10am-12:00pm, at North Star Bowling on Route 100, Wilmington, VT.
Press Release from May 24, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: An Evening of Yoga for Survivors of Tropical Storm Irene
Join Starting Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT) for a relaxing evening of Yoga on Wednesday, May 30th from 6:30-8pm, at Memorial Hall Main St., Wilmington, VT. Is the stress of cleaning up from the flood getting you down? Do you need a little time to yourself? If so, come participate in this Kripalu Yoga class, FREE of charge. You do not need any yoga experience, nor do you need to be flexible. In this class you will be with others who were impacted by the flooding. Come learn some simple techniques that can help relieve stress while promoting good health, happiness, and overall well being.
Press Release from May 15, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: Plant Give Away for Flood Survivors
The season of spring brings about a time of renewal and growth. Families get ready to plant their vegetable gardens, it is time to reseed one’s lawn, and new flower garden beds are created. As the apple blossoms bloom and irises begin to show their beautiful radiance, we are reminded of the possibilities that come with the arrival of summer. It is in this spirit that Starting Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT) has organized a plant give away for flood survivors. If you have been impacted by the flooding from Tropical Storm Irene, come May 26th from 9am-12pm to St. Leo’s Hall, 109 South Main Street, Waterbury to pick up free shrubs, flowers, and fruits from the selection that will be available to you. There will be also be free houseplants given away. Gardening can be a great way to reduce stress, and landscaping around a rebuilt home is a great way to reclaim your house to aid in recovery. There will be a limit on how many plants SOS VT has to give away so come get some plants while supplies last and take this next step toward rebuilding and renewing your home.
Press Release from May 15, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: Weekly Stress Busters Bowling Series
Join Starting Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT), for a weekly series that will empower and renew you from the stress of Tropical Storm Irene. Come take your lunch break at the North Star Bowl in Wilmington for this four week series beginning on Tuesday May 22nd from 1-2:30pm. Each week attendees will participate in shared activities in the “Charlie Brown” room, and then go bowling or play mini-golf together.
Press Release from May 15, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: Financial Planning Workshop
Join Starting Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT) and Central Vermont Community Action Council for an informative and educational evening of financial planning, Tuesday, May 22nd from 6:00-7:00pm, at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 130 Main Street, Montpelier. This workshop is FREE for anyone impacted by Tropical Storm Irene in support of continuing flood recovery.
Press from May 21, 2012: SOS VT Crisis Counselor, Jennette was interviewed about upcoming SOS VT events on WCAX:
Click here to watch the interview.
Press from May 16, 2012: SOS VT Crisis Counselors, Jennette and Christina, on NECN TV:
Click here to watch the interview.
Press Release from May 15, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont:
South Newfane and Marlboro Story Circle
Join Starting Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT) for a Story Circle Tuesday, May 22nd, from 6:30-8:00pm at the South Newfane Community School House, Dover Road, South Newfane. This Story Circle is an opportunity to share your story and experience of Tropical Storm Irene. Come connect with your neighbors and bear witness to the healing and resiliency of your community.
Press Release from May 10, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: Empower & Renewal Series
Join Staring Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT), Windham & Windsor Housing Trust, the Wellness Center, and the Empathy Café Team for a weekly series that will empower and renew you from the stress of Tropical Storm Irene. Come learn mindfulness exercises and participate in community activities. Learn techniques that can help relieve stress while promoting good health, happiness, and overall well-being.
Press from May 3, 2012: SOS VT Team Lead, Elaine DeMasi and Crisis Counselor, Gioia, on PEGTV:
Click here to watch the interview. Once you click the link select Access, then select May 3, 2012. SOS VT interview starts at about 9 minutes.
Press Release from May 1, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: An Evening of Yoga and Mindfulness for Survivors and Recovery Workers of Tropical Storm Irene
Join Staring Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT), students from the University of Vermont (UVM) course “Rebuilding Vermont” and Yoga Mountain Center for a relaxing evening of Yoga and Mindfulness this Friday, May 4th from 6:00-7:30pm, 7 Main St. #2, Montpelier, VT. Come learn mindfulness techniques and participate in a Gentle Yoga class, FREE of charge. Learn techniques that can help relieve stress while promoting good health, happiness, and overall well being.
Press from April 26, 2012: SOS VT Crisis Counselor, Jennette, on Fox news:
Click here to watch the interview.
Press Release from April 26, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: Stress Reduction Workshop
Press Release from April 26, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: Remembering Irene Support Group
Press Release from April 23, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: Sequence Art Workshop
Press Release from April 17, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: Rutland Story Sharing Circl
Press Release from April 15, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: Stress Reduction Series
April Newsletter:
Press from April 3, 2012: SOS VT Project Director on WCAX news:
Click here to watch the interview.
Press Release from March 29, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont: Sharing Our Flood Stories
It has been seven months since Hurricane Irene ripped through VT leaving a path of destruction. It has been seven months for survivors to get back on their feet and move on with their lives. Starting Over Strong (SOS) Vermont has been working with survivors across the state to assist in healing, teaching stress coping techniques and connecting survivors with services that help them get back on their feet, for all of these seven months.
Press Release from March 17, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont:
We Are Here To Help
Tropical Storm Irene left unprecedented destruction in its path throughout Vermont this past August. 500 miles of road and 200 bridges were damaged, 13 communities were isolated due to impassable roads, up to 250 million dollars were spent to repair roads, over 7,200 individuals and families applied to FEMA aid, and 1,400 homes were temporarily or permanently displaced. But the real effect of this disaster is not about numbers. It’s about people. Starting Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT) is here to help.
Please click here to read more.
Press Release from February 27, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont:
Building Resilience Through Community Events
Starting Over Strong Vermont (SOS VT) deploys teams of crisis support workers throughout communities most impacted by Tropical Storm Irene to conduct community and home-based outreach and psycho-educational services. SOS VT offers free, short-term interventions that promote individual and family recovery to those individuals experiencing distress and/or related emotional and behavioral difficulties from the flood. It is designed to assist individuals of all ages to better understand why they feel the way they do and how to begin to feel safe and confident again going forward. SOS VT is also designed to identify and refer individuals who may be in need of more intensive supports.
Press Release from February 14, 2012
Starting Over Strong Vermont:
An Evening of Story Telling and Community Dinner
Starting Over Strong (S.O.S.) Vermont, a program which serves the communities most impacted by Tropical Storm Irene
through promoting resiliency and supporting recovery, is hosting a community dinner and evening of story-telling in
partnership with The Vermont Folk Life Center.
Click here for more information.
Press Release from February 6, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont:
Resources for Recovery for Survivors of Tropical Storm Irene
Starting Over Strong (S.O.S.) Vermont teams now serving the communities most impacted by Tropical Storm Irene continue to collaborate with state and town officials, as well as with other flood-recovery service providers, to bring assistance to Vermonters affected by the 2011 flooding. Some of the same town officials, police, and firefighters who acted as first responders back in August are continuing to contribute to recovery efforts by connecting S.O.S. Vermont workers with families in need of support. Long Term Recovery Groups, case managers, and S.O.S. Vermont teams are working together to assess the continuing needs of the community as a whole.
Please click here to read more.
Press Release from January 18, 2012:
Starting Over Strong Vermont
Healing Emotional Wounds from the 2011 Vermont Flooding
Many Vermonters were impacted by Tropical Storm Irene when it pounded most of Vermont with up to 12 inches of rain this past August. The statewide flooding destroyed homes, farms, and businesses, closed roads, and left much property in ruin. For many, the storm also inflicted devastating emotional trauma beyond their material losses. This less visible, personal anguish can often be overlooked by the affected individuals and their loved ones. Left unacknowledged and untreated, this kind of emotionalinjury can influence both the health and coping ability of disaster victims, and may even lead to long term problems.
Please click here to read more.
Press Release from January 7, 2012:
Starting Over Strong (SOS) Vermont
Flood Disaster Relief Available in Your Community
Starting Over Strong (S.O.S.) Vermont provides free short-term support for individuals, groups, and communities impacted by flooding from Tropical Storm Irene.
Teams of crisis support workers are on the ground throughout the hardest hit communities in Vermont. S.O.S. Vermont Teams conduct community and home-based outreach, door-to-door counseling, and psycho-educational services at group meetings and programs, free of charge.
Please click here to read more.
