Newsletter
Fall 2006
Vermont Dismas House
Restoring former prisoners to our community for the greater good of all
Individual Highlights:
Dinner Auction
2
Spring Perennial Sale
2
Volunteer Cooks
3
In 1985 Rita McCaffrey organized a group
of dedicated prison volunteers who formed
a committee and worked to open Vermont
Dismas House on Buell Street in Burlington
in September of 1986. A dedication
ceremony followed at the First
Congregational Church in December. Jack
Hickey, the founder of the first Dismas
House of Nashville TN was dying of cancer
and could not attend so he recorded a
message that was played at the ceremony.
“In the courage of those who suffer and
in the compassion of those who stand
with them, people will see God at work
and join in.”
Rev. Jack Hickey O.P.
This quote contains many powerful words.
There have been many courageous men
and women who have passed through our
doors these past 20 years. Most of them
have struggled with substance abuse and
Vermont Dismas House Celebrates 20 Years!
Hollandaise and Camping
There is nothing quite like a family vacation
to bring people together. But first, as we all
know, things have to fall apart a little bit.
This year’s Dismas House “family” camping
trip was no exception. We traveled to the
Northeast Kingdom where we camped,
cooked, boated, water-skied, “tubed”,
suffered great loss because of their
addictions and subsequent incarceration.
Many of them have made a successful
transition back into society thanks to the
shelter and support that they received from
all of the individuals who chose to stand
with them.
(Continued on page 2)
fished and sat like blobs on the shore of a
beautiful lake. Loons graced us with their
haunting serenade.
But things were not always this “idyllic”.
The weekend began with some grumbling
(Continued on page 4)
Vermont
Dismas
Houses’
Annual Drive
Thank you to all
of our Donors
who contributed
to our Annual
Appeal Letter in
August.
We are
enclosing an
envelope for
those who still
wish to make a
contribution.
In November we
will conduct our
phone-a-thon as
the final phase
of our Annual
Drive.
Thank you in
advance for all
of your support.
96 Buell Street · Burlington, VT 05401
info@dismasofvermont.org · www.dismasofvermont.org
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