In 1983, Rita McCaffrey, for over 12 years the Coordinator of the Thresholds/Decisions prison volunteer program, and her husband, Vermont District Court Judge Francis McCaffrey visited the original Dismas House in Nashville, Tenn. Later, they visited other existing Dismas House programs in Tennessee and Ireland. Impressed by the effectiveness of these programs, and convinced of the need for a similar program in Vermont, they returned with a determination to establish a Dismas House in Burlington.

     A task Force composed of many dedicated prison volunteers, enthusiastically began meeting in March, 1985 and a Board of Directors was established in April, 1986. Supported by prisoners, students, volunteers and the Department of Corrections, Burlington Dismas House formally opened its doors at 96 Buell Street in Burlington in September, 1986.

     In response to an increased need for housing two Dismas satellite apartments were opened in 2004.  The apartments provided an additional seven beds for former prisoners who were ready to transition out of Dismas House and were ready to take the next step towards more independence.

     In 2004 it became increasingly obvious that there was still a shortage of housing for former prisoners.  The Governor's Commission on Prison Overcrowding published their findings that there were many men and women who were still in prison simply for lack of housing.  After three years of planning and collaboration with Vermont Department of Corrections, the Burlington Dismas House opened East Allen Dismas, providing an additional 11 beds.  The newest Burlington Dismas House project is located at 103 East Allen Street, Winooski, Vermont.  Today Burlington Dismas House has three projects with a total of 28 beds.

    Since opening in 1986, over 475 men and women have lived at Burlington Dismas House.  During that time the program has become a valuable part of the community.  The House is now well into its third decade of restoring former prisoners to their community for the greater good of all.

 

PERSONNEL 

         Richard Gagné:  Upon graduation from the Air Force Academy, Mr. Gagné taught high school in Biloxi, Mississippi.  He spent eight months as a Trappist monk novice at the Abbey of the Genessee and studied theology at St. Anselm College.  He has been the director of a soup kitchen and a shelter for homeless people in Manchester, NH.    Richard also worked at the Way Station, a shelter in Burlington for the homeless. He is the father of three children which adds considerably to the family atmosphere at the house.  He brings to his work at Burlington Dismas House administrative experience and ability, combined with a committed concern for the problems of disadvantaged people.   Richard has been with Burlington Dismas House for 25 years.

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Kimberly Parsons:  Ms. Parsons is a native Vermonter, a graduate of the University of Vermont with a degree in English.  She lived and worked in Latin America on and off for 6 years, covering the Contra-Sandinista struggle as a professional photographer, and later working for the United Nation High Commissioner For Refugees designing and implementing adult education programs in the refugee camps.  On returning to Vermont, and now Dismas House, she has found her experience with refugees has given her a commitment to working with disadvantaged persons.  She has an energetic and enthusiastic approach to her responsibilities, which have come to include everything from administration, public relations, fund raising, record keeping, student and volunteer recruitment.   Kimberly has been with Burlington Dismas House for 18 years.