Burlington Dismas House, Two Homes
Buell Street Dismas, Est. 1986

East Allen Dismas, Est. 2008

 

RICHARD GAGNE  &  KIMBERLY PARSONS:  DIRECTORS

Richard Gagné was on the Planning Committee and has been on staff since the first Vermont Dismas House opened in Burlington, in 1986. He is the Director of East Allen Dismas in Winooski.   His previous work experience included working in a soup kitchen in Manchester, NH and as a high school teacher.  He is a graduate of the US Air Force Academy.  Richard is an artist and creates  hand-carved furniture  for the annual  Dismas Auctions as well as for many other occasions.  Each summer, Richard heads up the Burlington Dismas House softball team, Dismas As Usual and is an avid Red Sox fan.  He has played a significant role in laying a strong foundation for Dismas of Vermont Inc, through his dedicated Dismas work since 1986.  He has three grown children and makes his home at Dismas House.  He is currently in the process of building his own home and barn in Northern Vermont.

Kimberly Parsons, a graduate of the University of Vermont, has been on staff since 1991. She is the Director of Buell Street Dismas in Burlington.    Her previous work included working for the United Nations as a photo journalist in Central America.  Kim came to Buell Street Dismas in 1991 bringing with her, excellent organizational skills and fundraising ability.  Along with Richard, Kimberly has devoted herself to the growth of Dismas House, especially with her work to establish the two Burlington Satellite apartments.  She has overseen the Fundraising and Grant Writing for many years. Kimberly is a craftsperson, spinning wool and knitting lovely garments from the wool she has spun, which she  also donates to the annual Dismas benefits.  She is an avid horse back rider.  She is the mother of two and a grandmother living with her husband Wilson and family in Waterbury Ctr.

Anne Olivo is the Assistant House Director for the Buell Street Dismas House.  While a "Vermonter" at heart, she has spent the past decade living between the Northeastern US and Peru, South America.  With a background in Sociology and Education, Anne's career includes work with colleges, childcare centers, schools, and other social service organizations. She also co-manages a volunteer organization called Peru 109, and is fluent in Spanish.  As a complement to her work at Dismas, Anne coordinates international service programs at Saint Michael's College and is a graduate student at UVM.

Sue Drollette is the Assistant House Director at East Allen Dismas.  Sue came to Dismas in September 2009 with a 25 year background as an Account Executive with Eastman Kodak Company.  Sue also co-managed a Marina in New York State with her husband and son for 12 years.  Sue brings excellent organizational and communication skills to her position at Dismas.  The mother of two grown sons and grandmother of two, Sue lives in Richmond with her husband Earl and their two Bernese Mountain Dogs.

MARY GOLEK:  OFFICE  MANAGER, Buell Street Dismas  &  East Allen Dismas

Mary Golek, came on staff as Office Manager in 2008.  She is energetic, has strong computer and financial skills, good at problem solving and has an extensive background in business start up and entrepreneurial experience.  Besides excellent technical skills, Mary has well-honed communications skills, both oral and written.  She earned her BA from Clark University in Worcester MA. Her past professional history has included coordinating Mercy Connections and the Women’s Small Business Program. Previously, Mary owned and operated Stoneledge LLC, a commercial horseback riding, boarding and training facility for several years. Mary, Josh and Merideth make their home in Richmond.

 

Rutland Dismas House

103 Park Avenue

Rutland, VT  05701

Established in 1990

                   

TERESE VEVERKA BLACK & VALERIE PAGE, CO-DIRECTORS

Terese Veverka Black joined Rutland Dismas House in 2003, after serving as a middle school and high school teacher for many years.  She hails from Minnesota and is a graduate of Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa with a background in art.  Her ability with words and her sense of humor are a great combination in keeping things light at Rutland Dismas House!  Ms Black has been involved with peace and justice activities throughout her life.  During her many years of teaching, she brought students to volunteer cook at Dismas House regularly and served on the Board of Directors for many years.  She is a musician, with a background in leading church folk choirs. She is also an enthusiastic volleyball player.  Terese is the mother of three children and one grandchild.  She and her husband Rob, a Dismas volunteer, make their home in Rutland. 

Valerie Page joined the Rutland staff in 2003 after spending 17 years as a paralegal in Boston. Previously, she worked in Personnel at Honeywell Corp in Massachusetts.  She is a graduate of Stonehill College and also studied at Northeastern University.  She came to Dismas House after participating in a training with Thresholds/Decisions, a program of Rutland Dismas House. Valerie’s  interests include: reading, gardening, and she loves cooking.  She and Terese enjoy playing  Scrabble together when at staff and board retreats in Weston. Val has three grown children and four cats.  She lives in Rutland with her husband, Steve, a Dismas volunteer and their good friend “Papa John.”  

 

Thresholds/Decisions

A Program Of Rutland Dismas House

Established 1974

                                         

JAY MERLUZZI, PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Jay Merluzzi began work with Rutland Dismas House in 2002 as Program Director for Thresholds/Decisions.  He is a graduate of Northeastern University and has a Ph.D. from Boston University Medical School.  His past work, prior to early retirement was as a scientist.  He has also taught at City University of NY and presently teaches at some area colleges in the  Rutland area. Jay has studied Structured Thinking with Robert Fritz over the past 10 years. This deals with understanding current reality and plans to achieve goals by truly understanding current reality in one's life. He enjoys the outdoors and lives in Sudbury, Vermont with his wife Jessica, and their two sons.  He is the Master of Ceremonies for the annual Rutland Dismas House Benefit, each year.

 

Dismas Of Vermont Inc
Established in 2001

 

RITA WHALEN McCAFFREY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

RITA Whalen McCaffrey has been involved with her community for the past forty years.  She has been active in establishing programs to give prisoners and former prisoners support for 34 years.  A graduate of Immaculata College of Washington and Trinity College of Vermont, she established the Thresholds/Decisions Program in Rutland in 1974, and is the founder of the  Burlington and Rutland Dismas Houses.  Her training and early career was as an elementary school teacher. Rita enjoys gardening, music and athletics. Originally from the Boston area, she is an avid  Red Sox fan.  She  has been active in peace and justice endeavors for the past 40 years.  Rita and her husband, Frank, who is a Committed Member of Dismas of Vermont, have four grown children and six grandchildren.  They make their home in Weston, Vermont.