S. Whitney Landon memorial luncheon - June 18, 2008
Each June, The Vermont Children's Trust Foundation presents The S. Whitney Landon Memorial luncheon for our hosts, The Turrell Fund at the Burlington Country Club. At the luncheon, a $25,000 unrestricted gift and two $2,500 gifts are presented from The Turrell Fund to the selected programs which exemplify extraordinary service to the children of Vermont.
The Turrell Fund is a family foundation based in New Jersey that makes grants in the state of Vermont and the four northern counties of New Jersey. In 1995, after the death of S. Whitney Landon, a long-time Turrell trustee, an award was established in his memory for one exemplary program for children 12 and under in Vermont and New Jersey.
about S. Whitney Landon
In Memoriam - S. Whitney Landon
The Turrell Fund witnessed the end of an era when, in February 1995, Whitney “Whit” Landon passed away. He would have been 99 on March 27, 1995. Whit had been President and Chairman and, regardless of title, the dominant spirit of the Fund for many, many years.
Whit had four (at least) loves in his life. First was his wife and closest friend, Isabel, and his family. After his family, and not in any order of importance, were Princeton University, his alma mater; American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T, where he was Vice President and Secretary of the Corporation at the time of his retirement; and the Turrell Fund.
Whit was dedicated to the Turrell Fund – for many people he was the Turrell Fund. He knew personally and had the highest regard for Mr. and Mrs. Turrell, who had established the Fund. He knew their objectives for the Fund, and he considered it a sacred trust to carry out those objectives. While the broad objective of the Turrells was, and still is, to help disadvantaged youth, Whit knew from personal experience the Turrells’ strong desire to work through smaller organizations where the Fund’s support would make a notable difference. Whit worked tirelessly with the Executive Director and the staff reviewing almost all grant requests and, from time to time, visiting the sites of most organizations. He spoke knowledgeably of most of the organizations the Fund supported – knew what they were doing and the key people in the organizations. Whit had only one criterion in assessing an organization – “Was it doing a good job for the children?” He was not swayed by friendships or publicity. While he was supportive of some organizations for many years, he was always wiling to adopt new solutions to old as well as new problems. And, he guarded the financial resources of the Fund jealously.
Whit might be best summed up by these words of Ralph Waldo Emerson:
“ To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
Truly, Whit succeeded.
Recipients:
1996-Champlain Valley Kids on the Block, Burlington
1997-Growing up OK, Addison NE Supervisory Union
1998-The Children's Room, Waterbury Center
1999-Windham County Reads Bookmobile
2000-Sara Holbrook Center, Burlington
2001-Unlimited Fathering Opportunities, Bennington
2002-Girls on the Run of Vermont, Statewide
2003-VerShare, Vershire
2004-Hinesburg Friends of Families
2005-VNA Family Room
2006- Winooski Family Center
2007- Stepping Stones Preschool
The lynne Von Trapp award
For Exemplary Leadership in a Prevention Program for Children
This award is given annually by the Vermont Children's Trust Foundation in honor of Lynne von Trapp, founding benefactor, board member and first Executive Director of the Foundation. The recipient of this award will be selected each year from the recent grantees of the Vermont Children's Trust Fund. The $1,000 award will be given to the children's program selected by the recipient.
The award recipient will have demonstrated the following qualities:
S/he is a driving force in establishing or moving the program or organization forward.
S/he is responsive to and accurate in meeting the requirements of the Vermont Children's Trust Fund, including proposal submission, reporting and budget management.
S/he is a good ambassador for the Vermont Children's Trust Fund, both personally and through the work done by the funded program.
S/he is a positive and optimistic colleague to all.
Recipients:
2005: Emily Nyman- North Country Schools
2006: Kathy Olwell- New North End Youth Center
2007: Amy Hornblas- AWARE
The Mikell spirit of youth award
The William E. Mikell Spirit of Youth Award celebrates a young adult, who by overcoming personal obstacles and serving his or her community, exemplifies the importance of the rehabilitative focus of the juvenile justice system as well as the power of personal achievement. This award is given by the Children and Family Council for Prevention Programs to recognize and celebrate young adults who have made great strides through involvement with the juvenile justice system, have overcome personal obstacles, and are today making significant contributions to society.
This award is named after William E. Mikell who was a founding member of the Children and Family Council for Prevention Programs and who devoted himself to improving the lives of children, youth, and their families. Bill died prematurely in November 2000, after a brave struggle with cancer.
The award also provides the Council and the public with an important opportunity to learn from a young person's direct experience about the hard work and dedication it takes to build a better life, and how juvenile justice professionals and systems can most effectively be of help. Important questions can be answered, such as: What worked? What could have been done better? Why were you able to make such a big change?
The award recipient must be:
Under the age of 24 years
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Not a member of the Children and Family Council for Prevention Programs
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A person who was involved in the juvenile justice system as a youth
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Currently involved, directly or indirectly, in improving the lives of at risk youth
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A Vermont resident
VCTF Grants
Vermont Children's Trust Fund grants are given annually, with the grant cycle starting in late January each year. Please see the timeline below.
Grants are given to Vermont organizations that provide primary prevention programs for children and their families. Primary prevention includes efforts to reduce the likelihood of juvenile delinquency, truancy, substance abuse, child abuse and other socially destructive behaviors before intervention by authorities. These programs use strength-based activities in a community-based setting to meet their outcomes. The key components of primary prevention programs are that they:
- Affirm and promote positive family functioning rather than just prevent problems
- Work to influence societal forces that affect parents and children
- Are offered to ALL members of the population
- Assure that participation in the program or activities is voluntary
Successful grant requests are for programs that work to meet one of the Agency of Human Services State Team Outcomes for Healthy Vermonters. These outcomes are:
- Infants and children thrive
- Children are ready for and succeed in school
- Children live in stable, supported families
- Youth choose healthy behaviors
Grants typically range from $1,000 to $20,000 with an average grant being about $7,000. Programs are funded for one year, with the option of reapplying for second and third year funding in decreasing amounts. Most programs funded are new programs, or new facets of existing programs.
Technical assistance trainings about completing the application are available, as well as assistance in fine-tuning program ideas to meet Children's Trust Fund interests. Questions can be emailed to
Hilda Green, Grants Manager of the Vermont Children's Trust Foundation:
Online Application Forms
Click on the appropriate link below for instructions and a printable form.
Summer-Only Programs - for Instructions click here
TIMELINE
Year-Round or School-Year Programs |
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| Late January: |  |
Request for Proposals released. 2008 RFP |
| February: | Application CTF one year application , CTF three year application Technical Assistance trainings, sites and dates: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 |
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| Mid-March: | Proposals due to the Agency of Human Services: March 19 , 2008. | |
| Late-June: | Notification sent | |
| July 1: | Funding available to successful applicants | |
Summer-Only Programs |
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| November: | Request for Proposals released. Summer Grant Application or email: hildajane1@verizon.net |
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| Early January: | Proposals due to the Agency of Human Services | |
| Late February: | Notification sent | |
| Early March: | Funding available to successful applicants | |