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A Vermont Harm Reduction & HIV/AIDS Service Organization. “Doin’ it Safer” for more than 35 years. Supporting people living with HIV and people who use drugs.
We are here for you. Help is free and anonymous.
We will meet you with Compassion, Acceptance and Respect. We will Encourage you and Support your goals and needs.
Get HelpOur Mission
Vermont CARES provides life-saving harm reduction services, education, and resources to Vermonters affected by HIV, Hepatitis C and substance use by increasing access to care, reducing social stigmas, and building relationships.
Our Vision
Celebrate every small change.
Accept people where they are at.
Respect individual choice and welcome diversity.
Envision compassionate communities.
Stand up for the rights of those we serve.
Programs & Services
Explore the wide range of impactful programs and services offered by Vermont CARES, dedicated to improving lives and fostering community well-being.
We help you get and stay connected to the medical, mental health, housing, and vocational services you need.
The quickest, easiest way to request services and supplies throughout Vermont. Privately chat with us anonymously.
Our Impact
As the state’s leading agency in Harm Reduction and HIV services, we are grateful for your ongoing support. Our impact is felt throughout the state and it is very likely that you know someone who has accessed and/or currently needs our services.
HIV and Care Services
More than 160 Vermonters living with HIV accessed case management to help them stabilize their medical care, mental health, and housing.
HIV Prevention Safer Sex Services
Over 6000 condoms were distributed and over 500 PrEP and HIV basic education pamphlets were shared with community members
Mobile Harm Reduction Services
More than 250 people living in 29 different towns were served, mostly in rural areas of Vermont with our mobile services across more than 500 visits.
Education & Trainings
Find Training Topics
- Harm Reduction & Syringe Service Programs
- Opioid Overdose Response & Administering Narcan
- HIV Basics
- Need something a bit more tailored to your work/environment/group? Contact us.
Request a Training
Are you seeking training for your group, agency, or organization? Please fill out our form completely and we will respond within a week.
Help us do more
Thousands of Vermonters are counting on us to be there for them everyday. Whether it is a gift of financial support, the gift of time or your expertise it can make a difference in someones life.
Vermont CARES
Mike Oxready presents "ResistDANCE and RevoluSHINE: Celebrating 30 Years of the Winter is a Drag Ball" on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Higher Ground in South Burlington! ✨ Get your tickets at: highergroundmusic.com/events/winter-is-a-drag-ball/
Do current events have you clutching your pearls? Join us for ResistDANCE and RevoluSHINE, honoring three decades of fierce drag, amazing performances, and a community united in love, resistance, joy, and unrelenting sparkle. 30th anniversaries are traditionally celebrated with pearls and diamonds, but we welcome all sparkle, glitter, and glam! Dress to impress and channel your inner royalty.
There will be live entertainment in both rooms, plenty of time for dancing, and a costume contest.
This event benefits Vermont CARES and we could not be more honored by the community support we have received over the years. We can't wait to see you!
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Born January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. was a champion of the civil rights movement in the mid-20th century and fought against racial injustice. In 1994, decades after his assassination, Congress passed the "King Holiday and Service Act of 1994" which supported service opportunities in conjunction with the Federal legal holiday honoring the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.
The Act suggested that service opportunities consist of activities "reflecting the life and teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr., such as cooperation and understanding among racial and ethnic groups, nonviolent conflict resolution, equal economic and educational opportunities, and social justice."
We invite you to reflect on his life and legacy today and beyond. Our offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 21st.
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Interested in volunteering with Vermont CARES? We host a monthly Volunteer Night on the second Tuesday of the month from 5:30 - 8:00 pm at our Burlington office.
Our next event will be on Tuesday, January 14th at our Burlington office; we will be assembling Safer Use Kits. Please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer01@vtcares.org if you have not volunteered with us before. (note: we received feedback that some emails to this address were bouncing back and believe we have fixed the issue!)
Can’t make it this month? Don’t worry, we’ll have these events every month! These volunteer evenings are a great way to get to know your local harm reduction organization better and learn about the work we do! Your support will go a long way to ensuring our neighbors have the tools they need to stay safe and healthy. We ask all volunteers to be respectful of our participants and mission. No prior experience is required to attend. Thank you for your support!
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I'll be in the area this summer. I would love to volunteer!
Our compassionate and knowledgeable staff at Vermont CARES are critical to the success of our services and the wellbeing of our clients. Today, we’re highlighting a member of our staff so you can get to know them and our organization a little better!
Phoenix (they/them/ask) has been working off and on throughout their personal and professional life in client care and helping those around them in need. Being able to help others is something that has been near and dear to their heart for the majority of their life. Phoenix stepped out of that role for a number of years to work in the legal field, and is so happy to be back helping members of our society in need.
Phoenix lives with their three cats (Miss Bits, Skonk, and Button) and a cockatiel (Gonzo). In their spare time, Phoenix loves to work on crafts, hang with friends and family, listen to music, kayak, travel, and teach classes on enthusiastic consent, among other topics. Phoenix is always on the go, much to the chagrin of their animal babies, but they wouldn’t change a thing!
Reader note: Skonk's name is not misspelled!
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Did you know? According to the National Diaper Bank Network, 1 in 2 U.S families cannot afford enough diapers to keep their infant or child clean, dry, and healthy. Factors such as inflation, the pandemic, and supply chain issues have made diapers more expensive relative to wages. Having diapers available for our participants with young children is incredibly important.
Each Wednesday we're highlighting a Wishlist item and sharing a little bit about how these supplies support the communities we work with. These items are available to purchase on our Amazon Wishlist for convenient delivery directly to our offices. If you prefer to donate these items after purchasing from another retailer, please reach out at melissa@vtcares.org to coordinate drop off.
Donating an item from our wishlist is a great way to have a direct and positive impact on the wellbeing of our participants and some of the most-vulnerable members of our communities. Thank you for your support!
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We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Scherdiva Salon and their clients! #harmreductionisloveHey Scherdiva Fans!
I am excited to officially announce our 2024 fundraiser for Vermont Vermont CARES. Our Fundraiser will run from 12/1/24 World AIDS Day to 12/23/24. If you would like to know more about Vermont Cares and what they provide to our State and community please visit www.vtcares.org
Last year we were very successful in raising $1000 selling our resin snowflake ornaments, resin coasters and resin votive candle holders. This year we have crafted up Laser engraved slate coasters and laser engraved wooden coasters with the hope of surpassing our previous years goal. We currently have 8 preorders so we are off to a good start!!!
All of these crafted items would make great gifts for the holidays while supporting an amazing organization and a local Vermont based business.
Laser Engraved Slate Coasters $25 for a set of 4
Custom Laser Engraved Slate Coasters $35 for a set of 4
Laser Engraved Wooden Coasters $20 for a set of 4
Custom Laser Engraved Wooden Coasters $25 for a set of 4
Proceeds from the sales will be donated minus a $5.00 fee for the cost of materials.
The custom option for the coasters can consist of:
Your company logo
Monogram
A photo you provide. **The photo needs to be in digital format. Not all photos can be manipulated to work as a laser burn file.
Although we do have the option to process these transactions via credit card we would prefer a cash donations to keep things simple and separate.
I have attached some sample coasters below. These are just come examples of what have already been ordered but the possibilities are endless. We will also have a selection of premade coasters on hand to purchase as well. I can also do large orders as well. If you have further questions please feel free to reach out via email to scherdiva@gmail.com or you can call or text 802-876-7849
Please like and share this post! Thank you and Happy Holidays!
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Each Wednesday we're highlighting a Wishlist item and sharing a little bit about how these supplies support the communities we work with. These items are available to purchase on our Amazon Wishlist for convenient delivery directly to our offices. If you prefer to donate these items after purchasing from another retailer, please reach out at melissa@vtcares.org to coordinate drop off.
Portable and non-perishable, snacks like these are always helpful to have on hand. Having snacks on hand is great when folks meet us for services and we're happy to hand them out!
Donating an item from our wishlist is a great way to have a direct and positive impact on the wellbeing of our participants and some of the most-vulnerable members of our communities. Thank you for your support!
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Interested in volunteering with Vermont CARES? We host a monthly Volunteer Night on the second Tuesday of the month from 5:30 - 8:00 pm at our Burlington office.
Our next event will be on Tuesday, December 10th at our Burlington office; we will be assembling Safer Use Kits. Please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer01@vtcares.org if you have not volunteered with us before. (note: we received feedback that some emails to this address were bouncing back and believe we have fixed the issue!)
Can’t make it this month? Don’t worry, we’ll have these events every month! These volunteer evenings are a great way to get to know your local harm reduction organization better and learn about the work we do! Your support will go a long way to ensuring our neighbors have the tools they need to stay safe and healthy. We ask all volunteers to be respectful of our participants and mission. No prior experience is required to attend. Thank you for your support!
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We are seeking individuals who can comfortably and openly discuss drug use, share drug checking results, and talk through practical safer use strategies. Success in this role requires comfort with technology, strong computer skills, and a willingness to learn new systems. The ideal candidate will provide compassionate, nonjudgmental, and culturally competent harm reduction services, primarily focusing on community-based drug checking. We strongly encourage individuals with lived or living experience of drug use to apply. This perspective is vital to our work. We are looking for folks who are passionate about expanding access to lifesaving services and supplies to help prevent fatal overdoses in our communities.
Send a letter of interest and resume to Rachel Bolton by email at jobs@vtcares.org. Positions open until filled.
Full job description: www.indeed.com/cmp/Vermont-Cares-3/jobs
We believe that diversity in experiences, perspectives, knowledge and ideas fuels creativity, broadens knowledge, and helps drive success. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and strive to treat all employees with respect, dignity and sensitivity. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of criminal justice history, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression or identity, age, disability, veteran status, marital status or any other legally protected class. We encourage those with lived experience with drug use to apply.
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Each Wednesday we're highlighting a Wishlist item and sharing a little bit about how these supplies support the communities we work with. These items are available to purchase on our Amazon Wishlist for convenient delivery directly to our offices. If you prefer to donate these items after purchasing from another retailer, please reach out at melissa@vtcares.org to coordinate drop off.
Providing hygiene items like soap bars helps prevent illness, improve self-esteem, and promote dignity. Access to these basic hygiene products supports both physical and mental well-being.
Donating an item from our wishlist is a great way to have a direct and positive impact on the wellbeing of our participants and some of the most-vulnerable members of our communities. Thank you for your support!
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