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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
For the third year in a row, Team Sharing Vermont is hosting a day of remembrance for loved ones lost to substance use. Join Vermont CARES and other dedicated harm reductionists for an in-person gathering in Burlington’s City Hall Park on August 29 from 5-7pm.
We will be standing in solidarity to:
- Honor loved ones lost to substance use, including family members of Team Sharing Vermont
- Celebrate the courageous legislators — 104 Representatives and 20 Senators — who overturned the veto of H.72, making it possible to establish an Overdose Prevention Center in Vermont
- Rally in support around the City of Burlington and its Mayor’s Office as we commit to establishing an Overdose Prevention Center as quickly as possible
This event will have speakers and tables from different providers and activists. Special guests include Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Representative Taylor Small, and ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s.
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Today is National HIV Testing Day!
Vermont CARES is proud to offer services for those looking to test for HIV. We currently offer HIV self-tests and are excited to soon offer in-person, rapid HIV testing at all of our offices. Get in touch with us by visiting or calling one of our four offices in Burlington, Rutland, Barre, and Saint Johnsbury.
Learn more about HIV testing services across Vermont at ow.ly/rZfY50SraBa
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Dear Vermont CARES Community,
We wanted to share with you an important leadership transition within our organization. Over the last decade Theresa Vezina has had a significant impact on the lives of so many people while serving at Vermont CARES. Theresa has continued to support the Syringe Service Program team in all her roles at the organization as she grew to be one of the state’s most trusted Harm Reduction leaders sharing this life-saving work. She has been a fierce advocate for securing resources to expand lifesaving services for people who use drugs. After 13 years of dedicated service, Theresa has decided to move on from her role as Executive Director.
While we will miss Theresa, we are filled with excitement and optimism for the future of Vermont CARES. The board has initiated our succession planning process, and we have a talented and dedicated team in place, a strong base to build from, and a clear vision for the future. Please join us in expressing our sincere gratitude to Theresa for her extraordinary leadership and service and in wishing her all the best wherever her future endeavors take her and embracing the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for our organization.
Sincerely,
Vermont CARES Board of Directors
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To read Theresa's goodbye letter to the community, please visit: ow.ly/8Leq50SqjNl
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Theresa, you are an absolute harm reduction rock star! Thank you for all you’ve done for our communities 💜
Thank you, Theresa for your dedicated service to Vermont Cares. Especially your expertice and leadership in the state heading up the SSP program. We will miss you, but know wherever you go, you will take your skills and love to your next employment. All the best luck to you. ♥️
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥All star team of harm reductionists serving Vermonters. Thank you NASTAD, Vermont CARES, and AIDS Project VT for your time!
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Interested in volunteering with Vermont CARES? Our Burlington office hosts a monthly Volunteer Event open to current and new volunteers and YOU’RE INVITED!
Our next event will be on June 18th from 5:30 to 8:00pm at our Burlington office. We will be assembling Safer Use Kits of all kinds. If you have not volunteered with us before, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator at VOLUNTEER01@VTCARES.ORG prior to the night of the event.
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. No prior experience is required to attend; we ask all volunteers to be respectful of our clients and mission. Volunteers under the age of 18 years of age can attend with an adult.
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Amazing to hear Vermont CARES & AIDS project of VT talk about their work, and how EMS can better partner with SSP's and other harm reduction organizations at the VT Healthcare Coalition, EMS & Preparedness Conference.
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Vermont is at a watershed moment when we can choose to support Overdose Prevention Centers (OPCs) in our state. As an organization, we know that OPCs offer life-saving services in many parts of the world and believe Vermont should join those who have incorporated OPCs into their harm reduction tool belt.
To learn more, and to add your name in support of opening an OPC in Vermont, visit decrimvermont.org/opc-action-alert-override
Visit (and follow!) Decriminalize Vermont to continue learning more about this critical topic.
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Our compassionate and knowledgeable staff at Vermont CARES are critical to the success of our services and the wellbeing of our clients. Each month, we’re highlighting a member of our staff so you can get to know them and our organization a little better!
Meet Tarrah, one of our Springe Service Program Providers and newest staff members!
Tarrah's passion for harm reduction started long before she joined our team in early 2024. She observed the people around her getting sick, contracting Hepatitis C especially, and HIV. Her commitment to finding a tangible way to help grew. After some research into potential causes, and learning more about what could be done, Tarrah began her own harm reduction outreach in her community, offering safer options for her neighbors and friends. Her value of service is strong, and she loves working for an organization that centers the voices of PWUD.
In her time outside of work, Tarrah loves to explore Vermont through hiking and also tries out different hobbies. She is a lifelong learner and appreciates all that she gets to learn from everyone she meets daily.
Thank you, Tarrah, for sharing your story and talents with us!
📸: Left Handed Lens Photography
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During Pride Month, we believe it is important to acknowledge the activists and leaders who came before us in the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. We hope this month is a time of reflection and action for you.
As seen in our Burlington office, this SILENCE=DEATH poster is a reminder of responses to the HIV/AIDS crisis during the late 20th century. Vermont CARES emerged in response to the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States, recognizing the urgent need for resources, education, and support in Vermont. Our organization began providing services to the HIV-positive community of Vermont in 1985. At this point in the epidemic, people with HIV were dying at alarming rates and there was much uncertainty about the future.
Over the years, we've continued our mission to support, educate, and advocate for improved health outcomes for the LGBTQ+ community, Vermonters living with HIV, and other marginalized communities.
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Thank you to all of you and the advocates that came before. ❤️
Terje Anderson Thank you for all your hard work.
Thank you for everything you do!!! 💜
Fauci should have been hung in the center of DC for what he did to the LGBT community in the 1980's. And because of his hatred he released HIV and in 2020 the Covid-19 with a 2005 patten right.. Rothschilds. Agenda 2030....depopulation...that started in 1977...read the book. And the bastard is getting away with it...you to Collins.
Have you all ever considered helping those with Long COVID too? You are good at dealing with RNA viruses. I think your expertise could help here. I'm sure it'll help make PREP popular now that anti Retro virals also help COVID. You fully understand living with a virus. Something I think our Long COVID patients may share a need for. Of course you'd need funding and staff.