Testimonials & Stories

“I really wanted to thank you for signing me up with BLP because of you, I turned down heroin about a week ago from a buddy and took my suboxone instead.”

"For the last 10 years I have lived in Vermont, and for about this time, I've been receiving support from VT CARES. I've been living with HIV for 38 years, and among challenges related to the illness, I find solace in their work. It is important that HIV+ people receive, and accept any assistance given. Many among the readers won't remember how utterly alone we felt in the 80s and early 90s, when such assistance was not available. Accept their assistance, it is there for you. Recently, I have been awarded Social Security Disability. The process for disability only originated because of a conversation with my case worker. She recommended me to apply, saying that due to my illness, and related health problems, I was bound to qualify. Even though reluctantly, I applied, and was awarded the benefit. That is an example of a life changing effect of the support provided by VT Cares. Now, a new phase begins in the saga of this HIV+ condition of mine. I enter my 60s, HIV+, aging, disabled, and against all odds, still alive!"

“This organization, what you do here, is something really special. I have had a hard life, a really hard life in times where the biggest worries people knew to have were extremely limited. But, you do something special here. You are a rare sort, who sees the world and the people in it with compassion that is so rare these days, and in a place where fear is usually the number one factor. You’ve treated me with kindness and so much compassion, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you. Thank you for being here for me.”

"You are such an amazing organization and you really save a lot of lives here. Like, the Narcan me and my friends get from here has saved so many lives. I know of at least 20 people who were saved because of you."

“I am not so overwhelmed knowing I have a safe space to come to for clean, safe needles.”

"I have been a client of VT CARES for many years, I think almost back to when they organized. The ASO has always been there when I needed a referral for legal, medical, financial or social assistance. I would recommend VT CARES to anyone who is newly diagnosed or not connected to an ASO for whatever reason."