We are actively seeking hospital volunteers and drivers for transportation and Meals on Wheels.
Our mission is simple: connecting and supporting neighbors helping neighbors!
Volunteers in Action (ViA) provides services that allow many individuals to stay in their homes and maintain independence as they age. ViA empowers people to help each other, while maintaining dignity and bolstering a sense of community and belonging.
We seek to increase the health, wellness, and independence of our neighbors, particularly as it relates to food insecurity, medical transportation, and quality of life services, in the seven towns surrounding Mt. Ascutney Hospital.
What we do
- Transportation, such as to medical appointments, shopping, hairdressing, and the pharmacy
- Friendly visits
- Telephone check-in
- Minor home repair
- Shopping assistance
- Meals on Wheels
- Reading aloud
- Knitting
- Walking companion
- Snow shoveling (limited)
- Yard work (limited)
- Referral to community resources
Where we do it
Interested in volunteering for ViA?
We welcome and encourage you to call our office at 802-674-5971 or email us at via@mahhc.org for more information about volunteer opportunities.
Our Team
Amanda Jordan Smith
Community Programs Manager
Amanda grew up in Brownsville, Vermont, graduated from Windsor High School in 2008, and later completed her BA in Environmental Studies from Wellesley College. Amanda is an experienced project manager and community organizer committed to: justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and sustainability.
Amanda often draws on her international experience from living, traveling, and volunteering in 23 different countries. Whether through her experience as a teacher, activist, or elected official, Amanda's leadership helps to galvanize others into action. She is very excited to expand recruiting and support existing groups of volunteers, while also partnering with local organizations to address the needs of the Upper Valley in creative and innovative ways. Amanda prides herself on her ability to communicate effectively with people from all walks of life, and she looks forward to speaking with any neighbors who could benefit from services or would like to provide them!
Evelyn Adams-Kersey
Program Assistant
Originally from Massachusetts, Evelyn has been in Vermont since her undergraduate graduation in 1979—which she describes as seemingly a few lifetimes ago when married to spouse #1. She went on to have two daughters and moved around a lot within the State, settling in the Connecticut River Valley in 1985. During that span of time, Evelyn's “constants” included parenting, singing in area choruses, meditation, and massage therapy. She has been in Windsor (with spouse #3 & 3 cats) since March of 2019.
Evelyn previously worked at the Miller Therapeutic Pool at Mt. Ascutney Hospital & Health Center for over a year. At the pool, she encouraged members to enjoy being together and also reconnecting with their individual “water-baby-selves.” When the position for Program Assistant opened up, friends encouraged her to apply. The more she learned about this amazing organization, the more she felt it would be a good fit. Evelyn explains that she is most looking forward to making deeper connections within the greater community. She thrives in supportive roles and enjoys cultivating positive change and calm acceptance wherever she goes.
VIA History
In 1996, representatives from several community agencies and the Town of Windsor began meeting to discuss the need for a neighbor-helping-neighbor volunteer program. This steering committee applied for a Robert Wood Johnson grant. ViA was awarded a grant for January 1, 1997, to June 30, 1998.
In November 2001, ViA affiliated with Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC). ViA initiated this partnership because the missions of both organizations were a "good fit," and ViA had a history of service to the hospital. Both ViA and MAHHC emphasize personal and local service and have a strong base in Windsor and the surrounding towns.
ViA works on an independent basis. The ViA office is located in the community, in the Windsor Connection Resource Center near the Windsor Amtrak Station and Welcome Center. The ViA office is right down the road from the Stoughton House, where Meals on Wheels meals are bagged and delivered by ViA volunteers.
Contact & Location
Our office is located in the Windsor Resource Center:
P.O. Box 707
1 Railroad Ave.
Windsor, VT 05089
Phone: 802-674-5971
Email: via@mahhc.org
