[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 7, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E546-E547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTIONS OF LONDONDERRY, VERMONT ON THE 
                    OCCASION OF ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PETER WELCH

                               of vermont

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 7, 2019

  Mr. WELCH. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
pay tribute to Neighborhood Connections of Londonderry, Vermont which 
will be celebrating its 10th anniversary on May 17th. I especially want 
to recognize the vision of its two founding partners, Dr. Dolores 
Barbeau and Gloria Dawson, who identified a need in their community and 
had the energy and skills to deliver results that have improved the 
lives of their neighbors.
  Today Neighborhood Connections serves nine towns in rural, south-
central Vermont. This is an area of my state where many residents are 
vulnerable to poverty, food and employment insecurity, lack of 
transportation, mental and physical health issues, disability, 
isolation and simply not knowing where to turn for basic support.
  Neighborhood Connections is a vital organization committed to 
welcoming all people through its doors, regardless of challenge or 
financial status, to help them navigate a range of personal 
difficulties by connecting them with all forms of available assistance. 
Its focus is on the most vulnerable and those who face barriers to 
care.
  It offers a myriad of services from connecting people to 
transportation, housing, heating and employment assistance to helping 
people access disability and income benefits,

[[Page E547]]

Medicare, Medicaid and tax preparation assistance. The small 
professional staff offers counseling, crisis management assistance and 
home visits primarily to elderly and disabled residents. They ``walk 
with'' those they serve, offering support for ``as long as it takes.'' 
In a given year, Neighborhood Connections delivers over 1,200 services 
to individuals and families, 90 percent of whom fall below the federal 
poverty level and 80 percent of whom have significant mental or 
physical health issues.
  Neighborhood Connections is committed to the ``total well-being'' of 
communities to improve health and quality of life for all. In short, it 
exists to foster hope, particularly for vulnerable individuals and 
families, by delivering care and connecting everyone who walks through 
its doors to comprehensive wellbeing support.
  The motto of Neighborhood Connections is simple: ``Neighbors Helping 
Neighbors.'' For ten years they have been fulfilling their vital 
mission and I know they will continue their work for many years to 
come.
  Madam Speaker, I urge the House to join me today in paying tribute to 
Neighborhood Connections, Dolores Barbeau, and Gloria Dawson for the 
countless ways they have improved the quality of life for people in 
south-central Vermont. Congratulations on this remarkable milestone and 
best wishes for many more years of success.

                          ____________________