Valerie Hamline, Everybody Wins!, Christian Keidel, National Mentoring Month 2007

Everybody Wins! Vermont

Contact the Program Assistant: Ron Wild
Executive Director: Amy Cunningham

Onsite School Coordinators:
Edmunds Elementary School: Suzanne Stimik-Mason,
Shelburne Community School: Kathy Twombly
Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes: Allison Novak
Integrated Arts Academy at H.O. Wheeler: Susannah Magee
J.J. Flynn Elementary School & J.F.K. Elementary School:  Lorna Kay Peal

Everybody Wins! Vermont (EW! VT) is a statewide mentoring organization devoted to increasing children’s prospects for success in school and in life through one-to-one reading experiences. The national EW! program was founded in New York City, and in 1995, U.S. Senator James Jeffords (I-VT) launched the program in Washington D.C. EW! VT is the first statewide EW! program in a rural location. EW! VT’s main program – the Power Lunch – is a once-a-week, lunchtime read-aloud program that pairs adult volunteers with nearby elementary school students to share good books, conversation and lunch. While experiencing the pleasure of reading, children gain a new friend and the self-confidence that comes from expressing their ideas to a supportive adult. EW! VT currently has Power Lunch programs at six schools in Chittenden County, serving the towns of Burlington, Shelburne and Winooski. Flynn Elementary in Burlington also offers a Power Breakfast program.

First year of operation: 2000
Minimum age for mentor: 18
Minimum time commitment: 1 hour/week during the school year
Minimum length of commitment: one school year