Legislative Advocacy: With powerful and personal testimony, the group has worked with the Vermont Legislature to successfully remove the statute of limitations for pursuit of damages due to physical abuse. The group is now advocating to expand the language of S.99 to include psychological and emotional abuse; and for adults to have full and unredacted access to any records from their childhood residential placements.

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Writers Group: Six members of the Voices of St. Joseph’s Orphanage group have been participating in a weekly writers’ group with facilitator Carol Adinolfi since May of 2020. Carol and the Writers’ Group have hosted several readings, published an Anthology, and produced a theatrical reading of their work by acclaimed actors.

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Memorial and Healing Space on the Former Orphanage Grounds: The group has been working with Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront Department to collaboratively design a memorial and healing space on the former Orphanage grounds. The outdoor installation is slated to be complete by 2023.

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Engage Child-Welfare Providers: In February of 2020, the group identified their “Hopes and Aspirations for Children in State Care.” Members also partnered with Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) to share their experiences with state social workers. The Listening and Reflection Session was recorded and will be used as future DCF training resource.

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Oral Histories and Traveling Exhibition: Members of the group have worked with the Vermont Folklife Center to record their oral histories, which are available on our website HERE. Excerpts of these recordings, along with historical photographs, documents, articles, and other items, now form part of the Voices of St. Joseph’s Orphanage Traveling Exhibition. The exhibition is currently open to the public at the Montpelier Historical Museum.