Managing Director - Wanda Hines

In 2022, JUMP voucher assistance provided families and individuals food relief, utility assistance, transportation gas assistance and Thrift shop vouchers helped provide needed clothing or other essential household items. In addition, JUMP’s Quarterly Care Call (QCC) Program, reached out to homebound and elderly clients with volunteers bringing need and resources together.

Like many frontline non-profits, JUMP made necessary adjustment due to continued covid impact. One such adjustment was the physical return to the onsite office at First congregational church a couple days a week while working remotely as well.

JUMP 2022 priority goal and discussion: Organize Board of Directors Retreat to develop five-year strategic plan that aligns JUMP’s mission and captures and preserves additional intellectual capital from long time Board Members. Other goals and discussion included JUMP may possibly increase Drop-In Center in-person visits to two days along with online FLEX assistance support reaches additional individuals in need. Both remains a work in progress

Substantial, in 2022, services included access to hybrid FLEX assistance support--five ways. Clients can access needed JUMP services via; FLEX Online application 24hrs/7days a week, FLEX Mail-In application, call JUMP for FLEX application by mail, in-person FLEX walk-in Thursdays or receive a scheduled Quarterly Care Call (QCC) every three months from staff and volunteers. The Walk In Thursdays Only “in person one day a week” improved access for increasing unhoused community residents where vouchers were be available every three months for $35 vouchers for groceries, laundry and thrift store vouchers if needed.

The hybrid FLEX assistance support method ensured vouchers remained available every three months to eligible participates for either $35 vouchers for groceries, $50 for utility assistance, or $35 in gasoline cards plus laundry and thrift store vouchers if needed.

Blessed, JUMP remained a dependable reliable resource for neighbors in search of essential basic needs.  We provided voucher assistance to 2446 families and individuals from (7) Vermont Counties, representing (24) towns. Clients requested 5940 vouchers valued at $148,555.  Client requested vouchers included food cards $63,560 and utility assistance $19,600, transportation gas cards $8105 and laundry vouchers $7210 with an additional requested in-kind Thrift Store donated vouchers valued at $50,080.

JUMP is grateful to supporting 28 area faith communities, local agencies and businesses, individual donors, foundations, Towns Shelburne and Essex Junction as well as Board of Directors, Committee members, Volunteers and Staff for their unwavering commitment to JUMP’s mission.

A special aknowledgement: THE GIFT OF SPACE & FUNDS--First Congregational Church UCC of Burlington provides foundational support for JUMP. Since 1990, the church has donated the space for our JUMP Drop-In Center, Offices and parking for volunteers, staff and JUMP clients. Our close, positive relationship helps keep JUMP fulfilling our vital mission throughout the year. We are grateful for the tremendous support we receive from the First Congregational Church UCC of Burlington.