Champlain Community Services

06/01/2026

Last Thursday more than 50 participants from our five Peer Growth & Lifelong Learning campuses came together at the Hyde Park VFW for our annual end-of-year celebration! This marks the third year that our learners have been recognized for their community service, academic accomplishments, and leadership contributions. As our PGLL campuses shift into a more exploratory-focused summer schedule, we wanted to take the time recognize all the great work they've done throughout the year to get to this point. We love PGLL!

05/26/2026

We are proud to announce that CCS earned a Platinum Seal for Transparency for 2026 (for a sixth consecutive year!) from Candid, the world’s largest source of information on nonprofits available to donors.

This is the highest level awarded.

05/21/2026

Last week, we held our final pod treasure of the year. Students shared their favorite moments and reflected on what they learned throughout the semester.

A big thank-you to ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain for hosting us again and giving us such a great space to celebrate together.

With only a few weeks left in the year, Bridging will now be spending our remaining time together as one big group. On Monday, Green Mountain Self-Advocates stopped by to talk with us about self-advocacy and using our voices. On Wednesday, we got out in the heat with Audubon to learn about birds and do some birdwatching.

It is always bittersweet as we get closer to the end of the year, but we are grateful for the learning, growth, and fun we have shared.

05/20/2026

Fishing🐟is a great way to enjoy Vermont’s outdoors, and now there is an exciting new opportunity for Vermonters with disabilities.

New legislation makes no-cost, permanent fishing licenses available to eligible Vermont individuals with disabilities.

To learn more and get an application, visit the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department website below.
https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/licenses-and-lotteries/license-center/other-licenses/permanent-licenses-for-people-with-disabilities

05/15/2026

Thank you!

Because of your support, Champlain Community Services has made it onto the Seven Daysies final ballot for Best Nonprofit Organization!

We are so grateful to everyone who nominated CCS, shared our posts, and helped spread the word. Your support got us to the final round.

Voting opens June 2 at 10:00 AM, and we’ll need your help again to bring this home.

Thank you for helping shine a spotlight on CCS. Stay tuned for your chance to vote!

05/14/2026

There is a lot happening with PGLL in the coming weeks!

Join us on Thursday, May 21, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the South Burlington Public Library for a special screening of All You Hear Is Noise. After the film, stick around for a discussion panel and conversation.

Then, on Thursday, May 28, PGLL will hold its Annual Celebration at the Hyde Park VFW from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Please feel free to join us as we recognize the accomplishments of all 5 of our Peer Growth & Lifelong Learning campuses.

Mark your calendars. We would love to have you with us!

05/13/2026

On Monday, Bridging had a special musical guest.

Grace Palmer stopped by with her guitar to share her experiences and sing a few songs with the group. Grace is an independent Americana singer-songwriter based in Burlington, Vermont, whose music blends storytelling, heart, and personal experience.

Music has a special way of bringing people together, and Grace did just that. She brought smiles, created a few new fans, and filled the room with music, laughter, and connection.

A big thank you to Grace for spending time with Bridging and sharing her talent with us!

05/11/2026

CCS invites staff to nominate colleagues "caught" in starring acts of excellence at work! Winners are revealed at our All-Staff meeting. See the stars announced this month . . .

See which CCS staffers earned nominations from their peers at our most recent All-Staff meeting: CATCH A STAR      May 2026        Jacob - Jacob has exemplified excellent support and cultivated t

05/10/2026

It’s finally springtime! That means here at CCS, it’s time to plant seeds, resoil our raised beds, and get our hands dirty. Our first gardening group of the year met this week, and we transplanted peas, sage, zucchini, lettuce, spinach and more that were generously donated by Via and Andy from City Sprouts Neighborhood Gardeners. https://citysproutsvt.com
We are grateful for the chance to try our hands at growing new vegetables this year and can’t wait to watch our garden grow!

05/08/2026

Here at CCS, Farkle is a hot game. In fact, you can see it being played almost daily.

Farkle is a dice game of risk, chance, and knowing when to keep rolling or play it safe. Every Thursday, the Farkle group gathers for friendly competition, plenty of laughs, and a chance to earn bragging rights by taking home the Farkle Cup.

The group has even created their own rules, carefully written down on the official Farkle Scroll. Break a rule, and you just might risk your chances of winning the cup.

The dice may be small, but the competition is serious.