Unity Through Community: Our 14th Roots of Prevention Awards Ceremony
On May 16th, BPHC hosted our 14th annual Roots of Prevention Award Ceremony at Contois Auditorium in City Hall. This year's theme, "Unity through Community," highlighted the exceptional contributions of community changemakers dedicated to fostering a safer and healthier Burlington. The event was a great success and we were honored to recognize these amazing individuals for their outstanding efforts.
Our D.G. Weaver Award was presented to Angela Halsted. Angela is a Student Assistance Program Counselor (SAP) at Edmunds Middle School, providing students with support and families with resources to address substance use and mental health needs. She works individually with students on issues such as stress, substance use, body image, anxiety, depression, and family conflict. Angela also promotes health and wellness throughout the school by providing educational materials, leading health-focused activities, hosting caregiver Dialogue Nights, and supporting student-led events. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a crucial role in reducing disruptions and supporting students' stress relief, demonstrating her deep compassion and commitment to the community.
The Youth & Families Award was given to Mukhtar Abdullahi. Mukhtar has been a dedicated coach with the Burlington Football Club for almost five years, showing a deep love for the game and the youth community. Highly regarded in the Greater Burlington area, he led the Seahorses to the Division 1 playoffs semifinals in his second season, fostering a fun and inclusive environment that encourages players to grow both on and off the field. Mukhtar also inspires his players to give back to their community, emphasizing the importance of hard work, kindness, and positivity.
The Outstanding Individual Award was presented to Dr. L.E. Faricy. Dr. L.E. Faricy, a pediatric pulmonologist at UVM Medical Center, has witnessed the impacts of substance misuse on youth and works tirelessly to provide empathetic care and resources. Beyond their hospital work, Dr. Faricy serves on the Board of the American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter and teaches at the UVM Larner College of Medicine. They have championed efforts to ban flavored tobacco products in Vermont and partnered with Outright Vermont to support LGBTQ+ youth, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Dr. Faricy dedicates time to speaking at schools, meeting with parents, mentoring future doctors, and volunteering in local programs.
Our second Outstanding Individual Award was presented to Barbara Tyler. Known as Barb, she is the co-founder of the “Laurentide Cares Team,” a peer-run group assisting residents of Laurentide, a Champlain Housing Trust community, with food needs and social support. Heavily engaged in her community, she participates in events like Coffee Hour, plans local block parties, and creates a welcoming environment. Barb encourages neighbors to get involved, strengthening community connections and addressing social isolation, making her a shining example of a community leader.
The Outstanding Program Award was presented to the Burlington Fire Department (BFD) Community Response Team. The BFD staff noticed an increasing number of overdose calls for service and wanted to make a difference. They proposed the Community Response Team (CRT) to the Fire Chief, leading to a pilot program that streamlines responses and improves care for affected individuals. Since its inception in October 2023, the CRT has interacted with over 1,200 people and contributed to a 23-45% reduction in overdose responses by providing wound care, support services, and Narcan kits.
This year, Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak delivered inspiring opening remarks, urging our community to support and acknowledge one another, aligning perfectly with our theme, "Unity through Community." Our event featured distinguished speakers, including Mariah Flynn, Director of the Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community Coalition, and Cam Lauf, Executive Director of the Turning Point Recovery Center. They shared their experiences, emphasizing the importance of substance prevention and its profound impact on our community.
We were deeply moved by a personal story from local storyteller Ferene Paris of All Heart Inspirations. Her thoughtful insights about life's challenges and the power of empathy resonated strongly with the audience. Throughout the event, local artist Nicole Christman supported attendees to all contribute to a beautiful watercolor art piece. This collaborative community piece will be on display at locations around the city.
A heartfelt thank you goes to all our main event sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield, Sugarsnap, and the United Way of Northwest VT, as well as staff, volunteers, partner organizations, and BPHC supporters for making this free community celebration possible every year!
Watch a recording of the 2024 event here! Thank you to Center for Media and Democracy CCTV Channel 17 for filming.
Do you know a person, group, program, or business that we should consider for a Roots of Prevention Award in 2025? Fill out a nomination here!
