What We Do
For Children
For Youth
For Families
3,580 individuals served in Central Vermont from July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Help children thrive
Family Center News and Events
💥 Picnic in the Park Update 💥
Unfortunately, we need to cancel our final Picnic in the Park of the season due to an unexpected scheduling conflict. 🙁
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Thank you to everyone who joined us throughout the summer; we loved spending time with your families!
We still have several opportunities to connect this week:
📚 Wednesday: Barre City Playgroup at the Aldrich Public Library, 10–11 A.M.
🧸 Thursday: BBOP(Building Blocks of Play) Playgroup in the community Room at the Family Center of Washington County 10–11 A.M.
🛝Thursday: Dads & Kids Playgroup at the Family Center of Washington County, 5-6:30 P.M.
🌈 Saturday: Saturday Morning Playgroup at the Family Center of Washington County featuring a special Tie-Dye Event, 10 A.M - 12 P.M.
We hope to see you at one of our upcoming playgroups before we take a short break for the month of August!
👏🏻 Dads, This One's for You!
Looking for a fun way to connect with other dads while making memories with your kids?
Dad Guild is Vermont's largest fatherhood community, offering family events, peer support, parenting resources, workshops, and more for dads and masculine-identifying caregivers.
Check out the flyer below to learn more and visit dadguild.org to explore upcoming events and opportunities!
Because strong dads help build strong families. 💙
👨👧👦 Calling All Dads, Grandfathers, Father Figures & Caregivers!
Looking for a place to connect with other dads, share experiences, and build meaningful relationships?
Dad Guild is all about supporting fathers through connection, conversation, and community. Whether you're a new dad, a seasoned parent, or a father figure, you'll find encouragement, resources, and opportunities to learn alongside other dads.
Check out this month's Dad Guild Monthly Five for upcoming workshops, podcast episodes, family activities, and more! 💙
🦸♀️🦸♂️ Fun Friday: Superhero Day! 🦸♂️🦸♀️
This past Friday, July 17, our Early Childhood Program celebrated Superhero Day!
Children were invited to come dressed as their favorite superhero or create their own disguise for a day filled with imagination, creativity, and fun. Our little heroes embraced the spirit of the day with confidence and excitement.
A huge thank you to our incredible teachers, who continue to go above and beyond to create these special experiences. Their creativity, enthusiasm, and dedication help turn simple themed days into lasting childhood memories. 💙🤩
Sharing from the Barre City Recreation Department: Water Play at Mathewson Playground this weekend!Come play in the water 2pm - 4pm at the Mathewson Playground after the parade this weekend! Ages 2-10 with supervision.
Looking for a fun way to spend a summer afternoon? ☀️🎉
Join our community partner, Capstone Community Action, for their Summer Celebration on Saturday, August 22, from 11 AM–2 PM at 20 Gable Place in Barre!
Enjoy free pizza, Capstone Kitchen treats, Wilcox Ice Cream, family activities, music by DJ Mega Luna, and an opportunity to connect with neighbors and learn more about Capstone’s services.
We hope to see our community come together for this fun-filled event! 💚
Every Friday this summer is Fun Friday in our Early Childhood Program at the Family Center of Washington County! 🤩
Take a look back at our very first Fun Friday of the summer on Friday, July 10 • Beach Day! ☀️🏖️
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for splashing in the pools and sprinklers, playing with inflatable beach balls, and soaking up the summer sunshine.
Our teachers truly go above and beyond to create these experiences. From transforming the playground with beach-themed decorations to ending the day with a special ice cream window, they pour so much creativity, time, and heart into making childhood magical.
It’s so much more than a themed day. It’s about creating joyful memories, encouraging play, and giving children a summer they’ll remember. 💙
💙 Community kindness in action! 👗✨
A huge thank you to Bailey Road for once again partnering with the Family Center of Washington County for our annual Dress Drive! Thanks to their incredible generosity, and the many community members who donated dresses and helped raise funds, we'll be able to host another special Dress Event for local families! 💃🏻
We are so grateful for everyone who made this possible. Your support helps ensure community members can find something special while feeling welcomed and celebrated! 🫶🏻
We can't wait to share the dresses with our community!👗
🗓️The Dress Drive will be held September 8th from
⏱️10AM-12PM
Thank you for helping make a difference, year after year! 💙
💙 Exciting news for Vermont families!
The Family Center of Washington County is proud to be part of a statewide effort with Vermont's 15 Parent Child Centers to launch the Statewide Benefit Assistors Program.
This new initiative will help make it easier for Vermonters to apply for and maintain important benefits like SNAP and Medicaid. By working together, community organizations can provide support with applications, paperwork, and navigating the process-helping families access the resources they need without unnecessary barriers.
Together, we're building stronger connections and making essential services more accessible for families across Vermont. 💛
SNAP enrollment is down in Vermont. Advocates blame new work requirements
www.vermontpublic.org
Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has dropped 7% since passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last summer, according to state data. State lawmakers are bracing for a si...🌞Vermont is heating up!🌡️
With very hot temperatures expected, it's important to take steps to stay safe. Warm nights can make it harder for our bodies to cool down, increasing the risk of heat-related illness.
Here are a few ways to stay safe:
💧 Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
❄️ Spend time in air conditioned or cool indoor spaces if possible.
🧢 Limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.
❤️ Check in on older adults, neighbors, and anyone who may need extra support.
Stay cool, stay hydrated, and take care of yourself and those around you! 💙
