5 years, 22 selections, $2,045 in donations
Since September 2019, the Brain Injury Alliance of Vermont has been selected to benefit from the Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs 22 times at 7 different Hannaford locations. In total, the organization has received $2,045 in donations to continue providing resources
and support to Vermonters affected by brain injury.
Tell us about the Brain Injury Alliance of Vermont.
The Brain Injury Alliance of Vermont is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that was created in 1999 by Vermont parents and concerned professionals who wanted to work together to help brain injury survivors and their families access resources in their areas. Our mission is to create a better future for Vermonters affected by brain injury through prevention, education, advocacy, and support.
We serve roughly 2,500 Vermonters annually, including brain injury survivors, family, friends, caregivers, and professionals.
In 2004, paid staff was added. We currently serve the entire state of Vermont with three employees. We serve roughly 2,500 Vermonters annually, including brain injury survivors, family, friends, caregivers, and professionals. Though we’ve grown a lot over the years, we remain a grassroots organization.
What services do you provide to the community?
We focus on prevention, education, advocacy, and support. To do this, we provide information and referral services through our helpline, run support groups, host annual brain injury conferences, and operate a financial assistance program.
The Courtney Buffum Financial Assistance Program, made possible by the Buffum family, is our small financial assistance program. This program helps offset costs that insurance typically will not cover. For example, many people request things like light-filtering blinds, specialty glasses, acupuncture and massage services for pain relief, and more. Every brain injury is different, so the program lets people ask for what they need to reach their goals and find relief in their daily lives.
Every brain injury is different, so the program lets people ask for what they need to reach their goals and find relief in their daily lives.
We host the Brain Injury Conference annually. In the 24 years since we have taken this responsibility over from the state, we have not missed a single year. The conference sees roughly 100 to 200 participants, including brain injury survivors, caregivers, family, friends, and professionals. Everyone comes together to mingle, network, and learn together.
We are currently in the midst of doing grant work to expand our current programs and add some new programming that survivors have told us they want, such as a behavioral learning program, art programs, a volunteer driver program, and more.
How has the Brain Injury Alliance of Vermont used the donations from the Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs to further its mission?
The funds from the Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs have always supported our helpline. Our helpline serves roughly between 10 and 20 people every week, giving them information and resources. As our largest and longest-running resource, the helpline is by far one of the most important things we offer.
Tell us a story about a program, service, or initiative the Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs have supported.
The Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs have helped to offset the cost of keeping our doors open. We currently receive no state or federal funding. Unfortunately, we have struggled greatly to secure funding to keep our helpline, support groups, and organization running, especially during and after the height of the pandemic. With the help of this program, we have been able to mediate some of the costs and keep our doors open and our helpline running.
Have you noticed any changes in community awareness or support since becoming involved in the Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs?
We have had some folks call the helpline after they saw our social media burst to promote the program or passed the signs at Hannaford stores stating that Hannaford is supporting the Brain Injury Alliance of Vermont that month. We have been able to provide the people who call with more information about who we are and what we do. It’s been a really great way to spread awareness.
What advice would you give to other nonprofits participating in the Hannaford Helps Community Bag and Bloomin’ 4 Good Programs?
I would tell other nonprofits participating to use the resources Hannaford sends. The graphics are great, plus they are always changing! It really helps get the message out there. Tagging the stores and using hashtags can also help bring in a different audience you wouldn’t normally reach.
Interview with Aleshia Doyon, Information and Referral Coordinator