About Us

Our Mission

The Gathering Place provides adult day services to promote empowerment, independence and quality of life for elders, adults with disabilities and their caregivers. We are dedicated to fostering collaborative community partnerships.

Our Values

We treat clients and family members with respect, compassion, and regard for their dignity and individuality. We adhere to ethical and professional standards of care, confidentiality and accountability in our work and relationships.

Our History

In 1987 the Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont received funding from the State to conduct a feasibility study to plan an Adult Day program in the Brattleboro area to serve Windham County.  In 1989 The Gathering Place (TGP) opened its doors as a program of the Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont (COASEV). The first Center opened with two (2) staff, and served six (6) families three days a week.

By 1990, the Center was serving 26 families and had an average daily census of 6.5.  By 1992, TGP had grown and was serving 45 families and averaging 10.2 participants per day.  Over the years our census grew exponentially and in 1993 TGP incorporated as a stand-alone 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization.

Our original location was the recreation room at Hilltop House but growing enrollments indicated a need for our own facility.  With steady growth in FY 2000 TGP moved to Brattleboro West Plaza, sharing a facility with C&S Wholesalers. The board and staff recognized that the growth would continue and began planning the next move with hopes of a TGP owned facility.

In October 2001, with the support of our Board, community, a grant from the State of Vermont, and a low interest mortgage, the TGP purchased its site in Brattleboro from the Eagles. 

The lovely 1800’s Victorian building located on 30 Terrace Street renovation was generously funded through USDA, a grant by Thomas Thompson Trust, matched by local businesses and community members as well as “in-kind” donations from the Board, staff and volunteers, which helped lessen the construction costs. TGP proudly moved into its own facility at 30 Terrace Street in March 2002.

Over the years, there were many repairs and updates to meet the changing needs of those attending the Center.  In January of 2015, TGP lost approximately 60% of the building due to water damage.

The damage fast tracked a significant expansion that was in the preliminary planning stages.  The community of Brattleboro, the Tarrant Foundation, Thompson Trust, VT Community Foundation, Ellen Willard Trust, The Board of Directors and staff went to work.  Westfield Construction and the generosity of three anonymous donors made the renovation and expansion to utilize the building more effectively happen quickly.  The result is that our Brattleboro location now boasts 7,200 square feet of beautiful space that includes a rehab kitchen, additional space for exercise and multiple groups. We are forever grateful for everyone’s help.

In July of 2013, TGP started a pilot program for non-skilled Home Care Services.  After just four months, the program expanded and became a Board approved permanent service.  Home Care Services include companionship, cooking, grocery shopping, light housekeeping, and assistance with exercise and bathing, and so much more.  TGP’s Home Care Services are offered 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. 

2018 brought about major expansion for The Gathering Place when we opened our Deerfield Valley satellite location in West Dover, Vermont to better meet the needs of the Deerfield Valley.  This site would not have been possible without the generosity and support of the Towns of Dover, Wilmington and surround area. 

In March of 2020 due to COVID 19 and an emergency mandate by the Governor we closed our doors and paused in person services, including no longer accepting home care clients.  With doors still closed the financial commitment for the West Dover building occupancy and maintenance was unsustainable. In May 2021 the Board of Directors voted to not reopen our West Dover satellite.  This decision allowed The Gathering Place to focus all resources on enhancing the lives of our participants and their families throughout Windham County, and the surrounding area, through the Brattleboro location. Beginning Monday, June 7 2021 while following State phased re-opening guidelines, the Brattleboro location opened to in person services.  

Our Location

The Gathering Place serves families of Windham County and surrounding areas at our Brattleboro location.

The Gathering Place
Brattleboro

Our Brattleboro center is located in a spacious Victorian-era mansion within a community neighborhood. Accessible parking available.

30 Terrace St
Brattleboro, VT 05301

802-254-6559

info@gatheringplacevt.org

Our Team

Heather Robertson

Heather Robertson

Executive Director

Heather holds a BS in Management and over 20 years combined experience in human resources, finance and non-profit management.  She has been a member of the TGP management staff since 2016. Her strong commitment to community-based services and her personal experience as a family caregiver brings skilled insight and compassion to the needs of our participants. Heather is a longtime resident of Windham County and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.  

Board of Directors

Our Board members provide support and guidance to The Gathering Place and serve as our champions in the community.

Pat Pat Bozetarnik, President Until her recent retirement, Pat was owner of Bozetarnik & McGrath Associates, a training and consulting company serving financial institutions and non profit organizations. Pat brings to The Gathering Place over 40 years experience in professional development and 10 years of leadership as President of the Board of Directors of the Women’s Freedom Center. Bob Crego Robert “Bob” Crego, Treasurer Bob has worked in community development for over 30 years, largely working with nonprofits in the areas of strategic and business planning, finance and asset management, program development and management, and grant writing.  Over the years, Bob has obtained over $30 million in public and private grant funding, primarily for affordable housing, education and health care-related projects. Bob received a Master of Arts in Teaching Social Studies from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, and a B.A. in History from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. Dr. Anne Brewer Dr. Anne Brewer, MD, Secretary Anne holds an MD degree from the University Of Vermont College Of Medicine, Burlington, VT; a B.A. from Brown University, Providence, RI. Her residency in Family Medicine was at the University Of Connecticut Affiliated Hospitals, Farmington, CT where she also received an MPH degree. She is Board Certified from the American Board of Family Medicine with added qualifications in Geriatrics, Sports Medicine, Adolescent Medicine, and Hospice & Palliative Medicine. She has worked with hospice and palliative care teams for 30 years. Dr. Brewer joined the Grace Cottage staff in 2017. Dr. Brewer and her husband The Very Rev. James Kowalski reside in Townshend Vt. They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.
Kree Rinfret

Becky Arbella
Becky Arbella

Becky serves as the Community Specialist/SASH Implementation Manager for Shires Housing and has been with the organization for over 6 years. She is dedicated to connecting housing with wellness and ensuring that residents and SASH participants have access to the resources they need. Becky has many talents and passions, from flower arranging to farming to providing virtual dementia tours and, of course baking.

Ewa Arnold
Dr. Ewa Arnold

Dr. Ewa Dziewiecka Arnold graduated from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, and Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. She completed her family practice residency at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and Fletcher Allen Medical Center in Burlington. She joined Grace Cottage in 2012. Dr. Arnold and her husband Kyle have two children. She loves the outdoors and yoga.

Joanne Erenhouse

Joann Erenhouse, Esq

Joann is the Community Relations Director at Senior Solutions in Springfield, VT and has a passion for creating win/win situations for our communities. Joann served as the Director of the Chamber of Commerce in Bennington for 10 years and created the Vermont Rural Education Outreach Program.

Dana Sorice

Dana Riccoboni Sorice

Dana Riccoboni Sorice is a skilled litigator with over fifteen years of expertise spanning immigration, family law and civil litigation. With a strong work ethic, sense of initiative, sound judgment, Dana passionately represents client interests and has a proven success rate of achieving case dismissals, advantageous settlements and favorable verdicts.  Dana lives in Dover, Vermont, with her husband and their children, where she serves the Town as Secretary of the Planning Commission. She enjoys the outdoors, crafting and looks forward to contributing to TGP.


Sander H. Lee 

Sander H. Lee is Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at Keene State College in Keene, New Hampshire, USA. He is also a bereavement volunteer at Brattleboro Hospice. He is the author of “Primo Levi’s Gray Zone: Implications for Post-Holocaust Ethics” which appeared in the journal Holocaust and Genocide Studies in 2016. He has also written numerous additional essays on issues in aesthetics, ethics, Holocaust studies, social philosophy, and metaphysics.

Certifications

The Gathering Place is certified by the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) and complies with Vermont Standards for Adult Day Services.

Annual Reports

Annual Report 2021

©2024

Brattleboro Center
30 Terrace St
Brattleboro, VT 05301

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