Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Addison Housing Works Block Party on Friday, September 18!

Thanks to the incredible support of our community, we raised $47,000 to support affordable housing and resident services initiatives throughout Addison County. We are so grateful to everyone who attended, donated, sponsored, volunteered, and helped make this event possible. We truly couldn’t have done it without you!

We would especially like to thank our Presenting Sponsors, Deppman Law and Otter Creek Engineering, for their generous support of Addison Housing Works and our mission. Their partnership played an important role in making this year’s Block Party a success.

Every ticket purchased, sponsorship made, and donation given helps Addison Housing Works continue our work to create and maintain safe, affordable homes and connect residents with services and resources throughout Addison County.

Thank you for showing up for affordable housing—and for making this year’s Block Party one to remember!

Mary Atherton was born and raised in Vermont, attending school in Bristol before beginning a career that would take her down many different paths. Over the years, she wore several hats—from owning and managing a local tavern to becoming one of the first female purchasing agents working on military contracts. Along the way, she also raised two children as a single mother. Looking back, she laughs at how much she managed to fit in. “I don't even know where I found the time.” Eventually, Mary found herself in East Middlebury, where she owned and operated a deli and market for roughly 20 years. Serving food and connecting with her community became one of her greatest passions.

Living above the deli kept Mary close to her business during years when work often began early in the morning and continued late into the evening. But as her health changed, so did what she needed from a home. “I was having a lot of trouble with the stairs,” she recalls, and falls in the bathroom became a serious concern. Eventually, Mary retired, sold her business, and found a home at Firehouse Apartments, bringing her back to her hometown of Bristol.

For Mary, accessible housing allows her to continue living independently. Features such as a single-level layout and properly placed bathroom supports help her feel secure in her home while managing changes in her health and mobility. She recalls thinking “well, this is actually just perfect!” Just as importantly, living at Firehouse keeps her connected to the community where she grew up and close to her children in Monkton.

Moving into an apartment community was a major adjustment for Mary, who had not rented since she was young. Over time, however, she has found ways to connect with her neighbors. Most notably through her participation in AHW’s community garden program. Because traditional ground-level gardening would be difficult with her mobility and pain, the raised garden beds have allowed Mary to continue her lifelong passion: growing and sharing food.
That generosity reflects a belief Mary has carried throughout her life: when people have something to offer, they should share it.

It also reflected how she thinks about affordable housing communities. She believes each person brings their own experiences, knowledge, and skills that can strengthen the community around them.

AHW is grateful to have Mary as part of the Firehouse Apartments community and to see her continue doing what she has done throughout her life—connecting with others, sharing what she can, and making her community a little stronger.

For many people, pets are an important part of the family. However, the rising costs for veterinary care, transportation and pet food are pushing more people to consider giving up their pets, and shelters are facing record demand (VTDigger, Sept. 2026).

This summer, Addison Housing Works partnered with Homeward Bound, Addison County’s Humane Society, to bring its PetCORE Clinic directly to AHW residents. The PetCORE clinic is a program designed to bring affordable pet care to under-resourced or low-income pet owners, keeping beloved pets healthy and at home. The program provides basic wellness veterinary care including nail trims and vaccinations, flea/tick & parasite prevention, spay/neuter surgery, and supplemental pet food at an affordable rate all year round.

AHW staff members Sam, Precious, and Kaio worked with Homeward Bound and residents to coordinate clinics at Firehouse Apartments in Bristol and Armory Lane in Vergennes, where residents and community members could gather to sign up for the Pet CORE clinic and receive basic pet care.

At the Firehouse Apartments clinic, 15 families received services, with several bringing more than one pet. Four AHW households participated, three from Firehouse Apartments and one from Hunt Farm. None of the four had previously been enrolled in Homeward Bound’s PetCORE Clinic, so in addition to receiving care at the clinic, they are now connected with the program and can access its services throughout the year.

For Firehouse resident Mary Atherton, having the clinic come directly to her community meant she could bring her 14-pound dog, Max, for a wellness check. Mary said other residents were equally enthusiastic about having the clinic available right at Firehouse Apartments. “Everybody was really thrilled,” she said. “I think that there’s animals here that will not get treated. So that’s one program I would love to see happen again.”

Precious heard similar appreciation from another Firehouse resident, who shared that the clinic made it possible for them to afford veterinary care for their pet. For older adults and others living on fixed incomes, those savings can make a meaningful difference.

By partnering with organizations like Homeward Bound, AHW can help connect residents with resources that support the whole household, including its four-legged members.

Addison Housing Works is excited to be partnering with Summit to offer Shared Equity grants for two of the new townhomes that are available right now. These second set of homes are available to households earning up to 120% Area Median Income. For more information about the Stonecrop, Shared Equity Program or to apply, please click on the link Shared Equity Program or reach out to Michelle at [email protected].