Help in Vermont
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 21 places in Vermont, most of them in Burlington, Rutland and Montpelier, plus 11 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people after prison or jail (12) and after treatment and in recovery (12).
HOPE Works
Chittenden County nonprofit for survivors of sexual violence with a 24-hour hotline, online chat, advocates who explain options after an assault, free therapy, and support groups. Call or chat first; appointments with an advocate or therapist are scheduled from there.
Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Statewide Hotlines
Two free statewide lines connect anyone in Vermont to the local domestic or sexual violence program for their county. Advocates help with safety planning, protection order information, hospital accompaniment, basic needs, and short-term shelter or safe-home placement.
Vermont 211
Free, confidential information and referral line for any need in Vermont, from food and shelter to recovery and legal help. Dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211 and a specialist searches the statewide database with you.
Vermont DOC Transitional Housing Program
The state funds 12 community providers with about 243 beds and apartments for people leaving Vermont incarceration who are release-eligible but have no appropriate place to go. Providers add support services aimed at moving residents into permanent housing; placement is arranged through the DOC rather than walk-in.
Youth Development Program (YDP)
Vermont's statewide extended care program for teens and young adults ages 14 up to 23 who have been in DCF foster care. Youth Development Coordinators in all 12 DCF districts provide case management, Youth Investment Grants, an Independent Living Stipend, Adult Living Partner payments for caregivers of youth over 18, and Foster Youth to Independence housing vouchers through VSHA.
Spectrum Youth & Family Services
Burlington agency for young people ages 12–30 with a drop-in center for ages 14–25, emergency shelter and transitional housing for ages 16–24, a free health clinic, counseling, job skills, and mentoring. Spectrum also hosts the Chittenden and Franklin County Youth Development Coordinators for former foster youth.
USCRI Vermont
Vermont's refugee resettlement office since 1980, based in Colchester, offering housing placement, employment help, interpreting, intensive case management, counseling, and a low-cost immigration legal program for family and humanitarian cases. Employment, housing, and interpreting services are also open to trafficking survivors.
COTS Daystation
Daytime drop-in center for adults 18 and over without children in Burlington, open every day of the year with lunch at 12:30, showers, laundry, computers, and housing staff. It is also the intake point for the COTS Waystation overnight shelter and the Winter Warming Station.
ANEW Place
Chittenden County homeless services agency for adults that runs a sober shelter at 89 North Street in Burlington plus a pathway of transitional and supportive housing. Entry starts by getting on the waitlist through the referrals page.
Turning Point Center of Chittenden County
Peer-run recovery community center in downtown Burlington at South Winooski Avenue and King Street. Recovery coaches, a parents-in-recovery program, daily groups, and emergency department coaches who link people to detox, housing, jobs, and mental health care.
Vermont Recovery Network
Statewide network of eleven peer recovery centers, including Turning Point Center of Rutland at 141 State Street and Turning Point Center of Central Vermont at 18 South Main Street in Barre. Each center is staffed by people in recovery who help guests find treatment, safe housing, work, and peer support.
Legal Services Vermont / Vermont Legal Aid Helpline
Free civil legal help for low-income Vermonters on housing, benefits, family, health, debt, and victim issues. Leave a message on the helpline or fill out the online Legal Help Request Form; staff call back within about 5 to 10 days and free interpreters are provided.
Give Way to Freedom
Vermont foundation providing rapid response and customized care for survivors of human trafficking and people vulnerable to it, working through a partner network of service providers. Survivors needing immediate help are directed to the national trafficking hotline, which routes to Vermont partners.
Vermont Vital Records Office
Certified Vermont birth certificates cost $10 and are available from any Town or City Clerk, by mail with the application form, or online through the Vermont State Archives portal for a $2 processing fee. Only family members, legal guardians, certain court-appointed parties, or their legal representatives can order, and valid ID is required.
Vermont DMV Non-Driver Identification Card
State photo ID for Vermont residents who do not drive, issued at DMV offices with proof of identity and Vermont residency. A REAL ID version needs identity, Social Security number, residency, and lawful status documents.
3SquaresVT and Benefits Service Center
Vermont's SNAP program and the Benefits Service Center that handles applications for food, health, and cash assistance. Apply online through the myBenefits portal or request paper Form 202 by phone; households at or below 185% of the federal poverty level generally qualify.
Rutland Dismas House
Family-style transitional home in Rutland for people coming out of prison, where residents, staff, and volunteers share weekday dinners in a structured therapeutic community. One of five Dismas houses in Vermont; apply with the Resident Application form on the website.
Homeless Prevention Center
Rutland County agency for families and individuals who are homeless or facing eviction, offering homelessness prevention, supportive services, and housing help by appointment. Anyone in Rutland County needing shelter tonight is directed to the state line at 800-775-0506.
BROC Community Action
Community action agency for Rutland and Bennington Counties with a Rutland food shelf, 3SquaresVT application help, rental and homelessness assistance, fuel and utility aid, weatherization, tax help, and victim services. Food shelf visitors sign up privately online before coming in.
Good Samaritan Haven
The only adult emergency shelters in Washington County: Turret House at 137 Barre Street in Montpelier, the Welcome Center in Berlin, Seminary Street House in Barre, and a recovery-oriented sober house in Barre Town. Beds are assigned by the intake coordinator by phone on weekday mornings and early afternoons.
Steps to End Domestic Violence
Chittenden County's intimate partner violence program with a 24/7 hotline that is the front door to safety planning, emergency housing assessment, a 21-unit shelter, legal advocacy, support groups, and a family program. Interpreters in 300+ languages plus direct Spanish, Swahili, and Nepali hotlines.
National lines that work in Vermont
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral for substance use and mental health. Finds local programs that take your insurance or none.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential hotline for survivors of trafficking and people who suspect it. Connects to vetted local services.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Advocates connect you to local shelters and legal help.
Start right where you are
Each program has a step-by-step checklist for the first 72 hours, 30 days, and 90 days, so you always know your next step.