Classes & Workshops

kindling connections
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Kindling Connections

Kindling Connections will help you move forward in your journey to make positive changes in your life, with a focus on community-building, reflection and reframing of experiences, and practical exercises to identify or reconnect with your own strengths and core values.
Mercy On The Move
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Mercy On The Move

Mercy On The Move is an informal and relaxed group taking slow, mindful walks to the Burlington Waterfront. Focus is on building community and supporting others. Participants will meet and end at Mercy Connections.
Wellbeing & Self Care: Tools and Practices
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Wellbeing & Self Care: Tools and Practices

Learn alternative self-care healing tools and practices you can practice on yourself at home. These tools and practices will teach you ways to: Release stress and tension from your body and mind; recharge yourself; gain clarity; see things from new perspectives; and, allow you to respond to challenges in supportive, life-affirming ways.
opening to your life
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Opening to Your Life

This six-hour workshop over 2 days focuses on helping you discover your strengths, open up to joy and move towards balance in your life. Through activities and reflections, you will focus on your authentic self as well as learn and practice core life skills that promote connection to others and personal growth.
setting a direction
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Setting a Direction

In this six-hour workshop over 2 days, you will explore how reflecting upon your experiences, challenges and opportunities can help move you in a direction of new possibilities. Creative activities will help you find and claim your courage as you chart your life journey and practice skills that support life change.
sober reflections
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Sober Reflections: Women’s Recovery Group

All women+ are invited to this open, supportive recovery group, based in the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (but appropriate for all addictive behaviors, i.e. alcohol, drugs, relationships, etc.) The format of the meetings will include readings, meditation, journaling, and sharing. No registration/Drop-In.
english language learning
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

English Language Learning (ELL) & Academic Tutoring

Adult learners are matched with skilled tutors, one-on- one, to improve academic skills or English Language Learning (ELL) skills.
pens and pages
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Pens & Pages

In this class will read, write about, and explore Black and African American experiences in the U.S. through poetry.
Power of Connection: Stories of Strength & Resilience
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Power of Connection: Stories of Strength & Resilience

We’ll bring you the stories Mercy Connections is known for sharing at our annual event, direct to your home or place of work. The program is sure to be powerful and will feature the strength, progress, and resiliency of participants.
Person typing on a laptop, with coffee and a notepad
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Start Up

Start Up is our signature business program. This supportive, inclusive 15-week course is a deep dive into business planning.

Classes & Workshops
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Vermont Women's Mentoring Program Mentor Training

Mercy Connections provides a 5-week training program–Thursdays, September 22, 29, and October 6, 13 & 20 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.–and ongoing support, including mentor support group meetings, education on issues that affect the re-entry process, and healthy social events.

Person speaking in a group.
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Developing Self

This class offers a great first step on a new journey to overcome life’s challenges. You will learn to reflect on experiences and reframe their impact on your future. Participants will reconnect with core strengths and values, gain confidence and find a new sense of belonging.

Person with greeting cards offering a thumbs up.
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Mercy Marketplace

Are you an artist or crafter who has dreamed of selling your work? In this 10-week vendor training course, you will apply project management skills to explore how to sell your products to the public. You will learn how to assess the market for your products and what makes your work unique, how to create a budget and price products, and how to work with customers and handle money.

Person holding a compass
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Setting a Direction

In this two-day workshop, you will explore how your experiences, challenges and opportunities can move you in a direction of new possibilities. Creative activities will invite you to understand and claim your courage as you chart your life journey and practice skills that support life change.

Lake Champlain with cloudy sky above.
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Connecting Today to the Future

In this workshop, you will participate in helpful guided activities to practice connecting more deeply with your goals. Explore your intentions, hopes, and dreams. You will gain insights into how self-control, inspiration, and positivity can support your success.

Person holding a heart-shaped rock with the word,
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Inspire Your Life

Come discover what inspires you & create a motivating vision of your life. In this workshop series, you will learn how creativity can expand your potential to adapt, grow and move forward. Participate in group discussions and creative assignments to develop an inspired vision of your life.

sparkler with a dark sky behind it.
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Setting Course for 2023

In this program, you will learn how to welcome new possibilities by setting your mind toward growth and change. Come develop meaningful goals and strategize how to navigate obstacles. Through group discussions and creative activities, you will develop a vision and plan for making progress over 2023!
Signs for help, support, advice and guidance
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Men Moving Forward

Join us for this engaging support group for men and male-identified persons. Learn from each other as you explore your circumstances, your experiences, and your goals. This program will grow your skills in building supportive relationships with other men as you challenge and sustain each other, work through personal goals and life transitions, and learn how to show up for yourself and others.
Person holding a heart-shaped rock with the word,
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Circle

Circle is a supportive experience where people reflect on peace, hope and healing. Participants find renewal and gain strength as they listen to and talk about experiences. Enjoy this special time to feel part of a nurturing community and imagine new possibilities.
Person typing on laptop with paper, pen, glasses and a coffee mug
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Small Business Workshop: Idea to Action

Idea to Action is a six-hour workshop over three two hour sessions for adult learners. This short course is designed to introduce aspiring entrepreneurs to self-employment and to assist you with creating a vision and a plan for a path forward that includes business ownership. Space is prioritized for new participants.
coffee mug with laptop open to zoom class
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Intro to Small Business: Lunch & Learn Series

In this introductory series, participants can drop in to one or all virtual lunchtime sessions to learn about the basics of business ownership. The format will include a short presentation, worktime to complete a relevant activity, and time for connection and Q&A. Register to drop in for just one session or more. Session Topics: 1.Developing a Business Concept 2.Intro to Marketing 3.Registering Your Business 4.Business Finance 5.Paying Yourself & Hiring Others

Person holding a book about storytelling and why storytelling is important.
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Autobiographical Storytelling

We shape who we are by the stories we tell from our past. These stories enable us to share our lives with other people and also clarify who we are. In this 6-week class we will explore how to select a story we want to tell, and then shape it for performance. Storytelling aloud is different from writing a story. We will learn techniques for creating and performing our own stories. We will also practice strategies for dealing with the anxiety that often arises when we perform for others. The last class will be an informal show, for family and friends. No experience in storytelling is required!
Group of people smiling and reading books.
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Pens & Pages

Adults in this class will read and write about the experiences of Indigenous peoples in the U.S. Writing exercises will encourage creativity and reflection. Students will support each other through intentional listening and focused feedback. The primary book for this class will be Robin Wall Zimmerer’s book, Braiding Sweetgrass, a combination of memoir, Native American lore and science journal. Books are provided free of charge from Vermont Humanities Council.
tutoring pair working together.
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

English Language Learning (ELL) & Academic Tutoring

Please note that the tutoring programs below are not drop-in programs. Each student is paired with their own tutor and commits to meeting weekly at the same time and on the same day. Adult learners are matched with skilled tutors, one-on- one, to improve academic skills or ELL skills. Each student is provided with an individualized education support plan. Students meet in our center, and the program is staffed and facilitated by the ELL Program Coordinator.

Classes & Workshops
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

U.S. Citizenship Preparation Tutoring

Adult learners are matched with skilled tutors, one-on-one, to prepare for the U.S. Citizenship Test and Interview. Students will study United States history, government, and geography. Each class includes practice questions and answers from the U.S. Citizenship Test and time to practice English Language skills. We recommend registering for tutoring prior to submitting the N400 application to USCIS. Students learn about the N-400 application process and receive support to understand the language of the application.
Classroom of people working and learning.
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

English Language Learning (ELL) Literacy and Language Class

This group class is intended for adult beginning-level ELL students who have not had literacy instruction in any language and for whom English is a new language. The class will include instruction in the four main skill areas of ELL development: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Instruction will also focus on survival-English literacy skills such as recognizing street signs, bus routes, and names of community landmarks. This class is offered in partnership with Winooski School District and VSAC.
map of the world
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

English Language Learning (ELL) Beginning Level Class

This group class is intended for adult beginning level ELL students who are literate in at least one other language and who have at least some formal education in their first languages. The students entering this class will have a very basic level of English or no English. However, they will be literate in both reading and writing in their first languages. Instruction will include skill development in reading, writing, listening and speaking as well as survival English.
Classes & Workshops
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

U.S. Citizenship Test Preparation Class

In this beginning level class, adult students seeking U.S. Citizenship study the content of our Citizenship Preparation Curriculum while also strengthening their English Language skills. Students will study questions related to U.S. history, government and geography. Each class will provide opportunities to practice questions and answers from the test. Additionally, students will practice improving their skills in English reading, writing, listening, speaking and vocabulary. Students will learn how to navigate the process of becoming a U.S. Citizen and will practice understanding the language needed to apply and interview. Students who are not literate in their first language are encouraged to take our ELL Literacy and Language class before enrolling in Citizenship study.
group of people celebrating and smiling at the camera
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Vermont Community Leadership Training

Gain confidence. Find your voice. Create change. This training combines exciting community-based projects with leadership and self-awareness activities for all abilities. Contact Heather Gilbert (hgilbert@mercyconnections.org) for more information on our Winter/Spring session.

cup designed with a bright pink elephant with gold glitter
Tutoring • January 19 - June 9

Mercy Marketplace Shop

Come shop at Mercy Marketplace! Saturday, December 10 from 11:00am - 3:00pm here at Mercy Connections. You'll find unique items made by Mercy Marketplace participants who have completed a 10-week vendor training course this fall. All sales directly support the artist.