Classes & Workshops

Kindling Connections

This class will help you move forward in your journey to make positive changes in your life, with a focus on community-building, reflection, and practical exercises. You will find renewed energy to keep reaching for and achieving your life goals and success.

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

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.

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.

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 & Pages

Adults in this class will be reading Our Missing Hearts, by Celeste Ng. The themes we will discuss include the power of art to create change, racism and bias against Asian-Americans, censorship and government voice vs individual freedoms, the meaning of patriotism, family systems and our resilience to survive heartache. Each week, students will read approximately 30 pages for homework, and will be expected to write one piece of writing. In class, we will discuss the reading and share our writings. Participants provide feedback to peers with the goal of helping each other become stronger writers. This class is designed for native English readers, writers, and speakers. English Language Learners are welcome but need to possess an advanced level of spoken and written English. Books are provided free of charge by Vermont Humanities Council.

Start Up

Vermont Women's Mentoring Program Mentor Training

Are you interested in making a positive difference? Become a mentor! Mercy Connections provides a 5-week training program–Wednesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. (the final week is from 5:30 - 8:00 pm) –and ongoing support, including mentor support group meetings, education on issues that affect the re-entry process, and healthy social events.

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.

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.

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.

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. Schedule: March 15 + 22 from 2:00 – 4:30 pm

Inspire Your Life

Come discover what inspires you & create a motivating vision of your life. In this workshop, 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. Schedule: May 17 + 24 from 2:00 – 4:30 pm

Wellbeing & Self Care: Tools and Practices

Learn alternative self-care healing tools you can practice on yourself at home to help you release stress and tension from your body and mind, recharge yourself, gain clarity or new perspective, and allow you to respond to challenges in supportive, life-affirming ways.

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. Regular attendance is expected for ongoing participation in this group. Participants can register up until February 24th for this session.

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. This program requires you to register, but you may drop in even if you cannot attend each week. Schedule: Thursdays, January 26 - June 8 from? 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Small Business Workshop: Idea to Action Session I - In Person

Idea to Action is a six-hour workshop over three 2-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.

Small Business Workshop: Idea to Action Session II Virtual

Idea to Action is a six-hour workshop over three 2-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.

Intro to Small Business: Lunch & Learn Series

In this introductory series, participants can drop in to one or all five virtual lunchtime sessions to learn about the basics of business ownership. The format will include a short presentation, work time 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

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 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!

Pens & Pages Session I

Adults in this class will be reading Our Missing Hearts, by Celeste Ng. The themes we will discuss include the power of art to create change, racism and bias against Asian-Americans, censorship and government voice vs individual freedoms, the meaning of patriotism, family systems and our resilience to survive heartache. Books are provided free of charge from Vermont Humanities Council.

Pens & Pages Session II

In session 2, the class will be reading Atlas of the Heart by renowned social researcher, Brené Brown. We will use the book as a jumping-off point to discuss themes such as human emotions and how to manage things like worry and anxiety in our lives. We’ll talk and write about what tools we have to support ourselves during difficult times and how to overcome barriers to success. We will also focus on making meaningful connections and how an awareness of our emotions can nurture and strengthen those connections. Books are provided free of charge from Vermont Humanities Council.

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.

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 N-400 application to USCIS. Students learn about the N-400 application process and receive support to understand the language of the application. To register, please contact Melissa Lang mlang@mercyconnections.org (802) 846-7084 or Raquel Aronhime raronhime@mercyconnections.org or (802) 846-7162.

English Language Learning (ELL) Beginning Level Class

This group class is intended for adult beginning level ELL students who are literate in reading and writing in at least one other language and who have at least some formal education in their first language. Instruction will include skill development in reading, writing, listening, and speaking as well as survival English.

English Language Learning (ELL) Beginning Level Class II

This group class is intended for adult beginning level ELL students who are literate in reading and writing in at least one other language and who have at least some formal education in their first language. Instruction will include skill development in reading, writing, listening, and speaking as well as survival English.

Vermont Community Leadership Training

Want to make a difference in your community? This program will provide you with leadership skills to help with this. Our one-of-a-kind leadership and civic experience combines exciting community-based projects with leadership and self-awareness activities for all abilities. As you participate, you will gain confidence and find your voice about the issues affecting you and your family.

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.

Fostering Hope & Strength

This course provides a safe, peaceful space for growing and learning about topics such as strength, hope, peace, gratitude, and celebration. Each session brings with it a challenge and invitation to practice the new skills between meetings. Participants are encouraged to trust and respect the group dynamic to nurture individuals’ and the group’s wellbeing.

M.A.P. – Make an Action Plan

Make an action plan to get ahead with the life you want to lead. With participant input, classes will bring in resources and guest presenters from community partners on topics such as mental and physical health, financial services and budgeting skills, news and access to technology and more. Participants will learn about SMART goals and be supported as they take steps to implement their plans and develop new skills. Class schedule: Wednesdays, April 12 - June 7 from 5:00 -6:30 pm

Understanding Search Engine Optimization (Small Business Workshop Series)

Is your website ranking well on Google? Is your search engine ranking something you should be worrying about? What can you do to change it? In this workshop we will introduce the broad strokes of search engine optimization and learn practical tips while looking at real-world small business scenarios.

Protect for the Unexpected (Small Business Workshop Series)

As business owners, we often focus on the day-to-day and year-to-year aspects of business planning, but what often gets overlooked are those risks that may be lurking for us down the road. In this interactive workshop, we are going to focus on how to prepare for a disability or illness when you are self-employed, how to plan for the bumps that will come up along the way, and how to prepare for exiting your business.

Branding 101 for Small Business (Small Business Workshop Series)

Learn how to build a compelling brand through storytelling and visuals. This workshop can be applied to an existing business or one in the works. Together, we will define your audience, your company’s story and personality and your selling proposition. You will have the tools to develop key pieces of your branding guide and will be able to receive feedback from me as well as your peers.

Intro to Crisis Communications for Small Business Owners (Small Business Workshop Series)

Learn the basics of crisis communications in this interactive workshop for small business owners. Participants will begin developing their own personalized plan for communicating with customers, staff, the community, and the media in times of crisis.

Analyzing Your Competition and Conducting Market Analysis (Small Business Workshop Series)

This is an introductory workshop intended for business owners who want to learn how to achieve market advantages by further understanding and analyzing their industry competition.

Financial Management Beyond the Budget (Small Business Workshop Series)

This seminar will assist business owners with a focus on establishing key financial pillars and data analysis needed to operate and grow your business. We will discuss topics like data analysis, projecting cash flow, identifying and defining the Key Performance Indicators for your business.

Approach Sales Effectively with Confidence to Grow Your Business and Thrive! (Small Business Workshop Series)

Addressed in this presentation are the essential steps to confidently navigate the sales conversation, be well-received by your prospects, and secure the results you desire.

Finding your Place: Real Estate, Rent, Leasing (Small Business Workshop Series)

This class will help students navigate the issues around finding a site for a business. How do you read a lease? How do you evaluate the "right" location? How do you work with a commercial Realtor and a prospective landlord?

How to Talk to Banks so they Listen (and Lend!) (Small Business Workshop Series)

Designed for small business owners who are new to lending, this workshop will help you understand how lending works and what banks are looking for when considering a loan application from a small business owner. You’ll learn the basics of how to think about lending, what information you’ll need when going to a bank, and how to feel prepared to engage with lenders for the first time.

Small Business Launch Pad

Are you looking for community and support as you start your new business? Launch Pad is a supported drop-in co-working space for folks actively working to start a new business. You’ll work alongside other entrepreneurs to take action and get support on tasks to get your business up and running. Staffed by our Director of Inclusive Entrepreneurship, get help on everything from registering your business or setting up bookkeeping software to building a marketing strategy. Interested students must schedule a chat with Claire before being enrolled (to survey needs and ensure fit for needs). cwheeler@mercyconnections.org or (802) 846-7081

English Conversation Class For Intermediate-Level Speakers

Come and improve your English conversation skills in this fun and engaging class with activities that will focus on oral communication.