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Personal Growth
Personal Growth
Programs to Inspire Confidence and Balance
Participants find their core strengths and make positive changes that can transform their lives.
Supportive Classes in a Healing Environment
All of our personal growth programs give people a sense of belonging and validation. Participants are always treated with respect and kindness so that they may learn, cultivate inner strengths and find purpose.
All programs are free and are open to any student, aged 18+.
Questions? Call us at (802) 846-7063 and we’ll tell you more. We can help you find the right class that meets your needs right now.
See below for class descriptions and further information and sign up today. All classes are held in person at Mercy Connections unless otherwise noted. Classes are listed in date order according to when they begin.
Description: Participants may sign up for three to six one-on-one sessions with the Personal Growth Coordinator, Heather Gilbert, to prepare for or build upon the concepts taught within personal growth programming.
Participants will create specific goals and set up a plan for self-assessment with their instructor.
Date: Thursdays, September 19-December 12
Time: By appointment, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Instructor: Heather Gilbert
How to Register: Contact Heather by email, or call 802-846-7294
Limited spots available. A waitlist will be maintained if needed. To register after the deadline please contact Heather.
Description: An engaging support group for men and male-identifying persons. Participants will learn from one another as they explore circumstances, experiences and goals over the course of the semester.
This program is intended for participants to grow skills in building supportive relationships with other men to challenge and sustain one another, work through personal goals and life transitions and learn how to show up consistently for themselves and others.
Date: Mondays, September 16 - December 09
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Facilitator: Michael Hechmer
How to Register: Register online by clicking the button below or contact Raquel by email, or call 802-846-7162
Registration Deadline: September 16
Description: In this class, participants will practice public speaking skills in a safe and supporting setting among peers. Participants will learn about basic concepts and tools to help address nerves, organize a talk and more. Participants will also be expected to prepare brief presentations and apply what they learn.
Date: Wednesdays, September 18 - November 20
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Instructor: Heather Gilbert
How to Register: Sign up online by clicking the button below or contact Heather by email, or call 802-846-7294
Description: This class is designed for native English readers, writers and speakers, as well as advanced-level ELL students. Participants will read and discuss “Gather,” a novel written by Vermont educator and author, Kenneth M. Cadow. It is the story of Ian, a teenage boy struggling to help his mother who s trying to overcome her addiction to opioids. Students will read 30 pages per week for homework, and in-class discussions will center around themes of rural life, resilience, class differences, addiction and recover, and the power of community.
Each week, students will be expected to produce one piece of writing chosen from the list of prompts. In class, they will share their writings and provide feedback to peers with the goal of helping one another become stronger writers. “Gather” was chosen as the Vermont Reads 2024 Book of the Year by Vermont Humanities. Books are provided free of charge, thanks to the generosity of Vermont Humanities.
Date: Thursdays, September 19 - December 12
Time: 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Instructors: Melissa Lang & Peter Burns
How to Register: This class is currently FULL. To be added to the waitlist, please email/call Melissa at 802-846-7084
Registration Deadline: September 11
Description: Circle is a supportive experience where people can take time to reflect on peace, hope and healing. Participants find renewal and gain strength as they listen to and talk about experiences. This is a special time to feel part of a nurturing community and imagine new possibilities.
This program does require registration, but participants are not required to attend every session.
Date: Thursdays, September 19-December 12
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Facilitator: Sr. Ann Duhaime, RSM
How to Register: Click the button below to register online, or contact Heather Gilbert at 802-846-7294Sign Up for Circle
Date: Mondays, September 16-November 18
Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Instructor: Heather Gilbert
Description: Read an inspiring short novel about resilience, working together, and survival to prompt reflection about these themes in their your own life.
"Two Old Women," by Velma Wallis is based on Athabascan legend, and tells the story of two Indigenous women who are left in the wilderness to survival. Class participants will identify parallels and strengths in their own lives to find tools for living, problem solving, and building community.
Registration: Select the button below to register online, or contact Heather by email, or call 802-846-7294
Date: Wednesdays, December 04 and 11
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Instructor: Heather Gilbert
Description: In this six-hour workshop that lasts three weeks, participants will learn how to welcome new possibilities by setting their mind toward growth and change.
Additionally, participants will be tasked with developing meaningful goals and strategizing how to navigate obstacles toward them. Through group discussions and creative activities, participants will ultimately develop a vision and plan for making progress in 2025.
How to Register: Sign up online by clicking the button below, or contact Heather by email, or call 802-846-7294
Date: Thursdays, September 19 - December 12
Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Facilitators: Heather Gilbert & Vicky Tamas
Registration: Register online by clicking the button below or call/email Heather at 802-846-7294
Registration Deadline: September 18
Limited spots are available - a waitlist will be maintained if needed
Description: Crafters and makers are supported in a co-working environment to develop and create products to sell at craft and art fairs, including Mercy Connections' own "Mercy Marketplace" fair that takes place in November, 2024.
Participants work one-on-one with instructors to design and create products, hone time and project management skills and set sales goals for vending opportunities that they wish to pursue.
Date: Tuesdays, September 17-December 10
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Instructor: Heather Gilbert & Jacob Cribbs
Description: This course is for artists and crafters who have dreamed of selling their work. In this 13-week vendor training program, participants will apply project management skills to explore how to sell products to the public.
Students will learn how to assess the market for products and discover what makes their work unique. They will also learn how to create a budget, price products, how to work with customers and handle money.
The class includes a field trip to the Old Mill Craft shop at the Snowflake Bentley Museum on October 29th, and culminates in a marketplace experience held at Mercy Connections on November 23rd.
Registration: Select the button below to register online, or contact Heather Gilbert by email, or call 802-846-7294
Registration Deadline: September 18
“I received so much positive, encouraging support. I gained a vision of what’s important to me and what I want to bring into and have in my life.”
- ‘Developing Self’ class participant