Upper Valley Vermont Welcome Wagon Project

Help Upper Valley newcomers connect to the community

Are you new to the Upper Valley and still finding your way around? Or are you an established resident who could help that newcomer? The Upper Valley Chapter of the Vermont Welcome Wagon Project wants you!

The program matches new and returning residents (“Participants”) with established residents (“Hosts”) who share their interests and can help them connect to the community. With a newly opened chapter here in the Upper Valley, this program is seeking Participants and Hosts on both sides of the Connecticut River. All adults are eligible to participate.

The Upper Valley chapter of the Vermont Welcome Wagon Project is coordinated by Vital Communities, and advised by the Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation, the Space on Main, and the Upper Valley Young Professionals.

Be a Participant

Are you new to the Upper Valley? Do you want to know some good hiking spots, where to find farmstands or hidden local gems? By signing up for this program you will be connected with up to three local Hosts. The Hosts will reach out to the chapter coordinator to be introduced to you. Together you can schedule a meeting in a safe and mutually convenient location. This could entail grabbing a coffee or touring main street. These meetings offer the perfect opportunity to get to know the ins and outs of your new community and to ask questions of a neighbor.

Be a Host

Are you an Upper Valley local? Do you want to meet new neighbors and share your Upper Valley knowledge with new and returning individuals? By volunteering as a host you will be sent an email newsletter every two weeks that lists the new community members that signed up for the Welcome Wagon Project along with their town and interests. You let us know if there is someone that you want to reach out to and we’ll make the email introduction. Our goal is to have each new neighbor be connected with three hosts so that they feel extra-welcomed to the Upper Valley.

Community Guidelines

Be Safe

All hosts and participants should take ownership over their personal safety and should never put themselves or others in danger. Decide on a mutually convenient and safe meeting place. Depending on your comfort level it could be in-person or virtual.

Be Kind

We trust that hosts and participants are participating in the program with the best of intentions. We ask that any bullying, harassment, exploitation, and acts of hate be reported to the Upper Valley Welcome Wagon Coordinator.

Be Respectful

Hosts and participants should respect each other’s time, attention, personal choices, personal boundaries and personal privacy.

Be Real

Welcome Wagon participants should represent real people in a local area. We ask that the information included on your signup form be honest and authentic.

Because Vital Communities does not supervise or control Vermont Welcome Wagon Project (VWWP) interactions, you agree that you bear all risk and you agree to release us (and our officers, directors, employees, affiliates, subsidiaries, and third-party partners) from claims, demands, and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature arising out of or in any way connected with your use of VWWP. You further waive any and all rights and benefits otherwise conferred by any statutory or non-statutory law of any jurisdiction that would purport to limit the scope of a release or waiver.

Upper Valley Welcome Coordinator

Leona Bergman-Gaul

Events and Communications Coordinator

Leona joined Vital Communities in January of 2022 as the Events and Communications Coordinator. Previously, Leona worked at Cedar Circle…