Donate to UCS Donate to UCS We are here for the community. Will you be here for us? Give Now Your Gift Helps People Live Better Lives Those we serve are at the heart of everything we do – helping people to grow, develop, recover, and lead the best lives possible. We welcome your donations to our General Fund or, if there is a program you particularly want to support, to a specific fund described below. With your help we can continue to provide services, educate, and reduce stigma in our community. Learn more about our funds below. Quick Links Our Impact Our Funds Planned Giving Ways to Donate Our Programs Make an Impact Our Fiscal Year Goal Help us raise $100,000 this fiscal year! Give Now Our Impact 73% Increase in clients receiving equine services over the past year. 63% Reduction in staffing vacancies from 2022 to 2023. 92% Of clients report UCS services they received were the right services for them. 97% Of clients report that staff treated them with respect. Our Funds Your donation can support our General Fund, to be used where it’s needed most, or a specific fund. With your help we can continue to provide services, educate the public, and reduce stigma in our community: General Fund Donations to our General Fund will be used to support an area or program where it is most needed. UCS provides outpatient counseling and addictions service, emergency mental health services, extensive rehabilitation services, home and school-based services, and employment services for people living with a mental illness or with developmental disabilities. Charlie’s Fund Charles “Charlie” Goodwin was a hardworking young man who held down several jobs at once and whose love of animals inspired him to volunteer at the local Second Chance Animal Shelter. Charlie’s Fund supports efforts to raise awareness of the importance of well-being while reducing the stigma often associated with seeking treatment. The fund helps make possible programming and education designed to fight stigma and support understanding—people with mental health conditions are not alone. Erin Skaar Memorial Fund Erin cared deeply about both the two- and four-legged residents of Bennington County. Those who knew and loved her would say, “She would care for any critter that crossed her path in need of love and nurturing.” Erin extended her heart to others, and her memorial fund will carry out her wish to help alleviate suffering. Contributions will be used to facilitate a way out for those in violent relationships, improve advocacy for children, enable participation in equine-assisted psychotherapy, and conduct outreach to the greater Bennington community. Gregory S. Hillman Fund Gregory S. Hillman was a spirited young man, a highly accomplished musician and athlete who attended Reed College and was always there for friends in need. The Gregory S. Hillman Fund supports youth suicide prevention initiatives including providing Youth Mental Health First Aid training and additional youth suicide prevention programs at no cost to the community. Corporate Sponsorships United Counseling Service has numerous opportunities including event and program sponsorships for businesses and organizations. To learn more, please contact Heidi French at 802-442-5491 ext. 281 or hfrench@ucsvt.org. Planned Giving Planned giving is the process of making a significant charitable gift during a donor’s life or at death as part of their financial or estate plan. Planned giving helps support worthy causes (like the work we do here at UCS). At the same time, planned giving can be useful in helping donors make more substantial gifts while addressing their own financial needs over time. For individuals who want to make a lasting impact on UCS and the communities we serve, planned giving may offer the perfect opportunity. Download UCS Planned Giving Brochure For more information, please contact Heidi French at 802-442-5491 ext. 281 or hfrench@ucsvt.org. If you have already included UCS in your financial and/or estate plans, please let us know so that we may be sure to express our gratitude for your foresight and generosity. Ways to Donate There are many ways to give to UCS. Choose from one of these options, or call our Development Director, Heidi French: (802) 442-5491 ext. 281 Make a Donation Donate Online Call to Donate Donate By Mail United Counseling ServiceHeidi French, Director of Community Relations and DevelopmentPO Box 588Bennington, VT 05201 Volunteer Volunteers are integral to our organization. If you are interested in volunteering at United Counseling Service, please call (802) 442-5491. Learn More About Our Programs Children, Youth & Family Services Community Rehab & Emergency Services Developmental Services Emergency Services Head Start & Early Head Start Outpatient Mental Health & Substance Abuse Psychiatric Services Annual Reports Explore our most recent annual reports, including the 2024 Online Annual Report Learn More