"We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked, and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for is the greatest poverty.”
- Mother Teresa
Our Story
ANEW Place was founded in 1982 by a group of Vermonters with compassion and a deep commitment to the homeless community in Chittenden county.
It began as a safe place for people to come inside and find stability for the night. Over time, it became clear that alongside the essential role of emergency shelter, many people needed time, structure, and ongoing support to rebuild their lives in a lasting way.
In 2014, we transitioned to a structured transitional housing program and became ANEW Place, reflecting a broader vision and a more complete path forward.
In response to growing community need, we expanded our role in 2019, eventually operating one of the first year-round, 24/7 low-barrier shelters in Vermont during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over four years, we provided more than 61,000 shelter bed nights, served over 1,200 individuals, and helped provide more than 80,000 meals alongside volunteers and community partners.
In 2023, we transitioned operations of the Champlain Inn to a community partner, allowing us to refocus on our core transitional housing program and long-term model of care.
Today, we operate a 20-bed residential program in Burlington’s Old North End. Our four-phase continuum of care provides a clear path from stability to employment and permanent housing, followed by up to two years of aftercare support.
We remain committed to helping each person move forward with stability, connection, and the support it takes to start anew.