Deb Quirk, Senior Vice President with M&T Bank (left), presents a check for $30,000 to CCN-RMHS Street Outreach team members Angela French and Mieshau Phillips (middle). They were joined by Hillary Ward, RMHS Director of Adult Services (first from left), Dick Courcelle, CCN Chief Executive Officer (second from right) and Kathleen Schirling, Vice President and Senior Regional Program Officer with The M&T Charitable Foundation (right). The grant was used, in combination with additional community donations, to purchase a dedicated vehicle to support the work of the Street Outreach program which provides essential assistance to homeless and at-risk individuals throughout Rutland County.
Vermont Business Magazine Community Care Network – Rutland Mental Health Services (CCN-RMHS) today announced receipt of a $30,000 grant from The M&T Charitable Foundation which has been used, in combination with additional donor support, to acquire a dedicated program vehicle for CCN-RMHS’ Street Outreach program.
“We are incredibly grateful for the tremendous support from The M&T Charitable Foundation, as well as donors throughout the area, for our Street Outreach initiative,” said Hillary Ward, Director of Adult Services with CCN-RMHS. “Since its inception, the Street Outreach team has provided essential assistance to hundreds of at-risk individuals throughout Rutland County, and with demand for service continuing to rise, having a dedicated program vehicle will ensure that the team can continue to meet community need moving forward.”
Launched in 2023 in response to staggering growth in Rutland County’s homeless population, the CCN-RMHS Street Outreach team engages with individuals throughout the community, including on the street, at homeless encampments and at community meal sites, and helps them access essential resources such as food, clothing, housing and key supplies. The team also works to connect individuals with additional supports including mental health and substance use treatment, medical services and transportation.
Since its inception, the Street Outreach initiative has provided direct service and support to over 225 individuals and made over 1,600 points of contact with at-risk individuals.
“At M&T Charitable Foundation, we are committed to investing in solutions that meet people where they are, especially those facing complex challenges related to homelessness, mental health and substance use,” said Kathleen Schirling, Vice President and Senior Regional Program Officer with The M&T Charitable Foundation. “Our $30,000 investment in Rutland Mental Health Services will help equip the Street Outreach Team with a dedicated vehicle, improving safety for staff and expanding their ability to deliver critical resources directly to individuals in need. By supporting this essential, community-based work, we are proud to help ensure more people can access care, connect to services, and take meaningful steps toward stability and well-being.”
Additional supporters of CCN-RMHS’ Street Outreach initiative include Oliver Subaru, Vermont County Store, Vermont Electric Power Company, Bank of Bennington, Hand Carved By Ernie and Carpet King of Vermont.
About Community Care Network: CCN is comprised of Rutland Mental Health Services and Rutland Community Programs. The programs of Community Care Network serve more than 3,500 people each year throughout Rutland County across the areas of mental health, developmental disabilities, substance use recovery, senior and volunteer, and early childhood education services. CCN is focused on enhancing the health and well-being of those it serves through responsive, innovative and collaborative services that offer support across the lifespan.
8.4.2026. Rutland, Vt. – Community Care Network. www.rmhsccn.org.