Join us!

Our office hosts numerous programs and events for on- and off-campus students. Have an idea for a program that you think our office can collaborate on? Reach out to us! Every program hosted by our office was created by a student or neighbor. We would love to hear about what you have in mind.

Community Development Events

Childcare Mingler

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Interested in babysitting? At this community event, families in need of sitters get a chance to meet and mingle with UVM students that want to babysit. Over 200 people typically join us for this event each semester! Sign up for the Babysitter Mingler notification list.

Screenshot of a UVM News article about the Childcare Mingler.

Read more about the Childcare Mingler via UVM News

Neighborhood Grant Program

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Do you have an idea for a project that would benefit students and non-student neighbors on your street? Our office can provide you with a grant of up to $500 to help make it happen! Past projects have included community gardens, block parties, neighborhood clean-ups, and community art projects. Email us (oscr@uvm.edu) with what you have in mind!

Catamount Classes

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UVM students display the felted soap bars they made during a Catamount Class.

In partnership with Campus Programs, University Program Board, UVM Dining, City Market and other friends we host a series of free, fun, non-academic classes and workshops on topics that range from basic bicycle maintenance to learning conflict resolution skills to felted soap bar making (pictured above). Check out our social media channels for updates each semester!

A group of people standing with shovels preparing a greenbelt garden spot.

ISGOOD: Isham Street Gardening and Other Optimistic Doings

The Isham Street Gardening and Other Optimistic Doings (ISGOOD) neighborhood group has become a catalyst for positive change on Isham Street. Their innovation, collaboration, and sustained commitment to relationship-building has helped to create a more vibrant and connected community.

Collaborative Events

Neighborhood Clean-Ups

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Group of students posing with the trash they collected during a neighborhood clean-up.

Each semester, the Student Government Association organizes a community clean-up - one after Halloween, and another after St. Patrick's Day. With over 100 volunteers cleaning up 35 Burlington streets and neighborhoods, these days of service always make an impact! Smaller volunteer groups connect with our office on a regular basis to do neighborhood clean-ups, too. Think your street could use some love, or have a volunteer group that's looking for a new project? Send an email to oscr@uvm.edu.

Community Coalition

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Alongside SGA senators from the Committee on Community and Legislative Affairs, OSCR hosts a monthly meeting for students, neighbors, city and university staff and administrators, police officers, non-profit partners, and others to identify and discuss neighborhood challenges so that they can create opportunities for action in our shared community. Send us an email (oscr@uyvm.edu) if you'd like to get involved!

Spring Move Out Project (SMOP)

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Burlington's largest community swap, donate, recycle, and trash event! Each May, you can join staff from our office, the City of Burlington, Burlington Electric Department, Chittenden Solid Waste District, ReSOURCE, and Casella Waste Systems as we collect furniture and household goods to donate or swap for free, or to dispose of for a small fee. One site is located on lower Buell Street, while the other is on lower Loomis Street - find more details about SMOP.

SMOP 2022

SMOP: Spring Move Out Project

SMOP is an annual collaboration between UVM, local organizations, the City of Burlington, and Champlain College. Aimed to assist students in managing unwanted items during the move-out process, this multi-day event diverts thousands of pounds of material from the landfill, including mattresses!

More about SMOP

Outreach and Education

Welcome to the Neighborhood

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Slideshow of students at "Welcome to the Neighborhood" events from 2022-2024
Slideshow of the Fall neighborhood event.

Each fall we pair a Ben & Jerry's ice cream truck with our "Welcome to the Neighborhood" reusable canvas bags filled with housewarming gifts (including the ever appreciated oven mitt). It is an opportunity to talk about how things are going, get referrals to resources, and get to know each other.

Pop-up Events

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Slideshow of various carved pumpkins entered into OSCR Halloween contest.

Whether it is a pumpkin decorating contest, snow shoveling parties, or hot cocoa and sledding we are always planning something to be in community in Burlington's many neighborhoods.

Off-Campus Living Workshops and Tabling

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Our Off-Campus Living Workshops provide an opportunity for UVM students to learn everything they need to know about moving into an apartment. This 90-minute workshop features speakers from the Burlington Police Department, Code Enforcement, Vermont Tenants, and a local landlord. Attendees receive a preferred renter's card and a letter that explains the program to prospective landlords, which can give then an edge when it comes to landing their dream apartment. And, an online version of the workshop will be launching soon.

Cookies in the Library

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Slideshow of middle schoolers giving out cookies to UVM students in the library from 2011-2023.
Slideshow of Edmunds Middle School students giving out cookies to UVM students in the library.

Every year we partner with Edmunds Middle School students to decorate and package hundreds of cookies that we give out during end of semester exams in the spring. The message on the bag reads, "Good luck with finals and thanks for being a part of our community! From your (small) neighbors".

Cooking Classes

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Slideshow of cooking classes participants from 2019-2023

In partnership with our wonderful friends at UVM Dining and UVM Extension's Enhanced Food and Nutrition Education Program we co-host a 4-week class series to help off-campus students gain culinary, budgetary, and food safety knowledge. Our cohort model also helps participants meet other off-campus students to increase social supports in neighborhoods.

People sledding down a hill in Schmanska Park.

OEENC: Old East End Neighborhood Coalition

We have partnered with OEENC from the beginning because as they note on their website - "The Old East End Neighborhood Coalition is dedicated to building community, preserving history, and enhancing livability. Join us and be part of the story!"

OEENC