Vermont Interfaith Action Inc.

The mission of Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA) is to transform people and communities. By developing the leadership skills and guiding Vermonters through a grassroots community organizing methodology, we achieve transformative change on issues of social justice that adversely affect low- and moderate-income persons, black/indigenous/people of color, and other marginalized individuals. Our goal is to create the hope, power, and political will necessary to make justice and compassion a reality for all Vermonters. Over the past two decades, VIA has focused on a variety of issues as they have been identified through holding listening campaigns. We have increased the number of affordable housing units and initiated local ordinances which provide incentives for the building of affordable housing in Burlington; won unprecedented amounts of financial investment in building housing statewide and in providing wrap-around support services for our unhoused neighbors; won expanded Medicaid coverage and other health care accessibility measures across the state, and been instrumental, as part of our national network, in the passage of Obamacare; improved public bus transportation for low-income Vermonters; won raising the minimum wage in 2020 and increasing it annually by either 5% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is smaller; achieved more humane and restorative practices in our prison facilities, raised the standard for corrections officers and established Vermont's first Overdose Prevention Center in Burlington; and in our biggest statewide campaign to date, won passage of a constitutional amendment which abolished slavery without exception - one of only four states to do so in 2022. VIA is a member of the Faith in Action national network.