Our Mission

JGHS has a mission to provide shelter, affordable housing, and essential services to individuals and families without a home or facing housing instability. The JGHS mission is strengthened by intensive service coordination at three critical access points—homeless prevention, housing navigation, and housing retention. With seven properties spread across Addison County, JGHS does this work in collaboration with community partners.

About JGHS

JGHS first opened its doors in 1981 offering food and shelter, mostly to single people. Over the next two decades, more families with children began to seek shelter.

Today, JGHS has a licensed clinical social worker as its program director and has expanded to include six affordable housing properties across Addison County, in addition to the John Graham Shelter in Vergennes. The agency is committed to utilizing nationally recognized, evidence-based interventions, trauma-informed care, and client-centered services including needs assessment, housing navigation, service coordination, and referral to treatment and other wrap-around services.

Who is John Graham?

John Graham (1920 – 1980) was the leader of a movement that began in the 1960s to increase the self-sufficiency of Vermonters and strengthen Vermont communities. After the State of Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity was established in 1965, John Graham devoted the rest of his life to advocating for the people of Addison County.

John Graham’s transformational work included:

· The establishment of the first Emergency Food Shelf in Vermont and the Addison County Community Action Group (ACCAG), now known as HOPE in Middlebury

· With his friend John Nutting, established Project Love, a statewide effort to reorganize society around the concept of love.

· Created multiple other organizations providing dental services, human services, financial assistance, and housing support for Addison County individuals and families in need.

The John Graham Shelter in Vergennes was established in 1981 in Graham’s memory. John Graham Housing & Services – expanded over the following 40 years to include a continuum of care across emergency shelter, six affordable housing properties, and robust case management – continues John Graham’s legacy of service today.

JGHS Board

  • Phiona Atuhaire

    Board Member
    Committee(s): Governance
    Affiliation: University of Vermont
    Member since: 2024

  • Pamela Billings

    Vice Chair
    Committee(s): Outcomes
    Affiliation: Human Resources Business Partner at K12.Inc
    Member since: 2025

  • Michael Castillo

    Board Member
    Committee(s): Finance
    Affiliation: Landmark Financial Services
    Member since: 2023

  • Hender Dye

    Board Member
    Committee(s): Outcomes
    Affiliation: ReSOURCE Burlington
    Member since: 2023

  • Sean Dye

    Chair
    Committee(s): Governance
    Affiliation: Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
    Vermont Realty Group
    Member since: 2019

  • Thomas Hark

    Board Member
    Committee(s): Finance
    Affiliation: Civilian Conservation Corps, USA
    Member since: 2024

  • Fritz Langrock

    Board Member
    Committee(s): Governance
    Affiliation: Langrock Sperry
    & Wool, LLP
    Member since: 2018

  • Nancy Larrow

    Board Member
    Committee(s): Finance
    Affiliation: Berkshire Hathaway Home Services 
    Member since: 2019

  • Chris Schembry

    Secretary
    Committee(s): Outcomes
    Affiliation: Dept of Children & Family Services, State of VT
    Member since: 2020

  • Will Vasiliou

    Board Member
    Committee(s): Finance
    Affiliation: Langrock Sperry
    & Wool, LLP
    Member since: 2020

  • Susan Whitmore

    Executive Director
    Committee(s): Finance, Governance, Outcomes