Volunteer Of The Week - Carol Vallett

Carol Vallett - Photo to follow

BETH GLASPIE

United Way of Chittenden County

For years Carol Vallett of Fairfax would see the same ad in the newspaper seeking mentors for women in transition and think to herself, “I wish I had the time for that. Maybe someday.” Well, that someday finally arrived for her four years ago when she made a change to her professional life that brought some free time into her schedule.

Vallett became a mentor with the Vermont Women’s Mentoring Program at Mercy Connections, an educational, values- driven nonprofit organization based in Burlington that seeks to empower individuals to improve their lives. The program is a collaborative effort along with Vermont Works for Women and the Vermont Department of Corrections. It focuses on women in transition, whether that be re-entering the community after incarceration or another significant life change.

Vallett, who’s had a diverse career and is now consulting and teaching in the field of technology, said she became an advocate of supporting women who are trying to improve their lives about 20 years ago when she entered the field of education. She said she appreciates the organization’s notion of “radical hospitality,” whereby all who cross their threshold are welcomed and valued.

Presently Vallett mentors two mentees. She and her mentee will sometimes meet for coffee or to take a walk or even attend a craft fair. The activity is secondary. Most important is the friendly ear and compassionate, non-judgmental presence that Vallett says she strives to provide. She shared that being a mentor has helped her realize “how much we all need supportive friends to give advice and help us make connections.” Indeed, Vallett said that it gives her a feeling of personal satisfaction knowing that she is helping another woman grow by helping her look at the world in a different way, from a different perspective, and by providing connections that could be useful to her.

Vallett is in her second year serving as a board member at Mercy and is co-chairing the committee that’s planning its annual May luncheon. Marissa Strayer-Benton, of Mercy Connections, said of Vallett’s contributions: “Carol offers true leadership, organization and dedication to our mission and the work we do each day.”