Listen Community Services - Our Mission & Vision

Our Mission & Vision

Listen provides services and support to meet the critical needs of Upper Valley individuals and families.

A Note from Listen's Executive Director

The Upper Valley, consisting of vibrant towns on both sides of the Connecticut River, is unique in its diversity. We are enriched by the presence of an Ivy League College, one of the finest medical centers in New England, as well as a viewshed that is unrivaled. In a hyper-competitive national culture, we have preserved the principles that this country was founded upon.

Our citizens truly care about one another. The Upper Valley is a community of abundance. Necessities such as housing, food, warmth, mentoring and family support are not always "visible." It takes a connected community to ensure that when our neighbors are in need, we have the resources to respond. The recession is heavily impacting households that never needed to ask for assistance in the past. Listen is their safety net.

Listen does not rely on state or federal funding. We are fortunate to have generous, loyal donors, volunteers and shoppers. With your help, we can continue to meet the need.

With deepest appreciation,
Merilynn Bourne
Executive Director

Supporting the Upper Valley Since 1972

Listen envisions an Upper Valley Community generously supporting individuals and families in their efforts to achieve and maintain successful independence.

Listen was incorporated in the winter of 1972. The original purpose of the agency was to: "...involve the low-income citizens of Lebanon and surrounding areas in programs which will improve their ability to meet the economic, cultural, social and environmental needs of their families..."

For more than 30 years, the Listen Thrift Stores have made essential programs possible for countless Upper Valley residents. The stores offer huge selections at great values. Everyone is welcome to shop. Quality items are sold well below market prices and the revenues generated support Listen's Community Services and Programs.

Our grassroots non-profit has grown along with the region; adding programs like Community Dinners, Summer Camp Scholarships and "Heating Helpers," to meet emerging needs. The Board recently voted to change the public name from Lebanon In Service To Each Neighbor (LISTEN) to Listen Community Services. We also added Fairlee, West Fairlee, Bethel, Royalton, and Woodstock VT to our service area. Listen has helped people in these communities for years. We are now publicly acknowledging that fact and as we are a United Way agency, we are officially serving the same area as the Upper Valley United Way.

As we prepare for the next decade, we set our sights on developing the River Point property in White River Junction. A new facility will allow for increased revenues from our Thrift Stores, Listen's own Community Dinner Site to include food storage and a commercial kitchen as well as program space. This project will serve the Upper Valley for many years to come.

Community in Action

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TOP 10 STEPS FOR KEEPING WARM & SAFE WHILE CUTTING HEATING COSTS Read more...

Listen Thrift Stores Quality products and affordable prices. Support the Upper Valley by shopping in one of our thrift stores.
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2010 Highlights
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