DISMAS OF VERMONT INC

To reduce the recidivism rate of all Residents.

To increase the success transition rate of all Residents from Dismas House to permanent stable housing.

To increase the employment rate of all Residents.

To increase the percentage of Residents who stay with Dismas more than 3 months. (We have found a significant increase in success with the above goals once an individual successfully stays with Dismas for at least 3 months.)

Our core strategy for success is being a participant in a resident's reconciliation process with their community and themselves. Dismas does this through volunteerism in the community, our volunteer cook program and family style life at the house.

In addition to this we start the conversation early on recovery, housing and employment. Our committed volunteer base is instrumental in ensure we are providing the highest level of support for our residents.

The Dismas of Vermont owns one house in Burlington, Rutland and Hartford Vermont. Dismas leases an
additional house in Winooski Vermont. Each house has been renovated and is updated through our
capital improvements policy to ensure safety and a blight free home. Residents have access to plenty of
community space, and enjoy their own space as well. In addition to the above each house maintains
equipment needed to help residents work towards employment, permanent housing and many volunteer
and team building activities.
The Dismas of Vermont Volunteer Board consists of Vermont professionals from each of the communities
a Dismas House operates. The Board is responsible for all governance and programing approval. Each
Dismas House maintains a local Volunteer Council who are responsible for committee work that supports
the house in its community.
Key Staff:
Jim Curran's (Executive Director) 9 years experience in non-profit management includes many senior
level leadership roles focusing on multi-sight operations, efficiencies, and program growth and
improvements. In addition he has added trauma informed practices to residential programs resulting in
increased mission fulfillment and performance.
Richard Gagne (Winooski House Director and Program Manager) was a member of the planning group in
Burlington that worked together with Fr. Jack Hickey OP, who was the founder of the original Dismas
organization in Nashville TN. He opened our first Vermont Dismas House in the fall of 1986 and was the
first House Director. Since then he has taken on many roles and is the Program Manager and trainer for
all new House Directors.
Jeff Backus (Hartford House Director) was a correctional officer that moved through the ranks to
supervisor from 2008 – 2017, and completed a Bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Administration. Jeff was
hired as Assistant House Director position in 2018, and was promoted to House Director shortly after.
Kimberly Parsons (Burlington House Director) graduated from The University of Vermont. Prior to
graduation she participated in some volunteer aid work in Central America. After graduating Kimberly
7 / 16
was a freelance photojournalist in Central America during the Contra Sandinista War and later worked
with Salvadoran and Nicaraguan refugees for UNHCR. After returning to the states in 1990 she started
working for Burlington Dismas House. Kimberly has 20 years experience with former inmates and the
successful Dismas Model.
Eric Maguire (Rutland House Director) has a Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology and Religion, graduate
studies in Human Services / Criminal Justice. Eric possesses over twelve years of experience directing
reentry housing programs, assisted in the development and implementation of a men’s and women’s
reentry housing programs, and working with individuals with substance miss-use and mental health
disorders.

Dismas of Vermont uses a Results Based Accountability

Number of Unique Individuals* 84
Number of Men/Women* M: 69 W: 13
Approximate Number of Bed Nights 12,629 (calculated)
Number of Evening Meals w/ Volunteer Cooks 941
Number of House Social Activities 192
Number of House Volunteer Activities 32
Total Community Volunteer Hours 6,179
Bed Utilization Rate 82%
% of Evening Meals w/ Volunteer Cooks 90%
% of Program Fees Collected Compared To Amount Possible 92%
% of Residents Who Stayed a Minimum of Three Months* 60%
% of Residents Who Didn’t Violate a House Rule* 46%
% Who Were Not Arrested for a New Offense* 92%
Successful Transition Rate* 64%
% of residents Who Were Employed* 74%

Dismas is currently evaluating the above metrics, and we will be adding to the list in the coming years.