Thomas Franco was an aspiring doctor when he realized that his real passion was policy. While a premed student at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, Franco volunteered at a free health clinic outside of Cleveland. Talking to the patients helped him recognize the societal inequities that lead to poverty and, in turn, poor health outcomes. It was just like this moment where I realized,
OK, if I m going to make a difference, and I am going to change the narrative here, I have to dig deeper, Franco said. That change in direction ultimately helped lead 25-year-old Franco to Rutland, where he lives with his partner, George Hodulik. A first-time candidate, Franco is one of 17 people including three incumbents running for six at-large seats on the city s board of aldermen.
Wed, 02/10/2021 - 3:48am tim
Vermont Business Magazine LIFT (Locally Impacting the Future Together) has reached a significant donation milestone this year with more than $50,000 donated to local organizations. Over the last three years, LIFT has grown from a desire to bring women together to do something positive and impactful to over twenty members making a difference in the Greater Burlington, Vermont community.
This year, LIFT donated $13,487 to KidSafe Collaborative, the only independent Chittenden County, Vermont agency focused solely on keeping the community working together to prevent and address child abuse and neglect.
Alexandra Clauss and Shireen Hart founded LIFT Giving Circle in 2017 because they wanted to harness the generosity and energy of the women in their community to help local groups with their missions.