Building Skills and Confidence: Trailblazers at CRCF

There’s a new bench in the recreation yard at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility (CRCF).  

The memorial bench was the culminating project of a Trailblazers trades training program offered by Vermont Works for Women (VWW) inside the facility. Over five sessions, four cohort members learned measuring, materials, tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), plan reading, and basic carpentry. Participants then applied their new skills on build day.  

In-Facility Instruction  

With limited access to tools and materials, VWW staff got creative with their lesson planning. To practice measuring both lengths and angles, participants used tape measures and speed squares on 8-foot pieces of butcher paper rather than lumber. Working on paper let everyone visualize the cuts that would be needed during the build day. 

“We have seen the powerful impact our Trailblazers program has on participants’ lives, career paths, and communities. We were excited to bring an adapted version into the facility and offer participants the opportunity to build confidence and foundational trade skills,” shared Megg Dulude, VWW’s Senior Manager for Career Training and Exploration. 

More than a bench 

For the women in the cohort, the project offered something rare: access to skilled-trades training that has been very limited or unavailable to them at CRCF. It also gave them a foundation for exploring employment and apprenticeship pathways after release. 

“The women showed tremendous dedication, teamwork, and pride throughout the project,” said VWW Justice Services Manager Jennifer Hill. “We hope their success will help open the door for similar opportunities for other women in the future.” 

One participant said, “I’ve learned about communication, hard work, and organizational skills.” Another thanked VWW and Trailblazers for “helping me improve areas of myself that I hadn’t in a long time.” 

Overall, the cohort was a successful example of how hands-on workforce development programming can support skill-building, collaboration, and re-entry preparation. 

About VWW’s Work at CRCF 

Since 2001, VWW has been a contracted service provider for the Vermont Department of Corrections, offering programs in the women’s facility. Our goal is to help participants build work and life skills, make plans for their futures, and develop the foundation for sustainable, well-paying jobs after they return to the community. 

Our programs are gender- and trauma-responsive, meaning they are designed around the specific experiences and needs of justice-involved women. Learn more about our in-facility programming. 

Questions? Contact Jennifer at jhill@vtworksforwomen.org