Re-Imagine Johnson

In the wake of the 2023 and 2024 flooding events, the Town of Johnson invited VCRD to facilitate a process to bring together the full diversity of Johnson residents, organizations, business owners and partners in an open, inclusive dialogue to build connections, develop a self-assessment of resiliency, and identify actions for recovery and future efforts. The three-part process, facilitated by VCRD, identified actions and resources and launched task force groups to take on actions for the immediate and long-term future of the town and village. In addition, VCRD partnered with Community Resilience Organizations (CROs) to support a Community Resilience Assessment as part of a process. 

To join a group and be kept up to speed on progress, meeting times and dates, etc. see who to contact below for each group:

Food Access and Awareness -If you would like to join Food access contact Jesse Whitworth: jessecwhitworth@gmail.com, or 978-257-1697

Downtown Reconfiguration and Redevelopment If you would like to join this group, contact Adrienne Parker adiestevson@gmail.com, 314-598-7226 or Paul Warden, pwarden@townofjohnson.com, 802-371-7814.

Recreation Economic Development 

 -If you would like to join this group contact Kathy Black, kathyblack789@gmail.com, 730-3949 or Diana Osborn, djgosborn@gmail.com, 802-635-2911

College/Town Connection

 - If you would like to join this group contact Sonja Kivela, slk06150@vsc.edu, 802-557-8107

Housing - If you are interested in joining this group's contact list, email ceds@townofjohnson.com. 

Background Information on Re-Imagine Johnson:

One year after devastating flooding to much of Vermont, another storm event has caused significant damage across the state and some in Johnson.  With this stark reminder of repeated flooding events as the backdrop, plans are moving ahead for a long term flood recovery convening in Johnson that will gather input on the future, as well as hold space for community members to reflect on their current and past experiences with flood response and recovery. 

Re-Imagine Johnson is a 3-part process that brings community members together to actively participate in identifying strategies for long-term flood recovery, decide top priorities, and develop action plans for the future resilience and vitality of the town. The Vermont Council on Rural Development provides the overall structure and neutral facilitation each step of the way.

The Vermont Council on Rural Development is committed to the facilitation of community processes that are inclusive, equitable, and bring together as many voices as possible in every community we work. We strive to engage the voices, leadership, and decision-making of all community members in planning their town's future. We invite all community members, including those displaced from the July 2023 flooding, to participate with targeted outreach that includes a mailing to every resident, phone calls, flyers posted around town, local group listservs, social media channels, local TV and radio shows, and through written surveys for those that may be uncomfortable/unwilling/unable to attend community forums. Community members are invited to help broaden the reach by encouraging friends and neighbors to participate by sharing the event flyer, Facebook Event and by word of mouth!

Visit "Events" to learn more about the schedule, structure, and process.