The Howard Center is offering a free Summer Community Education Series event, Advancing Community Health and Public Safety Together, on Thursday, August 22, 2025, from 9:00–11:00 a.m. at the Contois Auditorium in Burlington.

Designed for downtown businesses, Marketplace vendors, and community members, the session will cover:

Howard Center Service Overview – Learn about Street and Community Outreach, First Call for Chittenden County, and the Mental Health Urgent Care.

De-escalation Training – Practical skills to manage tense situations with empathy, respect, and safety.

Safe Syringe Disposal – How to identify, handle, and dispose of discarded syringes while protecting personal and public safety.

Presenters include Beth Holden, Molly Linnell, Mark Margolis, and Bill Ward, bringing expertise in crisis response, public safety, and harm reduction. No registration is required, and resources will be available for attendees.

For details, call 802-488-6535 or visit howardcenter.org.