Monthly Archives: May 2018

Vermonter of the Month: The Mercy Connections “Justice League”

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This is a monthly series in which the Attorney General features Vermonters doing exemplary work in their community. Have someone you think should be featured? Email AGO.CAP@vermont.gov.

This month we are honoring a team of people as our “Vermonters of the Month.” The Mercy Connections “Justice League” team works on the Justice and Mentoring program. The team is comprised of Joanne nelson, Director of Justice & Mentoring, Kelly Moran, Justice and Mentoring Coordinator for incarcerated or formerly incarcerated women, Mary Beth Barritt, Justice Liaison and Heather Gilbert, Program Facilitator.

Mercy Connections is an educational values-driven non-profit organization living the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy with an enduring concern for women. By compassionately nurturing self-sufficiency through education, mentoring, entrepreneurship and community, people are empowered to make significant life changes

Mercy Connections has 3 program areas that serve 300 participants: Education & Transition Programs (for adults who have faced adversity in meeting their personal, professional, and academic goals), Justice & Mentoring Programs (for people involved in the criminal justice system), and the Women’s Small Business Program (for aspiring female entrepreneurs).

Joanne, Kelly, Mary Beth and Heather have all dedicated themselves to lifting those around them who need help. The “Justice League” is doing essential work for Vermont women and we are honored to have them as our May Vermonters of the Month.

How has the team’s work impacted the community?

The Justice & Mentoring Program team alternates presence in the Treatment Court Docket to be able to receive referrals to the programs at Mercy Connections. In that action, we invite the women to a meeting with the director to become acquainted and to discover whether there is a desire to enroll in a class or program. Sometimes the referred woman is also interested in becoming a mentee in the Vermont Women’s Mentoring Program. The real impact on the woman is potentially multi-faceted. It is sometimes confidence-building to just get to Mercy Connections and enter a place that is not familiar. It is also clear that women feel and learn about a community here that is non-judgmental, educative, safe and brave and in that discovery, a potential participant may grow, relax and learn. There is something connective when the participant understands that Mercy Connections can become a supportive place, connected to the clinical and legal teams in the court docket, but that Mercy Connections is different. It is not mandatory, it is chosen freely…that ability to make a choice freely, well, that is often something that leaves a referred person empowered.

Executive Director, Dolly Fleming, has said that Mercy Connections “…weaves the social fabric of community and one’s [life]” and I believe that means that the (potential) impact on community is that Mercy Connections kind of weaves some of the very difficult, mandated parts of a recovering person’s life in with some of the softer, kinder, happier threads that every human being possesses. We think that holistic approach reflects something very positive on each person and on the community as a whole.

What is the biggest challenge?

We receive referrals to Mercy Connections which are not realized. They are not chosen by prospective participants.

On a challenging day, it may be hard to look at each individual accomplishment and realize joy against a very dismal system, (criminal justice, economy, racial and gender discrimination…), one that just doesn’t work for human beings.

In general, the challenges lie within the participant population and while we strategize and work hard, sometimes the biggest challenge is accepting that we can’t do more than we do.

What is rewarding about this work?

Our programs offer education to people. Education opens up doors. Open doors and access to more people means a more diverse, just world/community.

Knowing that we are working to offer possibilities for a more successful reentry process through the Vermont Women’s Mentoring Program and hence, a lower recidivism rate.

Working with participants who are rejected in many ways by society and learning how wonderful they are. How resilient they are. And how much they have to offer. Seeing a mentee’s face when she realizes we treat her and her mentor in the same respectful manner. That we don’t judge her based on the worst mistakes she has made. Being able to support mentors, some of whom have made serious mistakes, in a way that allows them to grow and give back.

What advice do you have for others looking to impact their community?

Become a volunteer for a worthy cause- one which speaks to the values you hold most dear. The action will allow you to realize greater purpose and meaning in your life.

Travel Tips

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If it’s time for you to escape on a getaway, keep in mind that scammers love to target those with travel plans. Vacations should be relaxing. Don’t let unexpected scams and travel pitfalls stress you out! There are countless ways one can be scammed while planning travel. With all the R & R you have scheduled, don’t get bogged down worrying about scams. This mindset is what scammers rely on to bilk you of your money.

Before travel:

  • Ask details about what is included in prices and look for hidden fees
  • If booking online, verify that you are using a credible website and double-check that you are on the correct site, rather than a copycat
  • Always do your own research before accepting the word of the person engaged in selling

While on your trip:

  • If you are notified about unauthorized credit card charges, contact your credit card issuer directly by calling the number on the back of your card. You might not be checking your statement history, but your credit card company generally understands your purchasing trends and may have fraud protection in place to alert you if they suspect an issue.
  • If you are renting a vehicle, know the ins and outs of your own auto insurance coverage. The rental agency will typically offer to sell you their insurance, so be prepared for this when you step up to the reservation desk. Protect yourself further from rental accident damage fraud by photographing the vehicle with on-site identifiers in the background (this is handy if you don’t have a date feature on your camera) both at the time of the initial rental and upon return. That way, if there is a damage dispute, you have photo proof of how the vehicle appeared while in your possession.
  • Free Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi that is not password protected could be problematic. Don’t sign into your accounts while using free or unsecure Wi-Fi. Why? You don’t know who is watching your online activity. Keying your password into an account may seem harmless, but scammers tracing your steps can log into your account later and access everything. Sure, it’s nice to have free Wi-Fi, but use it to check the news or browse tourist attractions, not to do your online banking.
  • While in a foreign country, you may be asked if you would like the total to be displayed in US dollars. If you say yes, the exchange rate may not be based on the actual currency rate, but based on the rate in the retailer’s system. The retailer receives any amount you pay over the actual exchange rate and you could be charged a conversion fee as well. Credit cards convert the foreign exchange rate based on the actual currency exchange rate, which is more accurate and doesn’t favor either party. Credit cards may also charge a conversion fee, so check the card’s terms before you travel.

While traveling, you don’t have to stress every minute about the possibilities of what might happen, but it will help to keep the above scenarios in mind so that you don’t find yourself in a stressful situation.

Contributing Writer & Photo Credit: Crystal Baldwin

Small Business Loans

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There are an increasing number of commercial loans available to Vermont businesses. A number of commercial lenders offer “quick loans” or “EZ cash” via the internet (or use spam email, pop-up ads, or text messages). In some instances, the company may be soliciting commercial loans on behalf of a lender.  Here in Vermont, commercial lenders and loan solicitors are required to be licensed, or otherwise exempt from licensure AND must clearly state rates, terms, and conditions. Below is information on how to protect yourself from illegal loans.

Lender licensing

Unless it is a federally or state chartered entity, such as a bank or credit union, or a federal or state agency, a lender operating in Vermont should be licensed with the Department of Financial Regulation.* Additionally, companies soliciting loans on behalf of a lender should be licensed with the Department. You can check the licensure status of a lender or a loan solicitor online at NMLS Consumer Access.  

If the lender or loan solicitor is unlicensed, you may file a complaint with the Department of Financial Regulation. Call 802-828-3307, 888-568-4547, or email DFR.BnkConsumer@vermont.gov (for security reasons, please specify “Unlicensed Lender complaints” in the subject line).

*For additional exemptions from the lender licensing statute, see 8 V.S.A. §2201 (d), (h).

Interest rates

Under Vermont law, commercial loans are not subject to Vermont’s interest rate caps, and a commercial loan may charge any rate of interest that is negotiated between the parties. See 9 V.S.A. § 46. 

However, the rate of charge must be clearly and fully disclosed.  See 8 V.S.A. § 2225. 

A commercial lender also cannot mislead or deceive you about the rates, terms or conditions of the loan.  Misleading or deceptive advertising around a loan is illegal.  See 8 V.S.A. § 2226.

How to assure you’re getting a legal commercial loan

  • Consider using local banks and credit unions first, and check out the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Lender Match website.
  • Make sure the lender is:
    – licensed,
    – a chartered bank or credit union,
    – a state or federal agency,
    – or otherwise exempt from licensing under 8 V.S.A. § 2201 (d), (h).
  • Make sure the interest rate, terms, and conditions are clearly disclosed.
  • Avoid potential predatory practices. Beware of:
    – “Fast,” “Pre-approved,” “Easy” Loans
    – “Affordable Payments”
    – Unclear pricing and terms
    – Additional fees incorporated into the payment structure
    – Terms less than 90 days
    – Lenders that want you to wire money prior to receiving your loan
    – Lenders that guarantee loan approval but charge a fee in advance
    – Consulting fees
    – If you’ve been harmed by an unlicensed commercial lender, submit a complaint to CAP or to the Department of Financial Regulation at 888 568-4547 or DFR.BnkConsumer@vermont.gov.
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