by Sharon Lifschutz, Lund’s Director of Development & Communications
“Strong families create stronger communities.”
It’s a phrase I say often in my work at Lund, a statewide nonprofit serving Vermonters since 1890. Headquartered right here in South Burlington, Lund helps strengthen families so that children can thrive. Whether it’s through adoption, mental health and substance use treatment, or parent-child support services, we walk alongside Vermont families during some of the most vulnerable, powerful moments of their lives.
As a mom, a nonprofit professional, and a South Burlington Business Association (SBBA) board member, I care deeply about the future of Vermont. Because the truth is, we can’t have a strong economy without strong families. For businesses to thrive here, families need to thrive, too.
But we have some serious challenges. Vermont has the lowest fertility rate in the country. School enrollment continues to decline, which drives up per-pupil costs and puts pressure on public systems. If we want to attract and retain young families in this state, we need to think differently. We need to evolve.
And yes—I get it. “Growth” has become a scary word. It can feel like tension, loss, or even just one more thing in an already fast-moving world. Change fatigue is real. But so is the opportunity that comes with change. We get to ask better questions. We get to rethink what’s possible.
That’s why I joined the SBBA. Over my time on the board, I’ve seen how deeply our members care about the future of South Burlington—and Vermont as a whole. We believe that what happens in our city has ripple effects across the region. We believe in community, in connection, and in the power of working together.
Just look at City Center: a bold, growing vision of what it means to build a place where people can live, work, and play. SBBA is about fostering that kind of progress—inclusive, community-oriented, forward-thinking.
So here’s my call to action:
To business leaders: Get to know the organizations and families shaping our future. Support them. Invest in them.
To policymakers: Keep families at the center of your decisions. Growth doesn’t have to mean giving something up. It can mean building something better.
To South Burlington residents: Show up. Stay curious. Engage in conversations that may feel hard, but that lead us somewhere new.
At Lund, I get to see what’s possible when families have the support they need. When parents in recovery find stability. When children find their forever homes. When community wraps around people who need it.
Let’s bring that same energy to how we grow as a city and a state. Let’s build communities where everyone—families, businesses, and neighbors alike—can thrive.
Because strong families create stronger communities. And that impacts us all.
