About BPI
BPI has highly trained staff selected for their dedication, compassion and commitment to the needs of older persons and younger adults with disabilities. We have an excellent staff to participant ratio for personalized attention.
Our professional staff include an Executive Director/Certified Activity Consultant, a Registered Nurse/Health Coordinator and Membership Coordinator/Licensed Practical Nurse, Social Worker/Family Support, Licensed Nursing Assistants, Activity Coordinator, Activity Assistants, a Transportation Coordinator, Van Drivers, Students and Volunteers. We also have a Physician Consultant, a Registered Dietician Consultant and access to Specialized Therapy Consultants as needed.
“Our area is blessed to have such a wonderful facility with a staff of so many caring people…”
BPI’s Journey to a New Home on Harwood Hill
The Dr. Richard A. Sleeman Center
Bennington Project Independence, Adult Day Service was given an exceptionally generous gift of $2.5 million by Mrs. Lillian Sleeman Seward, in memory of her brother, Dr. Richard Alexander Sleeman, who passed away on May 6, 2006 in Bennington, VT. This gift was pivotal in realizing the dream of a new and expanded Adult Day Center for BPI.
The Dr. Richard A. Sleeman Center, which opened March 23, 2009, combines the historically significant 1783 Zechariah Harwood Farmstead with energy efficient and green technology and state-of-the-art healthcare innovations.
In giving the gift in loving memory of her brother, Mrs. Seward said her brother had a special fondness for the elderly and younger people with disabilities that may need extra care and socialization in their lives. If he were alive today, he would be very proud and thankful that this was done in his memory.
We are exceptionally grateful to Mrs. Lillian Sleeman Seward for her extraordinary generosity and vision that helped make the Dr. Richard A. Sleeman Center possible and helped create a legacy that will serve the community for generations to come.
Read About our Journey to Harwood Hill
Bennington Project Independence began in the basement of the Baptist Church when the local Elderly Action Committee, a group of local long term care providers, saw the need for an option to traditional nursing home care for some people potentially at risk of placement. With a grant from the State of Vermont’s Independence Fund, Bennington Project Independence was created.
BPI later moved to the Senior Citizens Service Center, a shared facility at 124 Pleasant in Bennington, which we very quickly out grew. BPI had been searching for a home to call its own for almost 20 years.
In 2004, BPI purchased the severely blighted 5.3 acre Zechariah Harwood farmstead. The owner at the time, Mr, Henry De La Pena believed in BPI’s mission so much that he gifted back half the cost of the property to our organization and our new home was born.
Architect Gary Corey and Lisa Rusate from Centerline Architects worked with Linda Wichlac, BPI Executive Director, Project Manager Christopher Cole from Cole Co. Elizabeth Brawley from Design Concepts Unlimited and MacDonald-
Our Capital Campaign “From a Historic Past to a Caring Future” raised the additional funds needed through very generous donations, tremendous grassroots support as well as exceptional Federal and State support, diverse private foundation and grant funding to complete Phase One of the Dr. Richard A. Sleeman Center.
Our “housewarming” in 2009 was attended by almost 400 people.
Board Members
Linda Putney, President
Carol Harrington, Vice President
William Deveneau, Treasurer
Stephanie Savage, Secretary
Andy Beckerman, Director
Arunas Budnikas, Director
Kathleen Cichanowski, Director
Elizabeth Hardesty, Director
Rep. Mary Morrissey, Director
Allan Sullivan, Director
BPI Staff 2019
Staff Members
Linda Wichlac, Executive Director, Activity Consultant, Certified
Gina Anzivino, Membership Coordinator
Sue Auclair, Foyer Greeter
Jane Bisson-Borden, Licensed Practical Nurse/Health Coordinator Asst.
Chelsey Bodenstab, Nutrition Coordinator
Nancy Burgess, Activity Assistant
Linda Corey, Housekeeping
Stephanie Corey, Nutrition Aide
Robin Dane, Administrative Assistant
CJ Dufresne, Nutrition Assistant
George Gates, Van Driver/Facility Mgr
Maureen Kelly, Administrative Coordinator/Webmaster
Shelagh Muckle, Activity Coordinator
Dan Lampron, Activity Assistant
Stephen Darr, Foyer Greeter
Julie Roy, Foyer Greeter
Kathe Schnopp, Activity Asst/LNA
Bailey Therriault, Activity Asst/LNA
Tori Therriault, Activity Asst/LNA
Tiffany Holland, Transportation Coordinator/LNA/Activity Asst
Megan Weber, Transportation Asst/ Activity Asst/LNA
Gayle Potter, Per Diem Admin Asst