Keeping 90-year-old buildings that are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in pristine condition and able to support highly regulated treatment and care of vulnerable children and families rests on the shoulders of Vourn Vigneault. She may be short in stature but is no pushover, as the property maintenance team knows full well.
Vourn is responsible for the maintenance of the many properties that are part of The Village. These include the historic and beautiful “cottages” on the 1680 Albany Ave. campus in Hartford built in 1925; a group home built in 1904 – also a national landmark; our Center for Community Life building on Wethersfield Ave., the former “Trolley Barn” built in 1903; and our Shelter for Women at Gray Lodge on Spring St. in Hartford, built in 1875. Other properties in Meriden, Manchester and Bloomfield all fall under her careful watch.
Her responsibilities include everything from insurance to fire protection, snow removal to tree pruning. She also ensures that our buildings comply with both historical and modern standards, including accessibility.
“Helping to create a safe, comfortable, peaceful environment for our clients and our staff is important to me,” says Vourn.
Her connection to The Village preceded her employment with us. She served as a volunteer for the Children’s Services Horse Show, which was held every year for 41 years on the Farmington Polo Grounds as a major fundraiser for The Village.
She also worked in various leadership capacities for other national and international equestrian competitions, including the Washington International Horse Show, Eastern States Exposition Horse Show, and the Vermont Summer Classic Horse Show series. Prior to that, she was a school teacher in the middle and senior high schools in Windham, CT.
Vourn earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania.
What quote best captures your personal philosophy?
“Never give up on a dream because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” -Earl Nightingale
What is something unexpected that most people don’t know about you?
I rode horses for most of my life.
What do you most want clients of The Village to know about you?
I take very seriously the well being and safety of each of our clients who visit any of The Village sites.