Starting Over—and Finding Home—in Bennington

Sarah Blizzard fell unexpectedly in love with Bennington and has taken on leadership roles to help others do so as well.

Southern Vermont wasn’t always home for Sarah Blizzard. In fact, it was a rather unexpected match. “Southern Vermont is so special,” Sarah reflects. “It really wasn’t until I moved here that I recognized all that it has to offer.” What began as a relocation soon became something deeper—a place to begin again and build a life rooted in community.

Finding Belonging After Transition

Having grown up in North Carolina and spent some time in Denver as well, Sarah’s move to Bennington County coincided with a period of major personal change. Navigating divorce required adaptability, reflection, and a willingness to try something new. Rather than retreat, Sarah leaned into community—finding support, purpose, and connection in unexpected places. That sense of being held by a village helped transform a difficult chapter into a turning point, one that shaped both their leadership and their commitment to place.

Putting Down Roots Through Service

Today, Sarah serves as Associate Director at Greater Bennington Community Services, where they help individuals and families navigate complex systems related to housing, food access, and energy assistance. Their work places them at the front lines of community care—meeting people where they are and helping them move toward stability.

Beyond their professional role, Sarah is deeply engaged in civic life. As a board member of Shires Young Professionals, they focus on creating welcoming, inclusive pathways for new and younger Vermonters to connect, build relationships, and feel at home. “Shires Young Professionals builds a sense of belonging that is incredibly important to retaining new Vermonters,” Sarah shares—something they know firsthand.

Building Community on Purpose

Sarah’s approach to leadership is grounded in empathy and inclusion. In addition to their work at GBCS, they run a consulting practice centered on coaching queer individuals and helping organizations become more inclusive. They also played a key role in bringing the Remote Area Medical program to Bennington, coordinating volunteers and outreach for a free healthcare clinic that served thousands of residents.

Sarah’s latest venture is starting a queer-centered choir, Bennington Voices of Pride. “In times when people are struggling to avoid the news and perhaps keep their own hope alive,” they share, “singing is a way to be in community with others and find meaningful connections.”

Through all of it, Sarah is known for making people feel at ease—bringing calm, humor, and compassion to spaces that can otherwise feel overwhelming.

Why They Stayed

What ultimately anchored Sarah in Southern Vermont wasn’t just the scenery, though they appreciate the beauty. It was the people. The relationships. The opportunity to build something meaningful alongside others who care deeply about their neighbors.

“Vermont is the state I hope to call home for many, many years,” Sarah says. By choosing to stay—and by helping others feel welcome—Sarah Blizzard is shaping the kind of community that makes people want to put down roots, too.

Move to Vermont

Want to live here too? We’d love to have you! Check out the resources on our Move to Vermont page or Connect with a Vermonter to get connect to our 1:1 relocation support.