Vermont
VT Islamic group facing deadline to fund new mosque move in Burlington
One of Vermont’s few mosques is racing against the clock to purchase two new buildings its leaders say will better serve the growing Muslim community around Burlington.
The Islamic Community Center of Vermont, which currently operates out a cramped Winooski building, says it needs to raise $100,000 by April 28 to guarantee ownership of two much larger Burlington properties on Riverside Avenue.
For the approximately 300 Somali families who use the mosque’s services, the change in location would be like “moving from a one-bedroom apartment to a mansion,” center board member Mukhtar Abdullahi told the Burlington Free Press.
The mosque’s current space limits services. It can only run a few small Qur’an reading and recitation classes each day and weekend, resulting in waitlists for some classes.
“Unfortunately, we’ve had to turn people away simply because we don’t have the capacity to accommodate everyone,” Abdullahi said.
The mosque also lacks sufficient space for women and their children, who for instance must share the facility’s single bathroom with men, “which is far from ideal,” Abdullahi said.
The small size is also a safety concern.
“If something was to happen, there’s no quick exit,” he said.
The deadline is built into a purchasing agreement and financing terms from a bank, Abdullahi said. The center has paid an upfront deposit of $30,000, he said, and the remaining balance of the down payment and closings costs is due April 28.
A bigger space would allow the center to offer multiple classes for different demographics, including age and gender, giving families more flexibility. The organization would also be able to expand Qur’an instruction and provide followers with more activities.
Abdullahi especially dreams of one day cultivating a place just for local youth, which the mosque and the greater Burlington area as a whole lacks, he said.
“Regardless of religion, our youth are the future,” Abdullahi said. “We want to make sure we take care of them.”
How Islamic Community Center of Vermont came to be
The center is one of only two state-registered mosques in Vermont, according to Abdullahi. The other is the similarly named Islamic Society of Vermont, based in South Burlington.
The Islamic Society of Vermont formed in 1995. The Islamic Community Center of Vermont followed in 2011. Together, the two mosques serve the Green Mountain State’s 6,200-6,500 Muslim residents.
The main difference between the organizations is who each serves, Abdullahi said.
His center formed 15 years ago in response to a growing number Somali immigrants, many of whom do not speak English or have a car, to the greater Burlington area. The Islamic Society of Vermont’s services are offered primarily in English and its mosque is a long walk from where the majority of Somali families live, Abdullahi said.
Although the Islamic Society of Vermont has done its best to welcome and accommodate Somali attendees, “there was a need for a mosque where they could communicate easily, ask questions and feel fully understood by people who share their background,” Abdullahi said.
“This wasn’t about replacing that but about creating additional support and accessibility for our community,” he said.
The prospective location, which used to be a laundry mat and a car wash, is a 20-30 minute walk from the mosque’s current spot in Winooski.
Despite its small size, the mosque is “the heart of the community,” Abdullahi told the Free Press, adding that many Somali residents “would struggle to live our daily lives without it.”
The center performs marriages and funeral rites. It’s where people go to settle disagreements.
“We teach children how to be good citizens, how to stay away from trouble, how to read the Qur’an,” Abdullahi said. “It’s where we tell stories about back home.”
“It’s a small building that stands for and does more than what the eye sees,” Abdullahi said.
How fundraising is going
Should the religious nonprofit fail to raise enough money, it will forfeit thousands of dollars in already paid fees and must look for a different location, according to Abdullahi.
Despite the tight deadline, Abdullahi told the Free Press he feels confident the group will secure enough donations.
“We already have several committed donations and meetings lined up, and we’re continuing to connect with supporters,” he said. “Our community has always shown up in meaningful ways, and we’re hopeful that, as more people hear about this effort, they’ll contribute financially or support us in other ways as well.”
Donations will pay for the down payment and closing costs, which originally amounted to $300,000, according to Abdullahi. The center has raised $200,000, a significant amount of which came from Vermont’s non-Muslim population. It has a GoFundMe that as of April 14 had raised about $8,300.
“Regardless of where you come from, always, at the end of the day, community depends on each other,” Abdullahi said.
Real estate records show that the owners of the Riverside properties have been trying to sell them, or parts of them, for several years now.
When would the new mosque open to the public?
Should the center succeed in purchasing the two properties, the new mosque will open sometime between fall and the end of the year, Abdullahi said.
“The place needs a lot of renovations to make it a place of worship,” Abdullahi said, but “it’ll be doable.”
Just as before, people of all faiths, or people with no religious affiliation at all, are invited to visit the mosque.
“We don’t care what religion you are,” Abdullahi said. “It’s a place for the community. Anyone’s welcome.”
Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.
Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.
Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.
Here’s a look at June 16, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Vermont Mega Millions numbers from June 16 drawing
12-20-53-67-70, Mega Ball: 12
Check Vermont Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Gimme 5 numbers from June 16 drawing
06-21-27-29-38
Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 16 drawing
Day: 1-9-6
Evening: 5-1-1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 16 drawing
Day: 6-3-0-5
Evening: 2-1-8-4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 16 drawing
01-13-21-40-57, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.
For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.
All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.
Vermont Lottery Headquarters
1311 US Route 302, Suite 100
Barre, VT
05641
When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
- Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
- Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
- Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?
Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.
For the fifth straight year the Burlington Free Press sports department combed through our playoff results to compile an All-Championship team for the spring high school playoffs.
With a tilt toward players that won titles this spring we created an all-star like group of softball, baseball, lacrosse, Ultimate and tennis athletes that any team would welcome in the game’s biggest moments.
Below, you’ll find our All-Championship Team for boys and girls Ultimate.
Editor’s note:
All-championship teams for baseball and softball (Wednesday), boys and girls lacrosse (Thursday) and boys and girls tennis (Friday) will be published online later this week.
On Monday, June 22, readers will be able to vote on the boys and girls MVP of the 2026 spring playoffs. The ballots include all names listed below.
ALL-CHAMPIONSHIP GIRLS ULTIMATE TEAM
Marlie Bushey, Milton High School
Bushey ended her high school career with a state championship, putting up two goals and seven assists in No. 2 Milton’s 13-9 upset win over No. 1 Champlain Valley. The senior connected with Saunders on most of her assists and excelled as the mark in the Yellowjackets’ zone defense.
Saj Saunders, Milton High School
The junior scored a game-high five goals in No. 2 Milton’s 13-9 upset win to capture the program’s first title. Saunders also added two assists with the bulk of her goals coming early in the contest.
ALL-CHAMPIONSHIP BOYS ULTIMATE TEAM
Julian Olin, Champlain Valley Union High School
The senior scored the overtime game winner for No. 2 CVU in the championship contest giving the Redhawks a 14-13 win over No. 9 Milton with a wide-open catch. Olin finished the championship with two goals helping the Redhawks win their first title. The senior contributed two goals, and one pass break up in the Redhawks 15-8 semifinals win over Mount Mansfield.
Ethan Revoir, Champlain Valley Union High School
The senior supplied a hat trick in the Redhawks 14-13 overtime win against No. 9 Milton. Revoir was a force throughout CVU’s four playoff games, which includes two goals and two assists in CVU’s 15-8 semifinals victory. He also contributed three pass breakups in the playdowns.
Will Wallace, Champlain Valley Union High School
The senior played a big role in CVU’s playoff run which ended in a 14-13 overtime win against No. 9 Milton. Wallace finished the playoffs scoring three goals, dishing out 15 assists and broke up three passes in the Redhawks playdown win.
Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
Poet Joanne McNeil Hayes is set to kick off the seventh season of the Words in the Woods program at Button Bay State Park in Ferrisburgh.
The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. June 20, according to a community announcement.
Hayes, who grew up in a Chicago suburb, wrote poems about Midwestern life before moving to southern Vermont. Her work has been published in Plum, ENOUGH, Crosswinds and Valley and Beyond.
Her current book of poetry, “I am the Prairie,” explores growing up in the shadow of the Illinois prairie and witnessing patterns of immigration from 1832 to 1900, when Vermont farmers moved to the fertile prairie of that state, according to the announcement.
Vermont Humanities is covering the park entrance fees for the event, allowing attendees to enjoy a full day at the park.
The full schedule is available at vermonthumanities.org/programs/attend/words-in-the-woods-events.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
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