AUGUST 2024 EDITION A PLACE TO BELONG MISSION
Our Community Residence Elm St. program staff on the day of their open house
A message from NFI North Executive Director, Luke Reynard
As we step into August, I am thrilled to share the exciting news that speaks volumes about our Normative culture and our focus on our mission. I am pleased to announce that NFI North has been named a New Hampshire Best Place to Work by Business NH Magazine!
Not only is this an amazing achievement by our agency, it is reflective of the hard work and dedication from all of our teams across both New Hampshire and Maine. Whether it's our collaborative spirit, innovative approach, or the genuine care we have for one another, each aspect of our culture has played a part in achieving this honor
When we were told about receiving this award, it brought an important moment of reflection for me about the significance of gratitude in our work and our lives In our field, we are privileged to support individuals who are facing some of the most challenging moments of their lives Our roles can be demanding, and the emotional weight can sometimes feel overwhelming However, amidst these challenges, there is a powerful tool we can use to maintain our own well-being and enrich the lives of those we serve: gratitude.
Gratitude is more than just a polite expression; it is a profound recognition of the good in our lives and in the world around us. It has been shown to improve mental health, strengthen relationships, and increase overall happiness. For all of us, as professionals dedicated to helping others, cultivating a sense of gratitude can help us stay connected to the purpose and passion that brought us to this work. As an organization, this not only supports our values, but can help us build a place for everyone to belong.
I encourage each of you to take a moment every day to reflect on the things you are grateful for It could be a small victory with a participant, the support of a colleague, or even a moment of personal growth By focusing on these positive aspects, we can foster a resilient and optimistic mindset, which not only benefits us but also enhances the care we provide to our participants
Let us also remember the importance of expressing gratitude to each other A simple thank you, a note of appreciation, or an acknowledgment of someone's effort can go a long way in creating a supportive and positive work environment. We are a team, and every contribution is valuable.
I know in my short time here, I feel immense gratitude for the support provided by our organization, the opportunities we have to help people, and the chance to learn and grow every day. Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and commitment to making a difference. Together, let's continue to cultivate a culture of gratitude within our agency, and let it shine through in the work we do every day as we inspire and empower people to reach their full potential.
Updates from the Business Office
As most of you are aware, we have been focusing on rebranding NFI North. This rebranding entails fresh and engaging values, a tagline conveying "A Place to Belong," lively and colorful aesthetics, and transitioning our website from .com to .org. We trust and hope that everyone is embracing this transformation alongside us.
UPDATES FROM HUMAN RESOURCES
Welcome to the new fiscal year and our new benefits plan year! All benefits eligible employees either elected or waived benefits in June for our new plan year that began on July 1st. We highly encourage you to check your paystubs to confirm your benefit deductions align with your open enrollment selections In addition, you should have received your ID cards for the benefits you selected. If not please notify your Program Director for further guidance.
NFI NORTH EMPLOYEE MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES
July
Emily Callahan, 3 Years
Jamaica White, 3 Years
Marybeth Cahan, 3 Years
Sagar Gurung, 3 Years
Tanesha Smith, 5 Years
Chris Porter, 3 Years
Christine Brown, 3 Years
Elden Martin, 3 Years
Haley Winter, 3 Years
Jordan Misiri, 3 Years
August
Matthew Doyon, 3 Years
Molly Mara, 3 Years
Tracey Quimby, 3 Years
Jefferey Warren, 10 Years
Updates from Updates from Maine and New Hampshire Maine and New Hampshire
Fare You Well Kurt Berger
Kurt Berger will be leaving NFI North Bridge Crossing Academy in August after 27 years of dedicated and exceptional service. Kurt has inspired, supported and guided so many students and colleagues at BCA and throughout the agency. His gentle and compassionate presence and his willingness to be involved will be part of the legacy he leaves behind. Thank you, Kurt, for your leadership, smile and unwavering commitment. We wish you well in your new adventure!
Oliver Place will be celebrating with their local community as part of Bath Kindness Day on August 17th.
Stetson Ranch will be camping on the Kennebec River in the West Forks August 20-22nd as part of their summer outdoor education program.
Finson Road will be attending the Red Hot Dog Festival August 10th and Piscataquis Valley Fair August 24th.
Sidney Riverbend will host their Family Fun Day on August 10th.
Art Van continues to host ME Children's Services programs each Monday this summer for group creativity projects. Art Van's mission is to promote equity and accessibility by delivering mobile art therapy for transformational healing to people in their communities.
Updates from Updates from Maine and New Hampshire Maine and New Hampshire
Community
Residence Elm St. Program in Newport is now open!
Thank you to everyone who worked hard and got us to this grand opening! We are so excited to have our Elm St. Program join NFI North! It won’t be long until East Mtn. Road opens too!
Attendees of the Family Engagement Core Training on July 24th created a unique family out of clay, everyone had a lot of fun and used their creativity. Check out the awesome work they did.
Clinical Connections: Empowering Lives, Inspiring Hope
August is filled with many National Awareness Days including National Grief Awareness Day
Important Days in August:
National Black Business Month - Entire Month
World Lung Cancer Day - August 1
Esther Day - August 3
National Nonprofit Day - August 17
Remember Slavery Day - August 23
Women’s Equality Day - August 26
Anniversary of the March on Washington - August 28
National Grief Awareness Day - August 30
Leveraging Technology for Equality
DEIB Newsletter NFI NORTH
August is Women’s Equality Month
Upcoming DEIB Events:
On August 26th, 2024 the UH Center for Public and the Institute for Research on Women, Gender, and Sexuality are proud to present a free dynamic roundtable via Zoom, "Data + Feminism = Equality". This initiative explores how data can be leveraged to advance gender equality by highlighting and addressing systemic inequalities faced by women The initiative focuses on using feminist principles to guide data collection and analysis, ensuring that the narratives and needs of marginalized groups are accurately represented By integrating data-driven insights with feminist perspectives, the program aims to challenge traditional power structures and inform policies that promote gender equity. It seeks to highlight how traditional data practices can often overlook or misrepresent the experiences of women and minorities, leading to biased outcomes The initiative encourages the use of data storytelling to make complex data more accessible and impactful for advocacy Through research, workshops, and public engagement, this forum seeks to empower individuals and communities to use data as a tool for social change and advocacy, ultimately working towards a more equitable society Spots for this event can be reserved through Eventbrite.
At the annual NFI North conference, the DEIB committee will be conducting an impactful training on integrating DEIB principles both professionally and personally The session will focus on fostering an inclusive environment by addressing systemic biases and promoting equity Participants will engage in interactive workshops designed to increase awareness of diverse perspectives and develop practical strategies for implementing DEIB values in everyday interactions By emphasizing the importance of belonging, the training will encourage attendees to cultivate environments where all individuals feel respected and valued The training will provide tools and resources to help participants champion NFI North’s DEIB values
August 5: Tisha B'Av
August 9: International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
August 15: India Independence Day
August 17: Marcus Garvey Day
August 26: Women’s Equality Day
August 31: Ganesh Chatuthi
September 11th-13th: NFI North Annual Conference
Know of DEIB events happening in your community? Let us know: deibcommitee@nafi com
Media of the Month
HBO's "One South: Portrait of a Psych Unit" offers an intimate look at life inside a psychiatric ward, highlighting the complexities of mental illness treatment and the personal stories of patients and staff. It underscores the importance of empathy and therapeutic processes in mental health care
Similarly,the mini series, Six Schizophrenic Brothers, explores the impact of schizophrenia on a family, where six siblings were diagnosed with the disorder The narrative examines the family's struggles, resilience, and the genetic research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health to understand schizophrenia Both works emphasize the need for understanding, empathy, and continued research in mental health
MEDICALTEAM AUGUSTNEWSLETTER
August:NationalWellnessMonth
Enhancingoverallhealththroughmindfulpractices,balancednutrition,regularexercise,andfosteringpositivementalattitudes.
ByCarolPearl
Peoplehavebeguntorealizethatahealthylifestylegoesfarbeyondaroutineofdiet andexercise!NationalWellnessMonthencouragesindividuals,familiesandentire communitiestogrowintheirunderstandingofwellnesschoicesinaholistic mannerthatincludesphysical,mental,emotionalandspiritualhealth.
HistoryofNationalWellnessMonth
TheoriginsofNationalWellnessMonthcanbetracedbackformanydecades, startingwiththehealthandwellnessmovementofthe1950s,1960sandbeyond. ThiswasthetimewhenphysiciansandthinkersintheUSandotherwestern countriesbegantoencourageconversationaboutthetopicofhealthandwellness,along withtheirwritingandresearch.Theinauguralcelebrationofthisannualeventtookplace morerecentlyin2018throughtheeffortsofLiveLoveSpawiththepurposeoffosteringcommunityand connectionwithinthewellnessindustry.Inaddition,thehopeforNationalWellnessMonthwastoencourage consumerstofocusonthesmallchangestheycanmakeintheirlives,withthehelpoftheservicesprovidedby wellnesscompanies.
HowtoCelebrateNationalWellnessMonth
Employers,schools,families,fitnesscenters,medicalprovidersandsomanyothersinthecommunityareinvited togeteveryoneinvolvedwithNationalWellnessMonth!Checkoutsomeoftheseideasforparticipatingin differentways:
OrganizeWellnessActivities
Medicalofficesorpharmaciesmightprovidefreehealthscreenings Gymscouldofferfreeaccessformembershiptrialperiods Schoolstaffmightplanandorganizeeducationalactivitiesfocusedonhealthandwellness. Counselors,hotlinesorpreventionservicescouldadvertiseonsocialmediaandraiseawareness
TakeActionforWellness
Whetheritisadentalcheckupthathasbeenputofforschedulinganappointmenttoseea therapistforyoursomementalhealth,nowisthetimetodoit.Or,perhapsthereisayogaclass thatyou’vebeenmeaningtojoin?NationalWellnessMonthactsasanidealremindertogo aheadandsignup–andperhapsinviteafriendtodoitalso!
SlowDownforWellness
Oneofthemostimportantpartsofleadingahealthylifestyleinthepaceoftoday’smodernworldisthe abilitytoreducestressbyslowingdown.AnexcellentwaytoparticipateinNationalWellnessMonthmight betocreateanewhabitofslowingdownandlisteningtothebody.Tryingimplementingsomedeep breathingpractices,takingtimeformeditationorlisteningtosomebinauralbeatsthathelpwithrelaxation. Beginningslowly,thenbuildingandaddinginisasuperwaytoreducebloodpressure,promotehealingand createalifestyleofwellness!
HappinessHappensMonth
ByKerrieAlkurabi
Onceuponatime,arealgroupcalledtheSecretSocietyofHappyPeopledecidedto dedicateadaytothepursuitofhappiness.Membersofthesocietywantedtolet happyfeelingslingerinsidethemeveryday.In2000,theSecretSocietyofHappy PeopleexpandedthecelebrationtoHappinessHappensMonthinAugust.
Happinessisachoice.Rememberinghappinessdoesnotmeanyouareproblemfree.That kindoflifedoesn'texist.AstheStoicsofAncientGreeceobserved,happinessisallaboutthe qualityofyourthoughts.Happinessisnotadestination,butratheralife-longpursuit.Joycanbeanywhereat anytime.Don'tlimityourselftosearchingforpleasure.Enjoyeverythingandanythingthatmakesyouhappy. OprahWinfreysaiditwasn'tuntilshelearnedtobehappythatgoodthingsstartedhappeningtoher.
HOWTOOBSERVE
Noticemorehappymomentsandsharethemwithothers. Use#HappinessHappensMonthinsocialmediacorrespondence.
HISTORY
TheSecretSocietyofHappyPeoplestartedcelebratinghappinesswith“AdmitYou'reHappyDay,”onAugust 8,1999.
