The Contoocook office came together to celebrate Dolly’s retirement from NFI North. Thank you Dolly for 20 years at NFI North! The party consisted of mocktails, food, rock painting, and lots of stories.
Thank you Dolly for 20 years at NFI North!
UPCOMING EVENTS
2/9-2/15- Random Acts of Kindness Week
2/10-2/19
Casino Charity Week for NFI North at the Lebanon, NH Casino
2/11
Husson University Job Fair
3/10
UMaine Farmington Job Fair
3/18
Husson University Job Fair
4/14-4/15
DCYF Conference
Questions about events or have an event you are attending? Email Halie Chavanelle.
Ithinkwecanallagreethatthepastmonthhasbeeneventful.Aswekeepaneyeonlocaland nationalpoliticsandwhattheymeanforus,wealwaysshouldrememberthatNFINorthis basedontheirunwaveringvalues:Belonging,Dedication,Empathy,Resilience,andTrustIna worldwherepoliticalnoisecanbedistracting,itisimperativethatwestaycommittedtoour missionof inspiring and empowering people to reach their full potential. Now,morethan ever,wemustreaffirmourcommitmenttoourmission,ensuringthatourworkisguidedby whattrulymatters-creatingaplacetobelongforeveryone
Join our next Wellness Challenge and earn a chance to win a $25 gift card. If one of your goals is to work on your nest egg, we’ve got a challenge to help you get there (remember challenges are free and open to all employees)! The Wellness Committee is raffling off a $25 gift card for those who complete the final challenge milestone (one per Corp) Log on to AHealthyMe and register today!
Welcome our New Employees
Robert Banks
LJ Jade
James Henry
Nicholas England
3 Year Employee
Steven Cicconi
Alexander Hamer
Patrick Kanneh
Julia Kummerfeldt ANNIVERSARIES!
NFI NORTH RandomActsofKindness ChallengeWeek
Random Acts of Kindness Week is held annually from February 9 - February 15 It is a celebration of all the ways we can become positive influences in each other’s lives.
Who
When
Where What
ALL NFI North Programs including Staff and Participants
Week of February 9 -15, 2025
You can perform your act of kindness at your programs, or you can spread kindness anywhere!
We are asking all programs to join us in a week of Random Acts of Kindness. This is open ended, however if you and your program wish to spread kindness it is up to you. Please submit photo proof of your program doing an act of kindness and email it to Halie. (haliechavanelle@nafi.com) We will share our week of kindness on our social media platforms. Please make sure if participants are in a photo that we have proper consent forms.
Why Sharing kindness is enjoyable and can significantly enhance your well-being and that of others. It also helps alleviate stress and increase happiness. ON TOP OF THAT, we embrace a spirit of friendly competition! Every program that engages in a kindness activity and provides proof will be entered into a random drawing, with the winning program receiving a prize
Please submit a photo of your program doing an act of kindness and email it to: haliechavanelle@nafi.com
New Hampshire News
Brad Muir Lead Housing Specialist NFI North, NH Spotlight
Brad Muir attended the “A Time for Change: The 7th Annual Housing We Need Roundtable Forum.”
I was excited to attend this forum, “A Time for Change: The 7th Annual Housing We Need Roundtable Forum,” at Saint Anslem College. This event included professionals from various housing backgrounds, including housing advocates, politicians, New Hampshire Housing representatives, community members, professionals within the housing industry and developers The event featured a discussion about New Hampshire’s general housing needs, the current climate of the rental and purchasing market, and the struggles that many of our Granite Staters are going through It was a nice feeling to represent some of our state’s population who manage SMI and SPMI on a day-to-day basis and who either are/will be navigating those experiences upon their transition from our programs back into the community
The meeting allowed participants to discuss pressing issues from their unique backgrounds, focusing on the financial struggles faced by those transitioning to independent living, particularly concerning start-up costs for apartments. Representing NFI at this housing forum felt rewarding, especially with Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte discussing state-level housing issues and potential solutions. Overall, it was a valuable experience to advocate for the population served.
Crystal Torno, Assistant Director, FAST Forward Program
Crystal came to us in 2017 from Nevada, where she was a supervisor in a Wraparound program. When Crystal’s family was working on moving home to NH, she searched online for Wraparound in NH, and connected with Daryll Tenney, our state Bureau of Children’s Behavioral Health partner, to get the lay of the land for Wraparound and Systems of Care here. Crystal’s insight and compassion helped her to move through the ranks from Coordinator to Supervisor to Assistant Director.
In addition to serving as Assistant Director, Crystal has become an extraordinary and balanced leader within our Management Team, always reminding us of the needs and strengths of our “boots on the ground” She is also a certified state trainer in Diversity and Cultural Competence and a member of the Trainers’ Circle for the state initiative Crystal has worked with New American families and continues to be part of the workgroup dedicated to strong service for those families and youth.
Spotlight Maine News
Intermission
Transitional
Residental Program
Lewiston, Maine
Intermission is a transitional residential program in Lewiston, Maine, for college-aged adults facing severe mental health challenges and potential homelessness
We provide a supportive, non-judgmental community focused on diversity and inclusion, where residents can pause, reflect, and work towards their future. They engage in work, school, or volunteer opportunities, benefiting from services like medication management, therapy, and vocational assistance.
Residents also enjoy various activities such as trips to Boston or exploring Acadia National Park, fostering personal growth and a sense of belonging while contributing to their local community At Intermission, residents will find a place to belong while they chart their course for a better future
Christine Paul Program Clinician
Finson Road Adults Residence
Christine Paul joined NFI North, Finson Road in 2023 with a remarkable resume and a heart that perfectly matched our mission. The participants at Finson Road are older adults who carry a myriad of challenges that often come with aging, yet often include mental health struggles and trauma many of them have persevered with throughout their lives
Christine is absolutely the right addition we needed to expand our team at Finson Road We are grateful for the kindness, care, and consideration she brings to us all every day She is the first person to volunteer for a project, help guide a conflict towards a resolution, or to simply listen without judgement. Our team relies on her expertise to guide participants towards their goals, and she never hesitates to support other NFI programs in need of clinical assistance, working extra hours if needed, stepping into each challenge without hesitation.
We are proud to have Christine as part of our team and we are grateful she took a chance and followed her heart to NFI North She is helping to create a place our participants call, “ a safe place to grow, and a home where I can belong” as many of them proudly step up with confidence to move forward in their goals of independence
Clinical Connections
Empowering Lives, Inspiring Hope
February 6th is Time to Talk Day
This day focuses on mental health and the importance of reaching out to others The day highlights benefits of opening up and being honest about mental health, without the fear and stigma often attached to the topic It can be daunting to express personal struggles and because of this, many people keep everything bottled up. By opening up, the likelihood of seeking help increases for the person suffering , which can be crucial to the healing process. On Time to Talk Day, help raise awareness about mental health and be a part of changing the narrative.
You don't need to be an expert to talk about mental health. These are easy ways to reach out:
Text a friend
Put up posters at work or school
Chat over a cup of tea with a colleague
Host an awareness event in your community
Share something on social media using #TimeToTalk
Eating Disorders Awareness Week: February 24-March 2
Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is an annual campaign to educate the public about the realities of eating disorders and to provide hope and visibility to individuals and loved ones impacted by eating disorders. Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2025 is taking place Monday, February 24 – Sunday, March 2, 2025.
DEIB Corner
Summit View Young Adult Residence Bangor, Maine
At Summit View we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where our youth can learn about, and appreciate the diverse cultures that make up our world To support this effort we launched Cultural Awareness groups, facilitated by members of our community These groups are designed to educate our youth about different cultures to promote respect, empathy, and understanding
This month one of our team members developed a presentation and shared facts about her own culture and country of origin This personal connection allowed our youth to learn about cultural differences firsthand from someone they trust, increasing their acceptance and engagement
Our Cultural Awareness groups create a space for open dialogue where youth can not only learn about the traditions and history of other cultures but share their own cultural backgrounds The impact of this initiative is that our youth gain a deeper understanding of diverse backgrounds, develop a greater sense of empathy, and learn to respectfully engage with others regarding cultural differences We are committed to expanding these Cultural Awareness groups to foster a broader sense of belonging for all our youth
