Congratulations to our 2025 Empowerment Honorees!
MISSION EDITION
UPCOMING EVENTS
6/3- FIT Event-Early Childhood
6/5- Contoocook School Graduation
6/10-6/11- NH GIVES
6/18-Maine End Of School Year Celebration
6/19-Juneteenth
6/21-Maine PRIDE Festival
6/26- Maine Child Welfare Conference
6/28-NH PRIDE Festival
Questions about events or have an event you are attending? Email Halie Chavanelle.
From left to right: Luke, Karena, Brian, Julia, Kruse, and Jill
Honoring Pride, Freedom, and the Power of Advocacy
AsIsatdowntowritethismonthsMissionEdition,stillfeelinginspiredbyouramazingEmpowerment Awards,Irealizedtheimmensesignificanceofthismonth.AsweenterJuneandtheonsetofabeautiful NewEnglandsummer,weallshouldtakeamomenttoreflectontheimportanceofidentity,equity,and justice—valuesthatarecentraltothemissionofNFINorth.JunemarksbothPrideMonthand Juneteenth,twopowerfulremindersoftheongoingjourneytowardinclusionandthecoreprinciples thatsupportourgoalofcreating a place to belong. PrideMonthcelebratestheresilience,dignity,and contributionsoftheLGBTQ+community.AtNFINorth,westandinsolidaritywithourLGBTQ+ colleagues,youth,families,andpartners,reaffirmingourcommitmenttocreatingsafe,affirmingspaces whereeverypersoncanthrive.
Juneteenth,officiallyrecognizedasafederalholidayin2021byCongressandPresidentBiden,commemoratesthe emancipationofenslavedAfricanAmericans.Itstandsasaprofoundreminderofournation’songoingstruggleforjusticeand equality,andcallsonallofustoconfrontsystemicinjusticewithhonesty,courage,andaction.AtNFINorth,werecognize thatourmissioninbehavioralhealth,education,andsocialservicesisinseparablefromthepursuitofracialequityandthe dismantlingofstructuralbarriers.HonoringJuneteenthmeansnotonlyrememberingthepastbutalsoacknowledgingour sharedresponsibilitytobuildamorejustandinclusivefuture—onerootedinrecognition,respect,andresolve. JuneisalsoacriticalmonthforlegislativeadvocacyinbothNewHampshireandMaine.Keydecisionsarebeingmadethat directlyaffectthefutureofmentalhealthandsocialservicefunding,includingMedicaidreimbursementratesandeligibility, transitionalhousingservices,andthecoverageofcommunity-basedservices.Thesepolicieshaveadirectimpactonour programs,ourteammembers,andthepeopleweserve.Yourvoicemattersnowmorethanever—thankyoutoeveryonewho hasreachedouttolawmakersorsharedtheirstory.
Together,let’scontinuetoadvanceamorejust,inclusive,andcompassionatefuture—oneperson,onecommunityatatime. Personally,I’moptimisticaboutthefuturebecausewe’reinthistogether,supportingoneanothereverystepoftheway.
Difficult roads often lead to the most beautiful destinations.
HR NEWS AND INFORMATION
June Anniversaries
3 Year Employees
Tara Burdick
Ashlie Henderson
Sebastian Holland
Sarah Sontz
5 Year Employees
Karen Washburn
Welcome our New Employees
Adam Barr
Scott Blewitt
Tammariah Guevin
Bishnu Gurung
Reilly McGlone
Curtis Johnson
Jon Lafitte
Nancy LaVine
Kyle Norman
Timonthy Trimbur
Alfonso Wilkerson
ANNIVERSARIES!
3 Year Employees
Tara MacKillop
Joseph Medeiros
Angela Monahan
We are sorry to the May Anniversaries we missed!
Heading into Summertime Fun and Games
Bridge Crossing is gearing up for summer with the arrival of some late May warm weather. The yard is full of children throughout the afternoon and early evening whether it is catching butterflies, riding bikes or playing on the swing set. It is a great way to release some fun energy at the end of a school day. We look forward to many more warm and dry summer days!
Stetson Ranch has built a volleyball court for the season They kicked things off with an outdoor party to celebrate student and staff achievements throughout the past year
Finson Road kicked off Memorial Day Weekend by hosting a screening Lilo & Stitch at the Center Theatre in Dover Foxcroft on May 23rd More than 60 members and friends of the NFI North community attended the event and enjoyed complimentary popcorn and snacks
The Maine Special Olympics Summer Games will be held in Orono June 6-8 and will be heavily attended by CCM participants and staff Some of the events our participants will compete in include bocce ball, track, shot put and long jump. And congratulations go out to our recent Empowerment Award winner Brian Champion who passed his driver’s license test on his first attempt so he will be driving himself to the event this weekend.
Way to go, Brian!
The Maine Schools will be recognizing all the students at the annual Year-End Celebration on June 18th at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverwalk in Auburn, ME. Always a special and uplifting event, this year will include two students who will be receiving their high school diplomas! We hope to see many of you there!
Elena Hurley Shift Supervisor –
Summit View
Elena has worked for NFI North for two and a half years and in that time has demonstrated a rare blend of compassion, creativity, and leadership. Beginning as a direct care counselor and now serving as a shift supervisor, she has become a cornerstone of the Summit View team, supporting youth with empathy while mentoring staff with clarity and purpose Her ability to motivate others toward continuous
improvement has helped shape a culture focused on growth and impact Whether developing goals with the team or guiding program participants through difficult moments Elena leads by example, always with the best interests of the youth at heart Elena received the Distinguished Service Award at last month’s annual Child & Family Provider Conference Elena embodies the conference theme, Personal and Professional Development for a Better Future, through both her actions and her mindset She embraces learning opportunities that enhance the well-being of our youth and team alike, thriving in a role that demands adaptability and a “master of all trades” mentality Her creativity shines in initiatives like forming a partnership with a local retailer to exchange needed clothing for youth in return for community service to spending days meticulously repairing a prom dress so a young person can feel beautiful and empowered. Her ability to balance warmth with structure makes her not only effective, but exceptional in this field. Through her actions, she’s not just shaping the future of those she serves but is also setting a powerful example for those fortunate enough to work alongside her.
NFI School Celebrations
Contoocook School Graduation
Thursday June 5th
Contoocook School Teachers, Faculty, and Staff wish to express their heartfelt gratitude and best wishes to the graduating class of 2025.
It has been a joy to help you learn and grow We are incredibly proud of you and wish you all the success in your future endeavors
Maine Schools
End of Year Celebration
Wednesday June 18th
Please join us on June 18 to celebrate all of our students and staff! Lunch will be provided, with the award ceremony to follow. We hope you join us in celebrating the 2024-2025 School Year! th
