Justareminder,getoutthereandsendinyourNFINorthAroundtheWorldpictures!Wewanttoseehowyouspendyoursummer, whetherit'sexploringtheicecreamtrailortravelingtoexoticlocations,takeaselfiewithyourNFIgearsowecanshareouradventures Ilookforwardtofinishingtheyearstrongandcontinuingourimportantworktogetherinthemonthsandyearsahead Luke
HR NEWS AND INFORMATION
May Anniversaries
3 Year Employees
Lora Charbonneau
Sara Gates-Krzyaniak
Tuition Reimbursement
15 Year Employees
Dominick Factory
Just a reminder as the end of our Fiscal Year approaches, please submit any documentation or grades that are necessary for approval of Tuition Reimbursements These can be done through the Tuition Reimbursements Dashboard portal under your original approved request. Any questions can be emailed to NfiNorthHR@nafi.com.
EMPOWERM Celebrating the 23rd Annual
This year’s Empowerment Awards were truly inspiring! A heartfelt thank you to our keynote speaker Jessica Green! We had an amazing night celebrating our amazing community partners Derek Feather, Sergeant Community Police Unit, Pat Houghton, Chief of Staff, and Jamie with the ArtVan! And a big congratulations to Melissa, Thedia, Makiah, and Liz! Your powerful speeches reminded us all why we do the work we do at NFI North You should be incredibly proud of your journeys and the courage it took to share your stories It was a memorable and uplifting evening!
New Hampshire News
Clean Sweep: Contoocook School Students Give Back for Earth Day
As part of our Spirit Week festivities, on Wednesday April 22, our students participated in a Tie Dye Taco Earth Day Community Trash Pickup, demonstrating our commitment to environmental stewardship Armed with gloves, grit, and a lot of trash bags, our hardworking students celebrated the planet by scouring the local area to beautify the village of Contoocook By the end of the event, the collective effort was truly impressive, with a total of over 30 pounds of trash collected It was a powerful reminder that when we work together, even a few hours of service can make a heavy and highly visible impact on the world around us A huge thank you to everyone who pitched in to keep our community clean, green, and Earth Day ready
This impactful cleanup was extra special because it was part of the first annual NFI North Agency-Wide Volunteer Day Across the entire organization, staff and program participants stepped out into their respective communities to give back and make a difference. Joining forces with our fellow programs through Maine and New Hampshire for this coordinated day of service reminded us that we are part of a massive, supportive network dedicated to strengthening our communities. We are incredibly proud to have represented our program so well in this agency-wide initiative!
Spotlight
Tracy Willaman
Early Childhood Wraparound Coordinator Early Childhood Program
Tracy Willaman has been an early childhood wraparound coordinator since the fall of 2023. Tracy is a former Head Start teacher and to say she is a tiny human tamer is an understatement.
Tracy brings a level of calm and joy with her everywhere she goes. She has a knack for providing hope to even the most overwhelmed caregiver. She also is a leader in her peer group and never shies away from sharing ideas of ways to engage children of all ages. When the work is so very challenging and she is being asked to drive well over and hour and half to be with a family, she does so with no complaint. She always puts the work first and is an essential part of the larger CME team.
Thank you so much, Tracy, for all you do for the team and the families of NH! We are so blessed to have you!!
Maine News
Intermission is celebrating awareness, community connection and independent living skills in Lewiston, Maine.
Every month at Intermission in Lewiston Maine is a chance to celebrate and acknowledge awareness of important topics During these months Intermission highlights a particular area In May, we highlighted mental health awareness month and the staff and participants worked to decorate the “Wall of Belonging” at Intermission with a mental health awareness project that highlighted coping skills, sticky note reminders, the power of music in mental health awareness, and the destigmatizing of mental health.
Additionally, Intermission picks a program focus that will help participants work on developing a skill that will be important for their independence when they finally graduate from the program Recently, Intermission has been focusing on learning how to navigate and utilize the city bus system. The program acquired city bus passes and some participants have started riding the bus to their destinations instead of relying on program staff. It seems the norm is spreading as it started out with one participant and now three or four are beginning to utilize the bus system.
And lastly, the Intermission program is continuing to reach out to connect with the larger community The program volunteers with the Gather to Grow Center, Trinity Jubilee Center, Angel’s Wings and the Drop-In Center in Auburn This helps participants connect with and give back to the community they live in and at the same time, build vocational skills that will help them with independence. And this year, for the first time, Intermission will be holding a cookout and open house for first responders in the Lewiston area Here’s to connecting with our community and developing independence for our future!
Danielle Belanger Direct Care Staff
Beacon House
We would like to recognize Danielle for her commitment to NFI North, Beacon House for her 20th anniversary year. Danielle has many strengths that have helped the participants over the years. She is fun loving, a phenomenal group and activity facilitator, and one of our most dependable staff members Danielle’s unconditional positive regard and love for the work she does is evident through the strong relationships she builds with the adolescents she serves. Her consistent dedication, positive energy, and ability to connect with others make a meaningful difference each day We are grateful for the care, compassion, and enthusiasm she brings to her role, and we thank her for the lasting impact she has had over the past 20 years.
Clinical Connections
Empowering Lives, Inspiring Hope
June is PTSD Awareness Month
June is National PTSD Awareness Month, dedicated to increasing understanding, reducing stigma, and encouraging treatment for PTSD, a treatable mental health condition caused by experiencing or witnessing traumatic events. June 27 is specifically designated as PTSD Awareness Day. Awareness initiatives aim to help survivors realize they are not alone and can access care.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has a profound effect on the lives of those who suffer from it. The statistics alone are staggering, but can only tell a portion of the story. The trauma and anxiety associated with PTSD is a constant burden, inseparable from the sufferer. It was once a condition that was attributed only to returning combat veterans, but more and more the condition is diagnosed in those who have experienced violent crime or lived through catastrophic events. According to PTSD United, 20% of adults in the United States who have experienced a traumatic event suffer from PTSD.
#NationalPTSDAwarenessDay
Each year on June 27, National PTSD Awareness Day recognizes the effects posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has on the lives of those impacted by it.
A Place to Belong: Building Community Connections at THS Ashland
THS Ashland has remained actively engaged with both the Ashland community and surrounding areas through a variety of inclusion and volunteer activities. Earlier this month, following a significant event involving the Ashland Police Department, participants and staff prepared and delivered a Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake as a gesture of appreciation and support for the officers and department staff.
Participants also continue to enjoy attending the Senior Center in Plymouth, NH every Friday, where they have opportunities to socialize with community members through games, conversation, and meaningful interaction In addition, THS Ashland recently participated in a community beautification project at the Ashland Community Center THS Ashland previously donated the field sign displayed at the site, which was created collaboratively by staff and participants. After the winter season, the surrounding flower beds required maintenance, and participants worked together to remove debris, roots, and twigs before planting a variety of wildflowers. We look forward to seeing the area flourish and attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators throughout the season
