Our amazing staff and participants had a fantastic time at the NAMI New Hampshire Walk Kick-Off Breakfast! The event was both inspiring and informative filled with powerful stories, helpful resources, and a shared sense of purpose
UPCOMING EVENTS
8/6- Foster Care Presentation at Horse Meadow Senior Center
8/12- 8/14 - Inclusion Maine Conference
9/11-9/12 - NFI Annual Conference
9/27- NAMI Maine 5K Walk
10/5- NAMI NH 5K Walk
Questions about events or have an event you are attending? Email Halie
Lookingahead,weareexcitedaboutourAnnualConferenceinSeptemberatAttitashResort,whichwillbringustogetherto celebrateourmission,learnfromeachother,andemphasizethepowerofconnection.Andbeforethat,Iinviteallofyoutojoin State of the Agency Meeting on August 6 from 1:00–3:00 PM via Teams, wherewe’llshareupdates,discussthe impactofstateandfederalchanges,answeryourquestions,andplanourmoveforward—together.
Changeisnevereasy,butitisoftenthesparkofinnovationandprogress.AsPresidentJohnF.Kennedyoncesaid, "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." AtNFINorth,wearechoosingtolookforwardaswecontinuetobuildaplacetobelong—withhope,withcourage,andwith connection.
Best, Luke
3 Year Employees
Cassidy Spencer
Bradley Muir
Carrie Girard
Suanne Davis
Melissa Davis
Nicole Cote
Kathleen Boyle
HR NEWS AND INFORMATION
August Anniversaries
5 Year Employees
Kylie Pratt
Julie Mercier
Milambo Lubamba
Amelia Kelby
Phillip Keenan
Melissa Ingraham
10 Year Employees
Lucy Underhill
Peyton Arbour
Suman Gurung
Justin Rana
Nathan Stafford
Marisa Torres
Jan Williamson
Erica Woodward
NFI North
26 Annual Conference
CHARTING THE COURSE: LEADING WITH PURPOSE
September 11-12 2025 th
It is with pride and excitement that we welcome you to NFI North’s 26th Annual Conference for 2025. This year’s theme,
“Charting the Course: Leading with Purpose,” invites us to reflect on the direction we take both individually and collectively as we navigate the ever-changing landscapes of human service.
At NFI North, we believe that purposeful leadership is rooted in compassion, clarity, and community
New Hampshire News
New Hampshire’s Children Programs Enjoying Their Annual Retreats
CME staff participated in our annual summer retreat on July 17th at Ellacoya State Park The day started off with an "If then" icebreaker that paired us off to get to know each other a little better Next on the agenda was activity stations led by members of our four huddle groups These activities included the Bob Ross painting station (where each group added to three canvases to create some truly unique art), the newspaper hat station, the lawn Jinga station, and the sand castle station After breaking for lunch, the day continued with a share fair where everyone had the opportunity to share tips and tricks, games, or graphics that they use while supporting youth and families in either our Wraparound or TrECC models. We ended the day with some friendly competition in our Extreme Rock, Paper, Scissor extravaganza. The blue team was victorious against the green team in a best of three match up. The rain held out just long enough for us to get through all of our activities and clean up. It was a wonderful day filled with fun, team building, and some much needed laughs
Community based celebrated their annual Staff Retreat on July 17 spending the day as a team at the Riverfront park in Tilton followed by some Ax throwing in Belmont Wonderful day of Laughter, team building and collaboration
Kathy Berger Internal Lead Coach CME
Spotlight
The CME would like to highlight a special accomplishment of our Lead Coach, Kathy Berger Kathy completed a rigorous 10-month Professional Coaching Program through the University of New Hampshire on July 8 The curriculum for this program focused on core coaching competencies and the foundational skills necessary to support professionals to enhance their performance and to successfully navigate challenges in their roles. As if completing this International Coaching Federation (ICF) Level 1 program was not enough, Kathy has already set her sights on the next level of her professional development. She immediately began a new program with a Master Coach through th
Corporate Coach Training. Upon completion of this new program Kathy will have the opportunity to obtain her ICF Level 2 Professional Certified Coach (PCC) Certification.
Kathy began her journey with NFI North as a Care Coordinator in the FAST Forward program in June of 2019 She shifted into the role of Internal Wraparound Coach in January of 2021 It was in this role that Kathy found her true passion She was promoted to Lead Coach in February of 2023 and she now oversees internal coaching for our NH Wraparound, TrECC, and Youth Peer Support models We are very proud of Kathy for her accomplishment and look forward to seeing where her unquenchable thirst for knowledge takes her next
Maine News
Heartfelt Messages from Maines Education Coordinators for Mike:
“Thank you, Mike, for giving us the autonomy to manage our responsibilities it helps us feel empowered and equipped to do our best work Your commitment is clear in the way you prioritize the big picture and ensure we have what we need to focus on a variety of longer-term goals. I especially appreciate your efforts to keep us informed and aligned with ever-evolving DOE expectations. " -Angela Merrill, Beacon House
“Mike has dedicated 20 years to the agency, supporting the NFI North Maine schools in many ways He creates connections with students as he travels to various programs, represents the agency at SPPS meetings and with the DOE, supports the Ed. Coordinators by providing updates and supervisions, and listens to teacher concerns. He does all of these tasks while remaining a positive and encouraging force. Mike's belief in the mission of our agency is apparent as he continues to advocate for the time, trainings, and tools educators need to continue to impact the lives of our participants.”- Teresa Dickson, Sidney Riverbend
Mike-
As I reflect on my first year as Education Coordinator, and your newest one to the team, I want to sincerely thank you for your steady leadership, empowering guidance, and support. Your 20 years of dedication to the schools of NFI North are truly inspiring, and it's been a privilege to learn under someone with such wisdom and heart for the work. Congratulations on this incredible milestone and thank you for helping me make my first year a meaningful one -Meghan Hill, Bridge Crossing
“Your guidance and support are so appreciated Many have benefitted from your 20 years of leadership and dedication ” -Dominic Mooney, Stetson Ranch
Spotlight
Mike Francoeur Principal
All Maine Schools
After two remarkable decades of unwavering commitment to our school community, we are proud to celebrate our principal's extraordinary milestone of 20 years of service as both our educational leader and school administrator. This significant achievement represents not just longevity, but a testament to exceptional
dedication, visionary leadership, and an enduring passion for student success Mike travels to Stetson, Sidney, Bridgton and Buxton Maine weekly to ensure that he personally has time and connection with the staff and students in our 4 schools.
On behalf of our entire school community, students, families, teachers and staff, we extend our heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to Mike for his 20 years of exceptional service This milestone is not just a personal achievement, but a celebration of the countless lives touched, minds inspired, and futures brightened through dedicated educational leadership with us here at NFI North
Cheers to the 20 years of making a difference, and to many more years of continued success and impact in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
Please join us in congratulating Mike Francoeur on this remarkable achievement and thanking him for his unwavering commitment to our school community
Clinical Connections
Empowering Lives, Inspiring Hope
August is recognized as National Wellness Month
National Wellness Month is celebrated throughout the entire month of August. It is a time dedicated to prioritizing self-care, managing stress, and establishing healthy habits. The focus is on overall well-being, encompassing mental, physical, and emotional health.
Examples of Wellness Activities:
Physical Activities: Engaging in regular exercise, like walking, swimming, or yoga.
Healthy Eating: Focusing on balanced meals with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Mindfulness and Stress Management: Practicing meditation, deep breathing, or other relaxation techniques.
Self-Care: Prioritizing activities that promote relaxation and well-being, such as spending time in nature or pursuing hobbies.
In essence, National Wellness Month provides a dedicated time to focus on self-care, and New Hampshire is actively participating by offering a range of resources and events to support residents in their wellness journeys.
Did you know?
You can boost your mental health with exercise
Your brain is mostly made of water
Getting too little sleep can hurt your brain
Laughing is great for your health
Boost your mental health through food
A Summer To Belong at THS Bradford
THS Bradford is embracing the NFI motto “A Place to Belong” in full this summer. We've been creatively raising awareness around mental health and strengthening our ties in the local community through acts of connection, support and service.
In May, for Mental Health Awareness Month, we made green ribbons with uplifting messages and shared them with local organizations that support our participants — including the library, fire and police departments, post office, barbershop, and bank. This small gesture led to big smiles, meaningful conversations, and even a feature in The Bradford Bridge!
In July, we joined the Manchester Pride Parade — walking together, supporting our agency’s table, and standing proudly alongside other programs. Back at home, we’ve been pitching in by washing fire trucks and helping restore the local food pantry. We’ve also thrown in some relaxation and fun visiting nearby parks and beaches. These experiences remind us that kindness, connection, and community spirit go a long way — and that everyone has something meaningful to offer. And no matter how small the offering, we all belong.
