NFI NORTH | SEPTEMBER 2026
MISSION EDITION
UPCOMING EVENTS 9/7- Labor Day 9/10- Summer Street Job Fair 9/22- Best Place to Work NH Breakfast 9/24-9/25- NFI North Conference 9/26- Maine NAMI Walk
Our Maple Lodge program recently took a two-hour tour up Mount Washington!
Questions about events or have an event you are attending? Email Halie Chavanelle.
NFI NORTH | SEPTEMBER 2026 Hello Team! As we close out the summer and prepare to step into the fall, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible work, commitment, and leadership each of you brings to our organization every day. Transitions like this are a natural opportunity to pause, reflect, and look ahead. We can celebrate what we have accomplished, acknowledge the challenges that have strengthened us, and think intentionally about where we want to go next. We are especially proud of being awarded the BEST PLACE TO WORK for the 9th year in a row in Maine. We also have earned HALL OF FAME status for this same award in NH. Being recognized in each state as one of the best companies to work for is such an honor and quite humbling. The credit goes to all of you. Our upcoming conference theme, Gratitude and Growth, could not be more fitting. Gratitude asks us to recognize the people and experiences that have helped shape our journey. Every success we experience is the result of people showing up, supporting one another, solving problems, and believing in the work we do. I am deeply grateful for the dedication and leadership demonstrated across our team. Growth challenges us to keep moving forward. As leaders—regardless of our title or role—we have a responsibility to remain curious, embrace change, learn from one another, and continually look for ways to improve. Growth means being willing to ask difficult questions, take thoughtful risks, have courageous conversations, and create opportunities for others to succeed. As we enter the fall, I want us to think not only about what we want to accomplish, but also about how we want to lead. The culture of our organization is shaped by all of us. Each interaction, decision, and example we set has an impact. Let’s use this next season to strengthen our teams, invest in our people, celebrate progress, and hold ourselves accountable to the mission we share. Let’s lead with purpose, compassion, courage, and a genuine commitment to making a difference. I am excited about our upcoming conference and the opportunity to come together, learn, reflect, and reconnect. Most importantly, I am excited about what is ahead for our organization and the people we serve. Thank you for your leadership, your dedication, and the countless ways you make a difference every day. Let’s enter this fall with gratitude for how far we’ve come, a commitment to continued growth, and confidence in what we can accomplish together. With gratitude, Jill
New Hires
Welcome!
HR NEWS AND INFORMATION
Harold Bearden Karen Corbiel Chris Cote Jayden Gallant Robert Kelly Vuk Korasic Paul Lakevicius Dominic Myers Dawn Roy Melanie Valley
September Anniversaries 5 Year Employees 3 Year Employees Emily Baker Elizabeth Fuchs Susan Daigle Edward Grondin Mallery Foster Logan Parsons Megan Goomishian Lois Tanguay
EVENT WILL BE HELD FROM 1:00-4:00
HIRING EVENT!
Looking for more than just a job? Discover a career where you truly make a difference.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH 163 SUMMER STREET | NEWPORT, NH At NFI North, we’re building something meaningful—providing mental and behavioral health support that helps people grow, thrive, and feel like they belong. And we’re looking for compassionate, dedicated individuals to join our team. No experience necessary, on the job training provided. COME MEET THE TEAM FOR AN ONSITE INTERVIEW!
FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.nfinorth.org/careers
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NFI NORTH | SEPTEMBER 2026
We can’t wait for the 2026 NFI North Annual Conference GRATEFUL AND GROWING September 24-25th
Congratulations We are pleased to announce Scott Dufour has been promoted to the role of Maine Assistant Regional Director. Scott has been with NFI North for over 28 years in a variety of leadership positions both in children and adult services. He is a strong advocate for the participants and families we serve and is an exemplary leader and role model of the Normative Approach. He has been recognized by his peers and staff teams over the years with several nominations each year for Conference awards, most recently receiving the Dr. Bakal Excellence in Leadership Award in 2023, becoming the only two-time winner of this coveted honor. Scott possesses a wealth of experience and knowledge relating to Licensing Rules and Regulations, and his understanding of agency expectations will be invaluable as we look to expand our services across Maine.
Scott Dufour
Maine Assistant Regional Director PAGE 3
Congratulations, Scott. We look forward to many more years of your leadership at NFI North!
NFI NORTH | SEPTEMBER 2026
New Hampshire News
THS Ashland Engagement & Community Involvement Our staff had several opportunities to connect, give back, and enjoy some fun together outside of their everyday responsibilities. We had a Team Building Retreat at Wellington State Park, which provided an opportunity for team members to relax, build relationships, and strengthen connections in a more casual setting. In addition, several members of the staff, as well as participants also participated in a community blood drive put on by the Red Cross, demonstrating our commitment to giving back and supporting an important community need. To add some fun and team spirit to the workplace, participants and staff participated in Twin Day, pairing up and designing a t-shirt to wear with their “twin”. The activity brought plenty of laughter and encouraged staff and participants to step outside of the normal routine. Together, these activities helped promote teamwork, camaraderie, and a positive workplace culture. Creating opportunities for staff and participants to connect, celebrate one another, and engage with the broader community supports a strong and connected team.
Ke Cawley Clinical Case Manager Maple Lodge
Spotlight
We are proud to recognize Ke Cawley, who is approaching five years with NFI North. Throughout her time with the agency, she has demonstrated remarkable professional growth, continually expanding her skills while making a lasting impact on the lives of the people we serve. Over the past two years, Ke has become one of the driving forces behind our outdoor adventure program, creating meaningful opportunities for participants to challenge themselves, build confidence, and experience recovery beyond the walls of our program. She has planned and led more than 70 community outings. Through her encouragement, patience, and belief in each participant's potential, she has inspired individuals to step outside their comfort zones, overcome self-doubt, and accomplish goals they never imagined possible. Her passion for outdoor recreation has been instrumental in developing a culture at THS Maple Lodge that embraces a holistic approach to recovery, recognizing that healing happens not only through therapy and treatment but also through meaningful experiences, connection with nature, physical activity, and shared accomplishment. What makes her contributions even more remarkable is that she has accomplished all of this while excelling in her primary role as a case manager and facilitating five classes/workshops each week. Her dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment to our participants exemplify the very best of NFI North's mission and values. Thank you, Ke, for your passion, leadership, and the countless ways you inspire both our participants and your coworkers every day. We are grateful to have you on our team and look forward to seeing the many more mountains you'll help others climb. PAGE 4
NFI NORTH | SEPTEMBER 2026
Maine News
Spotlight
Stetson Ranch had a memorable summer!
Becky Underhill
Our youth had many opportunities to learn, serve, explore, and enjoy the outdoors. Before summer school began, students recognized as leaders enjoyed a camping trip to Rockwood, Maine, on beautiful Moosehead Lake, along with a round of golf at Bucksport Golf Course. During the summer school session, students stayed engaged through academics, volunteering, educational field trips, and gardening. They grew flowers and vegetables, explored nature at places like the B52 site, and gave back to the community by helping prepare the Dixmont Methodist Church for repainting, cleaning up Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, and collecting supplies for the agency school supply drive. Other summer highlights included trips to state parks, a camping trip to Lake Winnecook in Burnham, Maine, nature journaling supported by the NAFI Art Grant, kayaking lessons, canoeing, boating, a Mustang car show, and plenty of fishing and swimming. For many students, these adventures also brought exciting first-time experiences. We are proud of our youth for their hard work, leadership, and willingness to give back throughout the summer. We would also like to thank our staff team for going the extra mile to make these meaningful experiences possible.
Nurse Finson Road Becky Underhill has been a nurse at Finson Road for the past six years, and while she is an incredible nurse, she is also an absolutely wonderful person. Becky brings so much more to Finson Road than her nursing expertise, she brings humor, kindness, compassion, and of course, her impeccable dancing skills! You might find Becky organizing the med room, teaching a CRMA the ropes, listening while sitting beside a participant who is nervous about a procedure or simply accompanying someone to a medical appointment to make sure they feel supported. She has a way of making people feel cared for and less alone, especially during moments that can be scary or overwhelming. And then there’s Becky’s ability to make us all smile. She is always ready to lead the singing of “Happy Birthday” for each of us, and somehow manages to bring a little fun and laughter wherever she goes. She truly is one of those people who helps create the warmth and connection that make Finson Road such a special place. We are incredibly grateful for the six years Becky has given to Finson Road and for everything she continues to bring to our participants, our staff, and NFI North. Her heart, humor, dedication, and genuine care make a difference every single day.
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NFI NORTH | SEPTEMBER 2026
Clinical Connections Empowering Lives, Inspiring Hope September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness, share resources, and promote open conversations about mental health.
Key Dates and Observances September 8: 988 Day (A day of action celebrating the 988 Lifeline) September 10: World Suicide Prevention Day (A global focus on directing treatment and remembering those affected) September 8–14: National Suicide Prevention Week (A campaign focused on warning signs and education) Common Warning Signs Expressing feelings of hopelessness, being a burden, or having no reason to live Talking about wanting to die or killing oneself Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities Exhibiting extreme mood swings, agitation, or rage Changing sleeping or eating habits dramatically How You Can Help Ask directly: Ask a loved one if they are thinking about suicide. Asking does not increase the risk; it offers relief. Listen without judgment: Let them share their pain and let them know they are not alone. Share resources: Connect them with professional help, support groups, or the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
A Place to Belong: Sidney Riverbend Leans Into Their Village What does inclusion mean? Inclusion can mean many things. Belonging, fair treatment, moving beyond diversity by having a different mix of people who are actively engaged, and equity by removing barriers. When we move past the traditional definitions of practicing to ensure that everyone feels valued, respected and treated fairlywe must commit to finding ways to make those words become actions. Sidney Riverbend is fortunate that we have important community members who ensure that our participants know that there are people who care for them outside of family, staff and providers. We are fortunate that we have positive relationships with first responders, law enforcement and others. One very important person that we have is our Fire Marshal, Aaron Marden who uses his position and dog, “Sharon Osborne” as a way to make connections with our participants. Aaron stops by frequently and allows everyone to interact with Sharon and brings a sense of belonging in that there are people outside of the program, within the larger community who want them to have someone and that they belong. Here is a photo of Aaron with Sharon who will be paying us another visit in October to talk about fire safety. It is connections like these that take inclusion to a higher level. It really does take a village.
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