reflectthekindoforganizationwestrivetobe,whichisonewhereopen,honest,andrespectful encouragedateverylevel.Whenpeoplefeelsafetoshareideasandconcerns,wegrowstrongerasa y
It is tax season and your W-2 is now available in UKG. You can access this information by going to your UKG account. Look for the section titled: U.S. Wage and Tax Statements.
Shrijana Singh Yonjan
Winter Spirit Week Olympic Edition
02/16-02/20
WEAR YOUR FAVORITE WINTER SPORTS GEAR!
MAKE ANY DISH FROM A DIFFERENT COUNTRY AND SHARE WITH EACH OTHER!
MAKE A SNOWMAN OUT OF ANYTHING! DOES NOT NEED TO BE SNOW!
CREATE PAPER AIRPLANES AND SEE WHO CAN GO THE FURTHEST!
Join us for NFI North’s Winter Olympic Spirit Week! Take part in the daily festivities and don’t forget to snap some photos along the way. We’ll review all submissions and award Gold, Silver, and Bronze plus special awards for Most Spirited and Most Creative The more you participate, the better your chances of placing, so feel free to get as creative as you’d like each day!
Please note: some photos may be shared on our social media channels. If individuals appear in photos, be sure they have given permission to be featured on our social media accounts.
New Hampshire News
Youth MOVE: Getting Certified
Our Youth MOVE team has been very busy focusing on the requirements for their Youth Peer Support Specialist Certification We are happy to announce that Molly Mara, Julianna Chrostowski, and Haley Winter have all achieved their initial certification!
The Youth Peer Support Specialist Certification process is lengthy and includes the completion of many specific in-person trainings, on-line modules, shadowing hours, coaching hours, and scoring 80% or higher on multiple meeting observation tools. With the support of their Coach, Haley Heinrich, our Youth MOVE team has been successful in reaching their certification goals Haley Heinrich is also currently working toward her own Coaching Certification.
Our Youth Move team is small but mighty, and we are so proud of their accomplishments
Jeff Smarse
Clinical Case Manager
FAST Forward
Spotlight
This month FAST Forward is celebrating Jeff Smarse as the employee of the month Jeff brings a calming and kind energy to his colleagues and the families he works with every single day. Jeff can always be seen asking how teammates are doing and offering to lend a hand, even for the most simple of tasks. Jeff leads with compassion and empathy and threads immense gratitude into his approach to working with youth and families. Jeff embodies the mission of the agency and truly walks the walk each day in ensuring those around him feel they have a place to belong. Thank you Jeff for being a role model for us all!
Pictured from left to Right: Molly Mara, Julianna Chrostowski, Haley Winter, Haley Heinrich
Maine News
Oliver Place: A Commitment to Community
At Oliver Place the goal is to not only support participants in traditional therapeutic models but to introduce them to what is possible through the creation of community. All members at OP participate in multiple community based events and tasks each year. These range from support for other NFI North Program events to annual community events in the Bath area.
This year Oliver Place staff and participants had the joy of participating in Bath's local plant sale, this is an annual event in Bath put on by the garden club The local garden club supports our program through the summer in teaching participants the ins and outs of starting, tending, and harvesting gardens at our program We continued our support for the Set for Success event put on at Morse High School which supplies students with necessary supplies for the upcoming school year and free hair cuts OP continued our tradition of creating and delivering Boo Baskets to all Maine programs for their staff and participants to enjoy This year we participated in the agencies effort to feed our communities by collecting cans and volunteering at local food pantries Finally we had the pleasure of supporting the NAMI walk and Bridge Crossing/Bridge Crossing Academy's Santa Shuffle event with participants and staff running as well as supporting in volunteer roles.
Oliver Place is somewhere that participants practice in our small community with opportunities to build connection with the larger communities around us. We believe that by showing our participants how to not only receive from our communities but give back to them that we are creating a life long resilience that can carry them through to success in all aspects of life It is our hope that our traditions will encourage them to start community traditions when they enter new communities beyond NFI North
Emily joined our team on June 23rd, 2025, and from day one she has brought positivity, creativity, and heart into everything she does. She carries herself with a constant smile and is known for her upbeat attitude in every situation—no matter how busy the day gets.
Emily is often the first to volunteer, whether that means covering extra shifts, coming in early, or staying late to support her teammates and the program.
Her willingness to step up never goes unnoticed and is deeply appreciated by both staff and the children.
She has a natural ability to connect with the children, forming meaningful relationships through active engagement. You’ll often find Emily sledding, ice skating, crafting, hiking, or playing soccer alongside them. Her creativity also shines through in special moments—like when she played Elsa at the Santa Shuffle and when she created “Ernie,” the Bridge Crossing support stuffie, which has become a source of comfort and connection for many children.
Beyond her work in the program, Emily’s compassion extends into the community. She participated in the Foundation for Suicide Prevention walk in support of fellow teammates, and brought her brother to participate alongside her and the walk team.
Emily’s kindness, dedication, and genuine love for what she does make her an invaluable part of our team. We’re so grateful to have her with us and to see the positive impact she continues to make every day.
Clinical Connections
Empowering Lives, Inspiring Hope
February is heavily marked by initiatives focusing on youth mental health awareness
Children’s Mental Health Week is February 9-15 it is a time to focus on youth mental health, emphasizing that 75% of mental illnesses begin before age 18. th
Time to Talk Day (February 6 ) Encourages breaking the stigma through open conversations abut mental health.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week (February 23-March 1) Highlights the impact of eating disorders and available support networks.
Youth Mental Health Awareness Month is a month dedicated to addressing rising suicide rates and mental health challenges among young people.
A Place to Belong: Stetson Ranch
Spending time outdoors and partaking in activities such as fishing, building a campfire, camping, or growing our own food can feel familiar or even second nature for many of us. But for many of the participants we support, these experiences are entirely new and can come with a sense of uncertainty or hesitation
Through outdoor education, the Stetson Ranch is working to make the outdoors a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone Participants are learning how to prepare and cook meals over a campfire, gaining practical skills while working together, and building confidence They have also been introduced to fly fishing, where they've learned to tie flies and practice casting, both skills that require patience and focus. With the support from staff, the participants are able to gain the willingness to try something new and unfamiliar.
In addition to these hands-on experiences, staff and participants are collaborating on plans for this year's garden and greenhouse Together, they are mapping out which vegetables to grow as we work toward a long-term goal of creating a roadside vegetable stand This project allows participants to be involved in every step of the process, from planning and planting to harvesting and preparing meals using food that they helped grow themselves
Seasonal activities such as ice fishing trips and canoe/camping excursions in the warmer months continue to expand participants' access to outdoor recreation. Many participants come to us with little to no prior experience in these settings, and our focus is on creating positive, supportive experiences that encourage growth. By introducing outdoor activities in an inclusive and intentional way, we are helping the participants build life skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging- both in nature and within our community
