Pictured: Kara, Alex, Arianna, and Caitlin Members of our Transitional Housing Manchester team recently delivered a presentation on THS Manchester and NFI North to the Community Advisory Board at the Manchester Police Department.
UPCOMING EVENTS
3/1- March is Women’s History Month
3/8- Daylight Savings Time
3/10- NFI North Panera Fundraiser in Concord, NH from 4-8pm
Questions about events or have an event you are attending? Email Halie Chavanelle
As I was thinking of the opening for this Mission Edition, I decided to take a moment to celebrate the spirit of camaraderie and excellence that the Olympics embody Just like athletes from around the world unite to showcase their talents and push their limits, our team embodies the same dedication and collaborative spirit that drives us forward.
Quotes we heard from these past two weeks at the Olympics that relate to the work we do at NFI North
"I love struggling, actually it makes me feel alive" and "Do stuff that people tell you you shouldn't do"
Alyssa Liu (on the decision to come back after retiring at the age of 16 and why its ok to color your hair in stripes)
"There is no greater trap than thinking the accomplishment of some goal will change your life What will change your life is who you become in the process of going for it" Mikaela Shiffrin (on staying the course to compete in the Olympics while battling the grief of losing her father)
"Our personal compass is the only one that matters"
Lindsay Vonn (who competed in the downhill competition without her ACL in tact)
"On the world's biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside" Ilia Malinin (who was overwhelmingly predicted to win gold and finished in 8 place) th
"In a sport that's looked at as feminine, being an out queer woman can be looked at as not as graceful I was a bit fearful of how I might be perceived by people But the support outweighed any hate I've ever gotten So be you and live your truth rather than trying to be something you're not".
Amber Glenn (who battled back from 13 place to end up in the top 5 in women's skating) th
"I'm lucky I'm from the best country in the world and we have great dentists there too"
Jack Hughs (who scored the winning goal in overtime for the US Men's Hockey Team while losing 3 teeth being hit with a hockey stick)
I was engrossed with every aspect of the Olympics. The messages of hope that it gave, that if you work hard and follow your dreams, anything can happen I loved how it focused on belonging to a greater community, the personal stories, watching people overcome their fears, and how they got back up to try again and again
Similarly, I admire the gold standard of teamwork within our organization, showcasing how our collective efforts and unwavering support for one another lead to remarkable achievements It was awesome to see many programs competing in their own Olympic Spirit Week activities this past week. From friendly competition to innovative projects, to community initiatives, each of you plays a vital role in our success, much like the Olympians who inspire us with their perseverance and commitment
Let’s continue to strive for greatness together, cheering each other on as we reach new heights. Here’s to celebrating our victories, big and small, as we set the bar high in everything we do!
Wishing you a great month ahead, Jill
HR NEWS AND INFORMATION
March Anniversaries
3 Year Employees
Missy Fairbrother
Aaron Giragosian
Alanna O’Dowd
Shelley Zintel
NEWS
5 Year Employees
Jessica Hannigan
10 Year Employees
Carol Pearl
In light of ongoing global events, we encourage you to remind employees of the confidential support available through the AllOne Health Employee Assistance Program.
Shannon Ally
Sylvie Asher
Emily Avila
Jasmine Bernier
Jasmine Bradley
Julia Carr
Xena Cho-Sargent
Amanda Cross
Danni Gavin
Michael Halloran
Vee Thacker Welcome!
Employees may be experiencing increased stress or concern, particularly those with family members overseas, loved ones serving in the armed forces, or personal connections to affected regions. A simple reminder can help ensure employees know support is available when they need it.
Through the AllOne Health EAP, employees and their household members have access to:
In-The-Moment Support for immediate emotional support
Confidential counseling services
Referrals and ongoing care resources
24/7 access to trained professionals
Employees and managers can call 800-451-1834 at any time to receive support or be connected to counseling services.
New Hampshire News
Business Office Culture Club Committee bringing some fun to everone!
Over the past year, the Business Office Culture Club Committee has been organizing simple, meaningful activities to help bring people together The goal has always been to create opportunities for connection, collaboration, and a little fun along the way
What started within the business office has gradually expanded to include other programs as well from inviting people to submit photos for the pet contest for the NAMI walk last October to helping organize the recent Winter Olympics Spirit Week as well as the Gingerbread House contest Each effort is centered on the same idea: building community while continuing our important work
One small tradition that has become a favorite is Popcorn Tuesday. Each week, popcorn is made and shared with anyone who would like some. Since new hire onboarding has moved to the business office, this has also become a welcoming way to introduce new staff
The committee has also supported a variety of other gatherings throughout the year, including helping with the office holiday party, participating in clean-up day with the Contoocook School, coordinating a visit to the casino during our week as the designated charity, planning an escape room outing, hosting fun lunches, and sharing a Thanksgiving lunch with students and staff at the Contoocook School.
The committee looks forward to continuing to find thoughtful, creative ways to bring people together across the organization in the year ahead
Kim Olsen
Clinical Case Manager Team Lead
SOlsen recently officially transitioned into her new role as Clinical Case Manager Team Leader. Kim has n with NFI North (and THS Concord) for just over 13 years now, during which time Kim has contributed atly to the case management efforts of all transitional housing services (THS) in New Hampshire. For past two years Kim has held this title, helping the organization’s other programs within THS while tinuing in her role as Case Manager at THS Concord Kim has also been involved with the training of w Clinical Case Managers and was heavily vested in the training for our newest THS programs
this spotlight is more than just about the hard work and dedication that Kim has given over the years about the teamwork, caring, laughter, collaboration, and positive attitude that Kim brings to work every Just her presence alone can calm an anxious room, and her smile is uplifting to those whose spirits down Kim is always one of the first to get excited and jump into a new project, especially those that uire innovation and acute decorating like some of our events Kim is always supportive of her peers and participants, never walking away from a situation requiring a helping hand, even if it is just to be there nding with you We are so happy to have Kim with us and are equally as excited to share this spotlight with you
Maine News
Sidney Riverbend has some outside fun!
Sidney Staff and Participants enjoyed school break by participating a great deal in the Winter Olympics We created our own award-winning medals, watched the games and dreamed of one day being there as an athlete
We went sledding and pretended to be bobsledders and celebrated Milan with tasty fresh baked lasagna and pasta fagioli. In our down time, we went to the movies where we ate a lot of popcorn and enjoyed the movie Goat
During one of our Wednesday groups, we played a “Mission Impossible” competition with both staff and participants and learned new ways to communicate and work together. We are pretty big into trivia right now and learning how to navigate taking turns and not talking over each other.
We are excited to start using our pass to a different YMCA that is not only closer to us, but also offers a climbing wall and more activities for folks in our age group We have had a lot of fun getting outside in the evenings and running around the back yard and playing in the snow, but we think we are ready for warmer days to come
Spotlight
Dacoda Whitman Shift Supervisor Miller Terraces
Dacoda joined our agency on August 10, 2023, stepping into the role of Residential Counselor on the day shift. Although new to the field at the time, she quickly demonstrated exceptional dedication, curiosity, and compassion in her work. From her first weeks on the job, she showed a natural ability to connect with participants and support them with a high standard of care She serves as a cornerstone of the team, navigating challenges with remarkable grace and eager spirit.
In March of 2025, Dacoda was promoted to Shift Supervisor—a role in which she continues to excel Her leadership style is grounded in empathy, reliability, and a genuine passion for helping others grow. As a supervisor, she consistently demonstrates strong organizational skills, a willingness to jump in wherever needed, and a commitment to ensuring that the program runs smoothly and safely
During her time with us, Dacoda has embraced every opportunity to expand her knowledge and strengthen her credentials She is certified as an MHRT 1 and went on to obtain her Clinical Assistant certification through a local community college, entirely on her own initiative In addition, Dacoda proactively maintains her CRMA (Certified Residential Medication Aide) and CPR/FA credentials every two years alongside her annual SAFE certification Driven by a deep passion for professional development, she is eager to expand her clinical expertise and grow within the field
Dacoda’s daily contributions reach far beyond the expected She monitors safety, supports and encourages client treatment progress, and oversees the program’s activities and events calendar. Thanks to her creativity and attention to detail, in house celebrations such as staff anniversaries and client birthdays are meaningful, well-organized, and uplifting moments for everyone involved. Her humor, empathy, and impressive multitasking skills bring positivity and stability to the entire program
We are deeply grateful for everything Dacoda does for our participants and our team Her dedication, compassion, and drive to keep learning exemplify the values of our agency. Thank you, Dacoda, for your outstanding work and the heart you bring to it every day You make a tremendous difference, and we are fortunate to have you on our team!
Clinical Connections
Empowering Lives, Inspiring Hope
March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (NDDAM)
This month highlights the inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities with the theme "We’re Here Then, Now, Always "
This 2026 theme emphasizes that people with developmental disabilities have always been an integral part of our communities and will continue to be. It highlights the importance
Continuous Inclusion:Recognizing that community, accessibility, and opportunities should be championed every day, not just during the month of March
Essential Supports: Bringing attention to vital services like Medicaid, which provides home and community-based supports, transportation, and specialized healthcare.
Visibility: Sharing "a day in the life" stories to show individuals with lived experiences working, volunteering, and participating in everyday community
A Place to Belong: A Community Coming Together
Here is another wonderful example of how the NFI community pulls together Recently, Sherry Hill from Bradford had a vision for a mural she wanted to see in the THS Bradford recreation and exercise pod one that reflected everything she loves about the local community
Sherry reached out to Alex Hamer of THS Manchester to share her idea. After meeting and collaborating, Alex and Sherry brought the vision to life. Alex used his artistic talent to create the mural design, shared it with Sherry, and then carefully mapped it out on the wall. Once the outline was complete, Alex created a paint-bynumber palette to guide the process.
That’s when a Bradford participant stepped up and offered to take on the painting itself. After many hours of teamwork and dedication, the mural came to life. The finished mural features Mt. Sunapee, Lake Sunapee, and the Bradford Bridge—key landmarks that represent the community surrounding the program. Beyond celebrating the area, the mural also inspires wellness, highlighting stretching and meditation as ways to ground and strengthen both body and mind. A huge shout-out to Sherry, Alex, and the Bradford participant who helped make this possible. Thank you for coming together to create an inspirational mural that will be part of the Bradford community for many years to come.
