Summer, 2014 Volume 2, Issue 4

The
Compass
The Official Newsletter of Community Crossroads, Inc.
www.communitycrossroadsnh.org
Summer 2014
Guidance, Support and Advocacy News
Volume 2, Issue 4
The Power of One
25th Annual Golf Challenge - Coming Soon!
Don’t ever doubt the Power of One when
multiplied by the Power of Many, and the
unified momentum it can create. What
happened with Senate Bill 396, relative to
child restraint and seclusion practices in our
schools, is evidence of how many people
worked together to ensure the Bill’s passage.
The new law establishes critical basic health
and safety requirements to protect children,
our teachers, and support staff, and most
importantly will keep parents informed.
In October 1990, Community Crossroads (formally known as Region 10) held its first
golf tournament. It’s hard to believe 25 years have passed since that day. It started off
small - only 36 golfers, but each and every one told us what a great time they had. We
raised about $2,000 that year, not bad for our first event. Back then we were proud to
say that each and every penny raised went directly to the people
we serve. And 25 years later, the same holds true. 100% of the
proceeds made from our fundraising events go directly to support
our individuals and families.
My daughter was experiencing physical
restraints at school and I became concerned
for her safety, because often I was not told
of this until the next day. After reviewing
research and current law, I knew NH’s law
needed revision. Restraint and seclusion can
have serious consequences, including death.
It’s use has not been proven effective in
addressing behavioral issues in children.
The Power of One: Concern had been growing
around the use of R&S, and I had heard of
the work done by the Jaffrey-Rindge Chapter
of ABLE-NH to change policies in that school
district. In my role as Policy Chair at the NH
Council on Disabilities and as an ABLE-NH
member myself, I contacted Mike Skibbie at
the Disability Rights Center to see what could
be done, and through that initial collaboration
SB396 was born.
The Power of Many: Mike Skibbie used his
legal expertise to craft the language of the
Bill. It was circulated among educators,
providers, legislators and oth
other stakeholders
for input. The
language was
worked so as to
address concerns
without undermining schools,
kids or parents.
I led the effort
to coordinate
testimony on
Jenn
Je
nn Bertrand
Ber
B
ertr
tran
andd
Legislative Liaison,
Community Crossroads
Continued on page 5
So much fun and great golf!
Join us for the Golf Challenge
Candia Woods Golf Links,
Candia, New Hampshire
Many golfers have been with us since the beginning, but we’ve
been fortunate to meet many new people over the years. Oh, how
we’ve grown (last year we had 134 golfers and raised over $21,000)
but one thing that remains the same is how great our tournaments
are. We take pride in making each one better than the last; an
event our golfers look forward to year after year.
With that in mind, join us as we gear up for
our 25th celebration. Mark your calendars
for September 11, 2014 at Candia Woods
Golf Links, Candia, NH.
Sign up to play, invite your golf buddies to
join you, encourage your business associates
to become sponsors, make a donation, or just
help us spread the word. If you need more
information, contact us at 603-893-1299,
and ask for a member of the golf committee..
Remember, the Golf Challenge is one of our
most successful events, and the secret to
that success lies within each and every one
of you who make our tournaments possible.
Join us in September. We look forward to
seeing you on the course!
In this issue...
Annual Golf Challenge
Power of One
Meet the Staff
Events, Happenings, Recognition
People Power Post
Emphasis on Employment
1
1
2
3
3
4
Getting Involved
Project START News
Silent Auction 2014
Auction Donors
Save the Dates
4
5
6
7
8
Agency Staff
NAME
EXT.
Angela Boyle
Amanda Brand
Theresa Cadorette
Tom Call
Leslie Coughlin
Jennifer Crosley
Kathy Dery
Mariellen DiIeso
Bill Dillon
Tammy Dudal
Carole Fongemie
Jacqueline Gilbert
Karen Hatch
Jinelle Hobson
Kristine Houle
Deanna Johnson
344
329
321
316
327
346
302
318
317
326
307
325
313
311
330
323
Don Johnson
Kelly Judson
Jane Keay
David Kennedy
Linda Leahy
Cynthia Mahar
Stacy Merriam
Nancy Papanikalaou
306
331
348
333
324
341
337
319
Aleece Pappas
Tina Paquin
Dennis Powers
Sheila Prunier
Chris Roy
Sarah Snyder
322
332
315
306
312
340
Carole Thibodeau
Anita Trudel
Cathy Wahl
Dianna Winward
Anne Zahn
336
334
320
314
343
Each of our dedicated
staff members
can be reached
at 603-893-1299
2
Meet the staff
Jane Keay
I am the newest Choices For Independence (CFI) Independent
Service Coordinator. After working in the non-profit field since
1981, I am very happy and proud to have landed here at Community
Crossroads. My most recent position was with Gateways for Seniors
for the past five years. I was a care coordinator for CFI and Private
Pay people served in Rockingham County, and also did some
marketing for the Private Pay program. I spent time at an agency
before that, working with people in crisis and who needed housing.
I feel privileged assisting people within the Choices for Independence
program here at Community Crossroads. To be able to support and
advocate for adults so they can stay in their own homes for as long
as possible is a wonderful goal.
Jane Keay
Ja
K
Thank you all for such a warm welcome.
Karen Hatch
My name is Karen Hatch. I am married with a fabulous 11 year old
daughter. I want to say how excited I am to start a new venture as
a Service Coordinator for Community Crossroads. I just retired from
a 25 year career in public service. Prior to that, I worked with many
people in various job capacities throughout my life and developed
a love of working with people of all abilities.
As my daughter grew, my passion to work with individuals who
experience disabilities also grew. I love helping people access proper
supports and services which will help them on their life’s journey
and help them reach their goals and live their dreams. I began
taking courses to help me navigate the many phases of helping
people experience a good life. I took the volunteer advocacy
training offered by the Parent Information Center, learning how to
help people navigate the education system and advocate for
themselves. I completed NH Leadership Training offered by the
Institute on Disability where I learned how important it is for
families to be involved in educating our elected officials on what
people with disabilites need to be successful in the community.
I have also taken the Direct Support Professional Certificate
program offered by NHTI, where I learned how to meaningfully
and effectively support the lives of individuals with disabilities.
When my daughter was born, I recall how nervous my husband
and I were. When she turned three, we didn’t know how best to
support her so she could go to school and access our community.
We received a call from a Service Coordinator at Community
Crossroads (known as Region 10 back then) and she helped us
access supports so our family could learn how to help our daughter
participate in school and in the community. I remember getting
that call at just the right time, so the agency has a special place
in my family’s heart. Who knew years later that I would be drawn
to work as a Service Coordinator for the very agency that helped
us begin the process of maneuvering the maze of services and
supporting our daughter to reach her life’s goals and dreams.
I feel honored to be a part of such a wonderful organization. I
look forward to working with people who experience disabilities
and their families so they can lives the life they choose to live.
Ka
Hatc
tchh
Karen Ha
Hatch
Events, Happenings and Recognition
Megan Oliviero Completes LEND Training
We are very proud to announce that Megan Oliviero has completed the LEND
Program through the University of New Hampshire.
For the second year in a row,
Community Crossroads served
d
as a Leadership In Action
site for a LEND participant
interested in public policy
issues. This year we had the
great fortune to work with
Megan who provided support
to our Public Policy
Committee under the
guidance of our Policy
Coordinator Jenn Bertrand.
People Power Post
The April dance was well attended
with everyone up on the new dance
floor at the Atkinson Community
Center dancing the night away!
Our group can hardly wait for the
August 15th “Summer Wipe Out”
dance from 7-9:00 PM, also at this
venue. We hope to see you there.
At the May People Power meeting, the
group said a sad farewell to our longtime Supervising Advisor Judy Crane.
We wished her well on her retirement.
We now welcome Sara Blaine as our
new Supervising Advisor. She comes to
us with experience as a former advisor,
and we welcome her back.
Megan Oliviero
Meg
Olivie
Oli
viero with
with Community
C
Communi
unity
ty Crossroads’
Crossroad
Cro
oads’
s’ Policy
Policy Coordinator,
Coord
Co
ordina
inator
tor,, Jenn
J
Bertrand
Bertr
Be
rtrand
and
Megan and Jennifer are
pictured above at the recent
LEND Capstone Presentation
in front of the poster describing
her experience here at Community Crossroads.
LEND stands for Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities
and is a 9 month program to help train people to work in the field of Maternal and
Child Health. Trainees come from a variety of professional and graduate study fields,
as well as being people who have experience as a family member or person who has
a disability. NH LEND is housed at the University of New Hampshire and is part
of the Institute on Disability and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.
Thank you Megan and Good Luck! You have a bright future ahead.
Bran-the-Man
Community
L to
to R:
R: Co
Commu
mmunit
nityy Crossroads’
Crossro
Cros
sroads
ads’’ CEO
CEO Dennis
Dennis Powers,
Power
Po
wers,
s,
Brandyn Pellerin, Crystal Polizotti and
Community Crossroads’ Executive Director Cynthia Mahar
Community Crossroads is greatly
appreciative to Brandyn Pellerin
and his fundraising project,
Bran-the-Man - Giving Back.
Through his charitable project, he
has donated $500.00 to our agency!
Brandyn and his support person
Crystal Polizotti offered chances
at winning a signed Milan Lucic
jersey. Cynthia Mahar and Dennis
Powers attended the presentation
dinner at T-Bones restaurant in
Salem, NH, where Brandyn and
Crystal presented the check. One
hundred percent of Brandyn’s
donation will go toward supporting
individuals served by Community
Crossroads and their families.
The June meeting was abuzz with lots
of things happening. Patrick McCarthy,
who is hearing impaired and learning
sign language himself, gave a lesson to
the group in basic signs. We also
reviewed our by-laws and voted for
new officers.
Our groups’ 20th Anniversary is
June 6th. We are planning a celebration,
so stay tuned for details. Co-advisors
Dianna Winward and Jo Pagel attended
the 2nd annual Learn It! Live It! Love It!
advocacy conference and have lots of
info to share at the July meeting.
Autumn is always a busy time for us
with our October movie/dinner at
Chunky’s, and the “Falling Leaves”
dance on November 21st.
We are a fun, lively self-advocacy
group and always welcome new
members. You must be age 21 or older.
People Power is sponsored by
Community Crossroads and meets on
the first Thursday of every month
from 6:00PM - 8:00PM at the
Hampstead Library.
Join Us!
For further
information
on any of these
events, call
Dianna Winward
at 603-893-1299,
ext. 314.
3
Getting Involved
Emphasis on Employment
With growing caseloads and
tighter budgets, it’s more
important than ever to be
involoved. While we have a
long history of activism in
New Hampshire, our
community-based, personcentered system is constantly
by Jenn Bertrand
being challenged. If we are
going to ensure responsible funding, policies,
and programs we have to educate ourselves
and engage. In last issue’s Compass article we
explored what it means to get involved by
getting to know your legislators. This issue, we
will learn about legislative hearings.
Attending a Legislative Public Hearing
Legislative committees do the “real” work of
NH government, as this is where bills are
considered, studied, and modified. The process
begins with a public hearing. NH requires a
hearing on every bill. The hearings are public,
and you can observe, sign in for or against a
bill, provide written or oral testimony to support
your position on whether a bill should pass or
be “killed”. Hearings take place in either the
Legislative Office Building (LOB) or in the
State House itself. The hearing is your chance
to educate your government. Your stories, your
experience, your expertise is often the missing
piece legislators need to make informed choice
on each bill. They cannot possibly know everything about every issue that comes before them.
On the issue of living with disability, you are
the expert. Your point of view can have a
significant impact on the outcome of a bill. And
like anything else, the more people who show
up and take a position, the more likely the
legislators are to listen to the majority voice.
Some dates are posted on the House and Senate
calendars, www.gencourt.state.nh.us. There
must be at least 24 hours notice of a hearing.
The legislative session begins in January and
runs through early June. Plan to attend a
hearing on an issue you care about in the next
session. You can’t expect policy makers to be
informed about issues important to you unless
you take some time to educate them.
In our next installment, I will share
tips for writing a letter of testimony
For more information
by Dee Johnson
Community Crossroads’
ds’
Employment Specialist
An Extraordinarily Ordinary Life!
Submitted by Cynthia Mahar
Dan and I first met each other when we were quite young and only a
couple of years out of high school. We were both starting our pursuit in
life to being an active and independent adult (or so we thought!). Dan
wanted to learn to take the bus home from his job in Lawrence and it
was my pleasure to assist him in that pursuit. I was in my first internship
through Northern Essex Community College. It wasn’t long before I
realized how eager and capable he would be in tackling this adventure
in his life. The last time I watched Dan get on the bus, I never expected
that our paths would cross again. But about a decade later, a man drove
up to the then “Region 10” agency office in his own car. I was surprised,
but not shocked, to see that it was Dan Buck who was driving.
The other day, while I
was taking my evening
walk, I was thinking
about all the talented
and inspiring families
and people with
disabilities who I have
had the pleasure of
seeing tell their stories
in a variety of venues.
I began thinking about
Dan and all that he has
accomplished. Dan’s story
is one that could be an
inspiration to many. It
is an amazing story about
a very ordinary life.
Cynthia Mahar and her good friend, Dan Buck
Fast forward to 2014. Dan is a long-term employee of the United State’s Post
Office and a recipient of all the great benefits associated with being a federal
employee. He has been a hard working and dedicated employee for over 25
years. Dan owns his own home, is married, and has an 18 year old son!
Some may say, “Well, what’s so special about that?” Dan has overcome many
of the obstacles society imposes on people that can impede their ability to
achieve certain milestones in life. Dan has a developmental disability, he
attended special education classes in school, and has received minimal
support from Community Crossroads and Living Innovations to deal with
some of the many challenges employment, parenting, and home ownership
can send our way. Dan has never been one to stand up in front of a crowd
and speak publicly about his accomplishments. He is a quiet, unassuming
man, who is living the ordinary American Dream! My hat goes off to Dan
for being a great friend, son, father, husband, employee, and for having the
work ethic and courage to achieve that American Dream.
Contact Jenn:
jbertrand@communitycrossroadsnh.org
4
Cynthia Mahar is currently Community Crossroads’ Executive Director
by Jennifer Crosley
Project START News
Community Crossroads’
ds’
Clinical Coordinator/
START Team Leader
Exciting things are happeing at Community Crossroads and the Center for START Services.
START is an international comprehensive model program that strives to bridge the gap between
services for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental health needs in
the community. By increasing the support, resources, and access to evaluations, as well as
offering systemic crisis planning and advanced clinical knowledge, START works to increase
independence, health, happiness, and overall success.
Here at Community Crossroads, I have had the privilege of being involoved in the START
program for nearly 3 years. I became a certified coordinator in the summer of 2013, and have
seen the initiative grow throughout New Hampshire in tremendous ways. I was honored and
excited to be recently promoted to be the Clinical Coordinator here at Community Crossroads,
as well as the NH START Southern Collaborative Team Leader, where I will help to oversee
the START coordinators at Community Crossroads, One Sky, and Community Partners. I am
beyond grateful for the endless support and guidance that Community Crossroads and the
Center for START Services have provided.
It is with great pleasure that I announce Sarah Snyder’s recent acceptance
of the START Intern position. She has been a Service Coordinator here for
nearly 2 years, and has brought an incredible skill set on board. During her
internship with START, she will undergo intensive clinical training that
will assist in sharpening her knowledge and experience in the realms of
individuals with dual diagnoses. I have every confidence that Sarah will be
an invaluable addition to NH START.
Sarah Snyder
START Coordinator Intern
The Power of One
For more information, please visit www.centerforstartservices.org,
or call Jennifer or Sarah at 603-893-1299.
Continued from Cover
behalf of parents and mobilized stakeholders across the state to contact and ask their House Representatives to support
this Bill once it easily passed through the Senate. I encouraged as many people as possible to attend one or all of the
hearings throughout the process to ensure our voices were heard. Using the Power of Many, we flooded committee
members’ phone lines seeking their support of the Bill, and on May 6th, the committee voted unanimously in favor of
a slightly amended version of SB396. It passed the full House on May 14th and is expected to be signed into law by the
Governor when it reaches her desk.
Never underestimate the Power of One to get things rolling. Have courage. Take that first step, and be amazed at how
others of a like mind fall in behind you, multiplying your intention to become the Power of Many. We can make the
changes we want and people with disabilities need. Each of us has that power within us.
For more information, contact Jenn Bertrand at jbertrand @communitycrossroadsnh.org
“If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito.”
Author Unknown
5
Agency
Governance
Important
News
Board of Directors
Officers
Kenneth Ferreira Jr., President
Londonderry
Linda Steir, Vice President
Atkinson
Kathleen Dayotis, Secretary
Atkinson
Silent Auction 2014 The Best One Yet!
We did it this time! Our 11th Annual Silent Auction
was a smashing success! Every year the Silent Auction
Committee tries to outdo itself, and with the support
of our families, individuals, staff, Board of Directors,
vendors and countless community members and
businesses - we did it!
Marion Donahue, Treasurer
Hampstead
Members
Edward Adamsky
Pelham
Lorraine Butler
Derry
Colleen Demers
From the moment we entered the elegant Castleton’s
front door and were warmly greeted by Meghann Dinsmore,
a lovely young woman, and her Mom - to the complimentary
wine tasting provided by The Imported Grape, to the
tempting Candy Table decorated by Sandy Moulton, to the
checkout at evening’s end, it was fun, food and top-notch
entertainment by Bay Road.
Linda Leahy
Linda
Leahy is greeted
greete
etedd by
b
Meghann Dinsmore
Pelham
James Dickerson
Salem
Cathy Forgit
Hampstead
Laurie Giguere, FSC Liaison
Salem
Robin Knight
Sandown
Elaine Lavin
Salem
Kathy Murphy
Chester
Cathy Spinney
Pelham
Barbara Strzykalski
Bay Ro
Road
ad once agai
again
gain provide
provided
idedd the
the evening’s
evenin
ning’s
g’s entertainment
enter
tertai
tainment
nt
Atkinson
James Watson
Derry
Family Support Council
Officers
Laurie Giguere, Chair
Salem
Lynne Aboujaoude, Vice-Chair
Pelham
Robin Knight, Secretary
Sandown
How do we say “thank you” for the
overwhelming generosity? With all
our hearts. We are so grateful to each
and every one of you and our Corporate
Sponsors Enterprise Bank and Life
Visions for your contributions to
reaching our Auction goal of $20,000!
Every single penny will go to enriching
the lives of families and individuals
served through Community Crossroads.
Beautiful Candy Table decorated by Sandy Moulton
Members
Karen Carr
Sandown
Save the Date
Carol Dabrowski
Derry
Katie Everett
Windham
Susan Nyberg
Chester
Aleece Pappas
Salem
Mariellen Rowe
Derry
Karen Ventola
Windham
6
With this kind of success behind us, we wasted no time
in booking the Castleton Banquet and Conference Center
in Windham again for next year. Plan to join us for the
12th Annual Silent Auction on Thursday May 7, 2015.
We hope to see you there with friends and family we promise another unforgettable fundraising evening
of making memories!
Stay tuned.
Gus Moral of The Imported Grape
at the wine-tasting table
With gratitude to our sponsors and supporters . . .
Auction Donors
Community Crossroads is grateful to the
following list of donors:
The view of Cobbett’s Pond from the front door of the beautiful
Castleton Banquet and Conference Center in Windham
Having fun at the Life Visions Table
The happy winner of our Wine Table Raffle
abunda
ndance of te
terri
rrific
fic items
it
bid on
o - something
somet
methin
hingg for
f everyone
An abu
abundance
terrific
to bid
Debbie & Daniel Abate
Bean Family
Brenda Berkal, DMD
Bleu Tangerine, Hampstead
Bob’s Discount Furniture, Manchester
Boston Duck Tours, Boston
Armand Boutin
Amanda Brand
Lunch Bunch
Burlington MA Quilters Guild
Canobie Lake Park, Salem
Chocolate Moose, Salem
Comm. Crossroads Fundraising Committee
Comm. Crossroads Development Committee
Richard & Mary Consoli
Costa’s European Salon, Salem
Judith Crane
Currier Museum of Art, Manchester
D.J. Rogers Collision Center LLC, Windham
Laurie & Rod Daily
Sharon Dancona
DeCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, Lincoln
Bill & Ann Dillon
Marion Donahue
Dot To Dot Doos, Hampstead
ECO Salon, Londonderry
Enterprise Bank, Salem
Chris Fram
Mark & Roberta Fuller
Fun Spot, Weirs Beach
Jocelyn Gallant
Patty Granz
Gym-Ken Gymnastics, Inc., Windham
Hampstead Animal Hospital, Hampstead
Karen Hill
Leah and Lyndsay Hobson
James M. Holland, DMD, Hampstead
Kristine Houle and Family
Home Helpers, Londonderry
J. Michael’s Sports Pub, Windham
JFK Presidential Library & Museum, Boston
Dee & Don Johnson
Irek Karczmarczyk
Kimi Nichols Center, Plaistow
Fran & Paul Kuchar
LaserCraze, No. Andover
Laser Quest Danvers, Danvers
Denis & Elaine Lavin
Linda & Ken Leahy
Terri & Tom Lianza
Life Visions, Atkinson
Londonderry Country Club, Londonderry
Lui Lui, Nashua
Maddie’s Bagel & Eatery, Salem
Cynthia Mahar
MAS Home Care of NH, Manchester
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, Concord
Merrianne McDonald
Melanie McKay
Pat & Frank Mulone
Nancy Murphy
Muse Paintbar, Manchester
My Dentist, Londonderry
North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly
Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit
Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge
Laurie Ota
Bea Pappas
Tina and Paul Paquin
Peabody Essex Museum, Salem
Lory Pease
Pentucket Bank, Hampstead
Jodi Perrow
Pilgrim Lanes & Funtime Arcade
Dennis Powers
Regency Home Health LLC, Manchester
Residential Resources, Manchester
Robert Richards
RMON Networks, Plaistow
Rockingham County Sherriff’s Office
Chris Roy
S.E. Cummings & Associates, Inc.
Salem Wax Museum, Salem
Salon 322, Haverhill
SarahCare Adult Day Services, Hampstead
SARC, Salem
Sue Scovotti
Searles Castle at Windham
Secrets Salon & Spa
SEE Science Center, Manchester
Service Link, Atkinson
Homer Shannon
Shaw’s, Windham
Simply Sandy, Pelham
Six Flags New England, Agawam
Sarah Snyder
Patty Spakowski
Cathy Spinney
Story Land, Glen
T-Bones & Cactus Jack’s, Bedford
TD Bank, Hampstead
The Imported Grape, LLC, Bedford
The Southwick Zoo, Mendon
Anita Trudel
Tuscan Kitchen, Salem
Two Guys Smoke Shop, Salem
USS Constitution Museum, Boston
Van Otis Chocolates, Manchester
Vertical Dreams, Manchester
Windham Jewelers, Inc., E. Hampstead
Woodland Wood Works, E. Hampstead
Lorraine & Bob Wysocki
Zorvino Vineyards, Sandown
7
NON PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE PD
ATKINSON, NH
PERMIT 36
8 Commerce Drive, Ste 801, Atkinson, New Hampshire 03811
Save the Dates
st
25th Annual Golf Challenge
Thursday, September 11th, 2014
Candia Woods Golf Links, Candia, NH
Community Partnership Celebration
Thursday, October 9th from 6 PM to 9 PM
Atkinson Country Club, Atkinson, NH
W
e
sda
e
dn
be
o
t
c
O
,
y
r1
2nd Annual Flu Shot Clinic
at Community Crossroads
Community Crossroads in partnership with Rockingham
Service Link will be hosting a Flu Shot Clinic at the
Community Crossroads’ office located at
8 Commerce Drive in Atkinson.
This FREE clinic is held on a first come, first served basis.
To register, please call 603-893-9769 between the
hours of 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday
For more information please visit our website at www.communitycrossroadsnh.org or call (603) 893-1299