Goodwill NNE And AmeriCorps Celebrate The Dedication of AmeriCorps Members Across Northern New England

Goodwill Northern New England and AmeriCorps hosted a celebratory recognition event Thursday, July 10 at the Westbrook Community Center to honor the service and dedication of AmeriCorps members across northern New England. The event brought together AmeriCorps participants, program leaders, and community partners to reflect on the achievements of the past year and highlight the ongoing impact of national service.

The evening focused on members serving in a range of AmeriCorps programs supported by Goodwill NNE, including Public Health AmeriCorps, the AmeriCorps VISTA Program, Youth Development initiatives, and Manchester Excels. Steve Niles, AmeriCorps Program Director for Goodwill Northern New England, opened the event with welcoming remarks and introductions. Sherri Evans, Chief Financial Officer of Goodwill NNE, also addressed attendees, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to service and community engagement.

Emily Finkstrom, MSW, Executive Director of Fair Tide and Mainspring Collective in Kittery, represented the VISTA program and shared how her team and AmeriCorps members have worked to advance housing and social services in southern Maine. In the area of youth development, Fern Seiden, MSW, Director of Student and Staff Wellness at the Concord School District, and Nat Ridder, Assistant Principal at South Portland Middle School, spoke about how AmeriCorps members are supporting the health, well-being, and academic success of local students. Ridder spoke highly of the AmeriCorps members placed in his school, expressing how valuable their presence has been to both students and staff.

Andrea Campbell, M.Ed., Assistant Director of Field-Based Graduate Education Programs at Southern New Hampshire University, discussed the work being done through the Manchester Excels program. This 14-month initiative provides hands-on experience within the Manchester School District while members earn a master’s degree in secondary education from Southern New Hampshire University.

The recognition event served as a meaningful opportunity to thank AmeriCorps members for their dedication and to celebrate the wide-ranging impact they have on individuals, schools, and communities across the region.

Visit our AmeriCorps page for more information about AmeriCorps programs through Goodwill Northern New England.

Goodwill Northern New England is a local nonprofit dedicated to investing in people. Goodwill NNE provides comprehensive support to those facing barriers to achieving their work and life goals. Our Workforce Services serve thousands of individuals each year – including our own teammates! Our holistic approach to employment combines the best practices of social work and workforce development. Goodwill NNE stores embody our mission and drive sustainability through re-use, while offering good jobs and free supports to all employees. Goodwill NNE operates in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. For more information visit GoodwillNNE.org.