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TUR phases out GED program GED graduate profile Volunteer Spotlight Parent Ed Schedule More...
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Family Matters Summer/Fall 2013 1
36 Tsienneto Road, Derry, NH 03038
(603) 437-8477 ◦ www.urteachers.org www.facebook.com/urteachers ◦ Twitter: @urteacher Summer/Fall 2013
Family Matters
TUR phases out GED
program
1
Letter from the Executive
Director
2
GED Graduate Profile 3
Volunteer Spotlight 4
A World of Unknown
Boundaries
5
Upcoming Events 6
Parent Education
Schedule
7
Inside this issue:
The Upper Room joins the state in phasing out GED program
Beginning Fall of 2013, GED program replaced by HiSET program
Beginning in the fall 2013 semester,
The Upper Room, A Family
Resource Center (TUR), joins the
State of New Hampshire in
phasing out the GED (General Ed-
ucation Development) test in favor
of the HiSET (High School
Equivalency Test) program as its
exclusive provider of high school
equivalency testing. The HiSET
test measures the same
competencies as the current GED
test, but offers many advantages
including affordable test fees, making it a more
accessible option for TUR participants.
“The great new thing about HiSET is that it not only
identifies completers, but also indicates those who are
college and career ready. A plus for capable and bright
students who want to move on to higher education,”
said Brenda Guggisberg, TUR’s GED/HiSET coordina-
tor.
This past May, nearly 30 students graduated from
TUR’s GED program, and many plan to continue their
education at community colleges and trade schools.
Nineteen year-old Joey Palermo had a difficult time
adjusting to the challenges of a larger school after his
family moved during his senior year. He opted to try
It was a beautiful day for a celebration!
2013 GED graduates celebrate on May 31st.
» See GED/HiSET, Page 3
Supporting young families
TIPS prevents child abuse and neglect through education
Over twenty-five years ago the Teen Information for
Parenting Success program, or TIPS, launched The Up-
per Room in support of pregnant and parenting teens.
Through peer-to-peer support, parent education and
community resource and referrals, TIPS has impacted
the lives of countless Southern New Hampshire fami-
lies.
In 2013 alone, TIPS has given over fifty families, 129
moms, dads and children, the skills they need to
have happy, healthy relationships in their homes
and communities.
During her senior year, Samantha Mack, 19, was
introduced to TIPS by a Pinkerton Academy guid-
ance counselor, after she found out she was preg-
nant with her daughter.
“TIPS helped me a great deal. I had a difficult
pregnancy and a difficult time after I gave birth to
my daughter. The people in the program are a
» See TIPS, Page 6
Family Matters Summer/Fall 2013 2
Board of Directors
Kimberly Bavaro, Executive Director, The Upper Room
Jacob D. Wiesmann, Acting President,
Parkland Medical Center
Daryl Arsenault, Immediate Past President,
Citizens Bank
Marcia Briggs, Treasurer, Retired Teacher
Gale Stanley, Secretary, Centre School of Hampton
Jack Briggs, Retired, PSNH
Anne Engelhardt, Quilter
Katie Floyd, City Year
Heather Francouer, Citizens Bank
Michelle Keyworth, Greater Nashua Mental Health
John Oudjeusden, Promises to Keep
Jennifer Peabody, Peabody Funeral Home
Advisory Board
Donna Cavalieri, Centre School of Hampton
John Dulmage, Personal Financial Advisor
Through over a dozen programs and services,
The Upper Room offers education, support and
resources to help individual and families
“make it” in today’s world.
A Letter from the Executive Director
From the moment you
announce your pregnancy to
the world you are bombard-
ed with advice: sleep when the
baby sleeps, potty train by a
certain age, use discipline and
reward to raise a happy child,
etc. The well-meaning advice
comes from everywhere: your family and friends,
your pediatrician, and, increasingly, the internet.
It can be difficult to make sense of it all. It can be
even more difficult to know what is best for you
and your family.
Loving your child is instinctual, parenting is not.
Parenting is a learning process. Parent Education
classes, like those offered at The Upper Room (see
pg. 7 for a full schedule), are an important part of
that process.
Parent education bridges the gap between
broad parenting concepts and practical methods.
Through interaction with other parents, ongoing
reinforcement, and individualized support, you
can uncover what works best for you and your
family.
Parent education is not just for parents who face
severe problems with their children’s behavior.
Investing in a parent education class does not
mean that you are a “bad parent”. In fact, it
means that you are the very opposite.
Parent education is an investment in your
personal growth and your children’s future.
Committing time and resources to attend
parenting classes is an indication of a parent’s
dedication to their children and families.
Parents who attend classes often feel more confi-
dent and empowered in their parenting skills.
They are able to alleviate current issues and pre-
vent future problems. It’s a win-win for mom and
dad and the kids.
Sincerely,
Family Matters Summer/Fall 2013 3
2013 GED Graduate Profile
After eight months of preparation, twenty-nine candi-
dates took the GED exam and passed. On May 31, The
Upper Room celebrated their dedication and achieve-
ment with a graduation and celebration brunch. Special
thanks to Pinkerton Academy for supporting the cele-
bration brunch, guest speakers Bill Foye and Jacob
Wiesmann, and the parents, family and friends of the
graduates for their support.
Dylan Borrelli, 18
At 18, Dylan felt the world
crumbling around him. He
struggled to overcome
many personal obstacles,
including drug and alcohol
addiction, to make a better
life for himself. Dylan be-
came single-minded in his goal to get his GED and
move on to higher education.
At this year’s graduation ceremony, Dylan was award-
ed with Outstanding Achievement Award by TUR
teachers for his commitment to academic excellence.
“You can’t get anywhere without an education,” Dylan
remarked. “So, I put my head down and did the work”
Dylan is enrolled at Manchester Community College
for the fall and hopes to begin a career as a licensed
drug and alcohol counselor.
TUR’s program after researching alternative programs.
He thrived in the program because of the flexible
schedule and individual attention.
“If high school doesn’t seem right,” Joey said after the
2013 graduation ceremony. “Then look into a GED-
type program. Everyone fits somewhere.”
Through the support of the Granite United Way, Pink-
erton Academy and other funders, over 300 students
have graduated the program since it began ten years
ago. TUR offers this high school alternative, which pro-
vides individualized educational opportunities, career
exploration and self-development, to any student seek-
ing to advance their education.
New Hampshire is the second state to announce that it
will use the HiSET program and joins an increasing
number of states, educators, policymakers and em-
ployers looking for a high school proficiency exam that
includes elements critical to providing out-of-school
youth and adults with proof of their readiness for
higher education or the workplace.
For more information about the GED/HiSET program
visit the website at:
www.urteachers.org/programs-ged.
GED/HiSET
Continued from Page 1
Congratulations 2013 GED Graduates!
Kevin Bemis
Dylan Borelli*
Zachary Calabro
Jesse Collins
Kyle Coombs
Tyler Coombs
Gianna D’Allessandro
Michael Devine
Chelsea Geneau
Lindsay Kimball-
McInturff
Joshua Landry
Russell Lewis
Dennis Marion
Nathan Minor
Adam Nalen
Joseph Palermo
Meagan Peterson
Anthony Plourde
Gina Pucillo
Dillon Rodriguez
Shealynn Santagate
Alexis Stark
Taylor Stimson
Jonathan Taylor
Monica Teele
Jonathan Tryder
Joshua Weirman
Joseph Wilhelm
Nicholas Willette
*Awarded Outstanding Achievement Award
Family Matters Summer/Fall 2013 4
Volunteer Spotlight
The Greater Derry Juvenile Diversion program, now in
its 19th year, provides an alternative to court for first-
time juvenile offenders. After an in-depth intake inter-
view, youth and their family meets with the Communi-
ty Review (CR) Team, a dedicated team of volunteers,
to formulate a learning contract of tasks the youth must
accomplish to atone for their crimes.
The members of the CR Team listen, question, and em-
pathize with the youth, but still hold them accountable
for their actions. The CR Team is thoughtful in their
deliberations and creative in the development of the
contracts. The Greater Derry Juvenile Diversion pro-
gram could not do this work nor maintain a historically
low recidivism rate of 12.3% without the dedication of
the CR Team members. A heartfelt thanks to the CR
Patience and Empathy: Community Review Team serves unique justice to at-risk Rockingham youth
Team from everyone at The Upper Room, for your
dedication and service.
Pauline Blazon-Schulter 19 years
Patricia Kimplen 14 years
Laura Wilmoth 13 years
Corinne Dodge 11 years
Laura Noble 10 years
Susan Dionne 10 years
Jaqueline Paton 8 years
Jeremy Lane 8 years
Martin Paton 7 years
Daryl Arsenault 6 years
James T. Bavaro 5 years
Catherine DiCampo 5 years
Richard Gaudreau 4 years
Anna Helbling 3 years
Jane Alagna 3 years
Stephanie Howland 2 years
Frank LeBlanc Joined in 2013
Interested in joining the Community Review Team for
the Greater Derry Juvenile Diversion program? Contact
Diane Casale at (603) 437-8477 ext. 14 or email at
[email protected]. You can start making a differ-
ence in the lives of your community’s youth today! (Volunteer opportunities for the CR Team are limited and based on a
strict vetting process.)
“If, as a team, we can help one child or
young adult become a better person by
allowing them the opportunity to work
toward having their mistakes forgiven and
they pay it forward in the future, then we
have helped shape that life.” — CR Team
In Pictures
Special thanks to North Ridge Church for hosting a food drive and for
their generous food donation to TUR’s Food Pantry. A team of
volunteers stopped by with a busload of food on June 16th.
Pinkerton Academy volunteers from this year’s Youth Day of Giving
Back helped clean and organize TUR’s facilities. Over 30 students
spent May 21st aiding local nonprofits throughout Derry.
Family Matters Summer/Fall 2013 5
The Upper Room Funders
The participants, board and staff of The Upper Room offer our sincerest thanks for the generous support from the com-
munity. The Upper Room is a private, nonprofit organization serving nearly 15,000 individuals and families annually. This
work would not be possible without the generous contributions of individual donors, local businesses, foundations,
churches and community groups. THANK YOU!
Alexander Eastman Foundation
BAE Company & Employees
Bank of America
Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund
Brownell Financial Services
Citizens Bank
Cogswell Benevolent Trust
Daniel Webster Council
Dollar Bill’s Auction Outlet and Wholesale Co.
Derry News
Derry Rotary Club
Derry Village Rotary Club
First Parish Congregational Church
First Choice Networks
Give Back Foundation
Granite United Way
Greater Derry Track & Field
Halcyon Club
Ladies Benevolent Society
Liberty Mutual Company & Employees
Londonderry Rotary
Mom’s Club of Derry
NORA Systems
NorthStar Financial Planning
Revive Salon and Spa
Oak Foundation
Pinkerton Academy
Loretta Porter
Charlene Puzzo
RGK Foundation
Frank Robinson
TJX Fund
Towns of Chester, Derry, Londonderry and Salem
Women’s Fund of NH
A World of Unknown Boundaries: One Man’s Appalachian Trail Journey
On March 14, 2013, Londonderry native, Tom Bever,
set out on the journey of a lifetime: thru hike the
Appalachian Trail— 2,180 miles from Springer
Mountain, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin, Maine.
The hike fulfills Tom’s childhood dream, he’s been
hiking since he was three years-old, and also allows
him to flex his charitable muscles. Tom is hiking for a
cause: The Upper Room.
Family, friends and strangers can follow his journey
via www.hikerstories.com and contribute to The Up-
per Room. So far, Tom has raised over $2,200 for The
Upper Room’s programs and services with the goal of
raising $10,000 by the end of his hike.
Donations can be made directly to The Upper Room
by mail or online in Tom’s honor, or you can send
Tom a donation and care package at one of his mail
drops (more information can be found on his website).
As of Tom’s last up-
date in July, he offi-
cially passed 1,500
miles through Wash-
ington DC and Great
Barrington, MA.
He’s made many
friends, hiked in var-
ying conditions, and
never wavers in his
journey.
After a brief pit stop
in Londonderry for the 4th of July holiday, Tom con-
tinues his journey to Maine.
Everyone at The Upper Room is cheering Tom on!
Follow his trek at www.hikerstories.com.
Tom takes a break for ice cream.
Photo via: www.hikerstories.com
Family Matters Summer/Fall 2013 6
Upcoming TUR Events
DerryFest 2013
Saturday, September 21, 2013
10 am– 5 pm
MacGregor Park, Derry
Stop by our booth at this year’s
DerryFest and join the fun!
12th Annual Family Matters
Auction
“A Night in Paris”
Friday, November 1, 2013
6– 10 pm
Promises to Keep, Derry
Join us for a fun evening of food,
entertainment, auctions, raffles and
games with a Parisian flare. All
proceeds benefit TUR’s programs
and services. Tickets available online
now at www.urteachers.org.
great support system,” said Mack. “I've started
to make a better life for my daughter thanks to
the resources and help that I’ve received.”
TIPS program coordinator, Janis Lilly has seen
many changes in the last year, including more
active involvement of young dads.
“This year saw a record number of young fathers
attending the program and participants have
much greater educational success than those that
don’t participate,” commented Lilly. “We also know
that TIPS has a direct correlation to the fact that we currently do not have
any families with open DCYF abuse or neglect cases.”
Isolation, stress and worries about money can lead to abuse and neglect, es-
pecially in fragile families. TIPS reduces many of the risk factors for abuse
and neglect and empowers young parents to help themselves.
“My life is definitely better since being part of TIPS. I've grown into a better
person and a better mother,” remarked Mack. “TIPS is a safe place. You can
be yourself and not have to worry about being judged because you have a
child at a young age.”
TIPS is funded by the Alexander Eastman Foundation, Bank of America
Foundation, Citizens Bank Foundation, Heritage United Way, the Oak Foun-
dation, and the support of generous donors. To learn more about the TIPS
program or to help please visit the website:
www.urteachers.org/programs-tips.
Baby Matthew puts his best
foot forward for TIPS!
TIPS
Continued from Page 1
Family Matters Summer/Fall 2013 7
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