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NEWS AT SOUTHEASTERN NH SERVICES
June 2023:
Southeastern New Hampshire Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services Enhances Residential Facility with Grant from Kennebunk Savings Bank
Dover, NH – [June 6, 2023] – Southeastern New Hampshire Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services (SENHS) is thrilled to announce the receipt of a $9,635 grant from Kennebunk Savings Bank, enabling the nonprofit organization to embark on significant renovations to its residential facility (Turning Point). Notably, the renovation project includes the installation of new computers aimed at supporting clients’ job search efforts as they reintegrate into the community during their early recovery.
The generous grant from Kennebunk Savings Bank underscores the bank’s commitment to fostering community well-being and supporting organizations dedicated to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. SENHS is deeply appreciative of this contribution, which will directly benefit individuals and families in Southeastern New Hampshire who are navigating the challenges of addiction and recovery.
“The support from Kennebunk Savings Bank has been instrumental in expanding opportunities for our residential clients,” said Jon Cheyne, Executive Director of SENHS. “The addition of new computers will empower our clients as they transition back into the community, providing them with essential tools for job searching while they solidify their early recovery.”
In addition to providing comprehensive substance use disorder treatment and recovery services, SENHS is committed to supporting clients’ successful reintegration into our NH communities. The new computers will offer clients access to online job search resources, resume building tools, access to community resources and programs, and skills training programs, facilitating their journey towards sustainable employment and financial independence.
The renovation project reflects SENHS’s dedication to creating an environment that fosters healing, growth, and empowerment for individuals in recovery. By investing in resources that address the holistic needs of its clients, SENHS continues to uphold its mission of promoting lasting wellness and recovery.
Learn more about Kennebunk Savings Bank’s community impact here.
November 2022:
SENHS Board Incentivizes Year End Giving with $10,000 Match
DOVER, NH —Southeastern NH Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services 10-member Board of Trustees is incentivizing donors with a $10,000 match pledge for the year-end giving season.
The Dover-based nonprofit has been providing outpatient and residential treatment for those struggling with substance use disorders since 1979. Like most nonprofits, the bulk of community contributions are received during November and December. These gifts help to cover operational costs of the life-changing work SENHS provides to those seeking a better life in recovery.
With the grim milestone of 100,000 nationwide annual opioid-related deaths reached announced this time last year, services of agencies like SENHS are increasingly critical to the New Hampshire communities most affected by addiction. In addition to treating over 600 Granite Staters last year, SENHS has also opened 12 new beds in a renovated sober living space for those in requiring affordable, recovery-based housing.
Given the unpredictability and complicated nature of Government funding, personal and corporate donations are sought to match this challenge pledge. Community support for the drug and alcohol treatment facility is vital, given that private donations accounted for nearly 98% of giving last fiscal year. Contributions made before and after Giving Tuesday (a national day of charitable giving taking place on Tuesday, November 29) until year’s end will allow SENHS to further expand its programming and maintain its ability to treat individuals, regardless of their ability to pay.
Your donations can be made online or at senhs.org or by calling (603) 516-8185.
June 2022:
Southeastern New Hampshire Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services to Renovate County Facility for Sober Housing
Dover, NH – Southeastern New Hampshire Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, a provider of addiction recovery treatment since 1979, is pleased to announce the renovation of their facility for the addition of 12 much needed male sober house beds. This board-approved update of the facility will offer male residents a structured but convivial environment focused on sobriety along with adjacent treatment resources.
The Kane House, named in honor of Southeastern’s twenty-year Board veteran Dr. Lawrence Kane, will be located in the historic county complex (272 County Farm Rd), conveniently nearby the Coast bus route. The Kane House will provide a safe, comfortable, and nurturing environment for men recovering from substance abuse problems.
The need for sober housing in NH is critical. The NH Coalition of Recovery Residences places the number of certified beds for men and women combined at less than 1,000 statewide. Statistics show that up to 85% of individuals new to recovery relapse within their first year. Oftentimes individuals in their initial months of recovery will resume their day-to-day lives that they lived prior to recovery with the expectation that they can continue to live life as normal without using drugs and alcohol. The first year of recovery is especially fragile and meaningful. Studies suggest that once an individual is able to maintain 12 months of abstinence, their chances of continued long-term success in sobriety dramatically increase.
Denise Elwart, Executive Director of Southeastern New Hampshire Services, sees the project as an opportunity to address an overwhelming need in the recovery community. “We often see clients struggling to find a safe and affordable living space where they can continue their treatment in a supportive environment, during what is arguably the most important periods in early recovery,” Elwart says of the individuals who progress through SENHS’s 28-bed residential program, “Too often we see clients go into homeless shelters after leaving our Turning Point program, which we know makes them more incredibly vulnerable to relapse.” However, the NH Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Medicaid caps the Turning Point program at 90 days. This sober house can provide a continuum of care for a step-down approach as individuals progress during recovery. Staying in residence for a longer period of time may improve the foundation for long-term recovery.
The men’s house will be renovated with the help of gifts from Chinburg Properties and the Newburyport Bank Charitable Foundation. President and CEO of Newburyport Bank Lloyd Hamm identified the sober house expansion project as an opportunity to bolster the continuum of care in treating substance use disorder in the state. “We at Newburyport Bank could not be more pleased to partner with both SENHS and key philanthropic partners in our community to bring this Sober Living Facility from vision to a reality,” says Hamm. “We all have been touched both directly and indirectly by the challenges associated with addiction and recovery, and understand the importance of the continuance of support and care to help our community members achieve the positive life outcomes that occur living successfully without addiction.”
The Kane House will be available for residents who desire long term recovery in a setting that encourages personal growth while maintaining sobriety. The updated facility will offer residents the support and structure they need to continue cementing their early sobriety while fostering a sense of individual empowerment. Residents will be encouraged to continue treatment, seek out help from their peers in the facility, and to find work or continue their education in order to increase the chances of a successful integration with society without a relapse.
Jennifer and Eric Chinburg, owners of Chinburg Properties, are keen supporters of recovery efforts in the area, including Southeastern’s new project: “Eric and I are both very pleased to be able to help contribute to comfortable housing for individuals who are in transition from rehab to sober living. We understand how important it is to have a supportive community who are all working toward the same goal of living in sobriety. We value the SENHS impact in tackling and expanding its impact by providing this safe space.”
Residents will benefit from the aftercare resources at Southeastern, which include DUI/DWI education to work toward re-acquiring driving privileges and outpatient drug and alcohol abuse counseling. In addition to the outpatient services located at the adjacent Southeastern NH Services offices, the Kane House is uniquely positioned in a community full of peer recovery support networks—including Dover’s Triangle Club, SOS Recovery, and several well-attended 12 Step meetings.
Furniture for the project was graciously donated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston of the Fontbonne Academy in Milton, MA.
Renovation is due to commence in June, with a grand opening in late Q3 of 2022.
For questions about the project or how you can contribute to Southeastern NH Service’s efforts, please visit senhs.org/donate or contact Ryan Brander, Development Director, at development@senhs.org.
To learn more about Newburypoint Bank, please visit: https://www.newburyportbank.com/
To learn more about Chinburg Properties, please visit: https://chinburg.com/
December 2021:
Southeastern New Hampshire services receives $10,000 fundraising pledge
Southeastern New Hampshire Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services is slated to match up to $10,000 in contributions thanks to a pledged donation from longtime Board Vice Chair and friend Dr. Lawrence Kane.
“This is a great opportunity to recover from the COVID-19 giving slump,” said Ryan Brander, Development Coordinator at SENHS. “As we near the end of the giving season, matched donations can help us reach our funding goal to get our 2022 off to a solid financial start.” While many donors have already shown their support for Southeastern’s mission on Giving Tuesday, supporters can expect their contribution to be matched until December 31, 2021 or until $10,000 is raised.
The influx of donations comes at a critical time. According to Clinical Director Laurie Meehan, “the dawn of the cold weather season sees a spike in the number of unhoused and struggling individuals seeking treatment.” As the only low-intensity residential addiction treatment facility in Strafford County, Southeastern’s Turning Point program affords those seeking services for substance use disorder up to 90 days to stabilize in their early recovery. In addition to outpatient alcohol and drug counseling, their substance use disorder programming also includes group sessions for women, clinical care for Strafford County Drug Court participants, and impaired driving assessments and education. These services are provided to New Hampshire residents regardless of their ability to pay—reflected in the fact that over 70% of their clients are below the federal poverty line.
Dr. Lawrence Kane is a 20-year Southeastern Board veteran and retired Wentworth Douglass Hospital and Frisbie Hospital radiologist. “I believe Southeastern is a house of hope,” Dr. Kane stated. “It is my privilege to give in order to support their work.”
November 2021:
SENHS is happy to announce that it has been designated a
Recovery Friendly Workplace by New Hampshire Governer Chris Sununu.
Recovery Friendly Workplace by New Hampshire Governer Chris Sununu.“Southeastern New Hampshire Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services is wholeheartedly committed to fostering a healthy, safe and stigma-free environment through our participation in the NH Governor’s Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) Initiative. Given the nature of our mission, to provide expert treatment to those suffering from substance use disorder, our empathy and attentive consideration must also extend to those employees who make our work possible. Recovery Friendly Workplaces encourage environments where employers, employees, volunteers, and communities, can collaborate to create positive change and eliminate barriers for those impacted by addiction.
Though we realize that asking for help can be a monumental step, please know that as an organization the health and welfare of our employees comes first. You are not alone. Help is available”
October 2021:
Southeastern New Hampshire Services is proud to announce the promotion of Deanna Bradley, a five-year SENHS veteran, to the role of Residential Director. Originally from Arkansas, Deanna went to school in Monroe, LA where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. She then moved to New Hampshire in 2013 while still working on her Master’s Degree in Clinical and Mental Health through ULM. After graduating in 2016, Deanna received a job offer from SENHS to be a counselor for Drug Court, during which time she successfully completed her MLADC certification. She then transitioned to Turning Point as a residential counselor and has been in that role for 2 and half years until recently accepting the offer as program director.
Congratulations on the promotion and more than five years with SENHS. What keeps you engaged with the work you do here?
“What has kept me interested in the work is having the opportunity to make a difference in the life of someone that has been struggling with substances and any underlying issues in which the client struggles that may have been the catalyst to their use. I appreciate that SENHS believes that every individual has the ability to heal through the process of treatment and recovery and we can provide that with our evidence based practices. I also appreciate the support and encouragement that I receive from working at SENHS.”
Can you share a proud moment you’ve had while working at SENHS?
“I have had more than one proud moment at SENHS, one of them being provided the guidance that I needed to acquire my license of MLADC. I am also proud of the fact that I have been recognized for the hard work and dedication of my role as a counselor which has allowed me to transition within the agency to different roles. I began in drug court (2.1) and transitioned to Turning Point (3.1), and recently to a program director for 3.1. I am also proud of any feedback that I have received from any clients that I have represented letting me know how being their counselor has made a difference in their lives and that alone lets me know that I am serving them well, and what I also felt I was meant to do, which is one of my purposes in life of helping others.”
September 2021:
SENHS is excited to announce that Ryan Brander has joined the team as Development Coordinator. Ryan, whose background is in marketing and public relations, has more than six years experience working closely with nonprofits in the New England area and beyond. In his position, Ryan will oversee donor relations and outreach, as well as ensuring that SENHS communicates effectively with its community constituents–both with its digital platforms and traditional channels.
For inquiries about donor relations, corporate sponsorship opportunities, general giving, our website, how you can volunteer, or any other related topics, please email Ryan Brander at rbrander@co.strafford.nh.us or call (603) 516-8185.
June 2021:
SENHS receives anonymous donation in honor of Board of Trustee member Dr. Larry Kane! A supporter of SENHS generously donated $25,000 in honor of Dr. Larry Kane for all his charitable activities and dedication to SENHS and our mission. Dr. Kane has been a board member since September 2000 and is a regular speaker. He is also our Vice-Chair, and volunteers on the Finance and Development Committees. The supporter also wanted to express thanks for all the dedicated staff at SENHS.
SENHS and NH Gives a wonderful success! 2021 NH Gives was June 8-9 this year, and over $3,863,000 was donated by 14,342 donors to 584 organizations! Over $5000 was raised for SENHS, and we were able to take advantage of the Board of Trustees match of $2500, as well as additional matches by the NH Charitable Foundation and the NH
Women’s Foundation, for a total of $3275 in additional dollars. It was wonderful to see the support for Southeastern New Hampshire Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services (SENHS) and all of the New Hampshire non-profits. See NH Gives for more information.
April 2021:
SENHS receives anonymous donation to support our development efforts. A supporter of SENHS generously donated $20,000 to support a development program coordinator position. This will strengthen our fundraising activities and allow to build stronger relationships with supporters. See our Career page if interested in the position!
March 2021:
SENHS receives $75,000 grant from the NH Charitable Foundation! The grant was made possible by gifts from the following fund(s): Oliver J. and Dorothy Penniman Hubbard New Futures Fund. The grant will be used to strengthen the Turning Point residential program. We are honored and grateful to the Foundation for their support. See the Foundation’s website, nhcf.org for more information.
January 2021:
SENHS receives generous donation from The Fabulous Find! The Fabulous Find is a boutique-style resale shop that donates profits to local nonprofits. They are located at 139 State Rd in Kittery, Maine. They sell gently used designer clothing, jewelry and home accessories. We are so grateful for their support! Their website is thefabulousfind.org
SENHS featured in the Foster’s Daily Democrat: SENHS Seeks Donations
SENHS now offering IDCMP classes via Zoom meeting. For criteria and information, contact the IDCMP office at 603-516-8174.
New look for 2021! The floors have been completed and look great! Sample of a few rooms and hallways:
December 2020:
SENHS receives two COVID capital grants from the State of NH Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services. One grant is to purchase air purifiers that circulate air in the building to remove dust, pollen, mold and viruses, including the COVID-19 virus. The second grant is to replace the carpeting in the residential facilities with vinyl flooring that will be easier to clean per CDC guidelines. Both projects to be completed by December 30, 2020.
