What's Trending?
Welcome to What’s Trending?
A page on our site where you will find stories, photos, graphics and videos that showcase what we do, why we do it and many of the people who make it possible. Consistently, we are bridging support, actively serving, committed to growing and recognizing valuable partnerships. We will also showcase stories relating to community engagement and wellness. This is why we want to keep you up to date on what is trending at Community Crossroads, in the disability community and beyond.
Trending Blog Post
How Therapeutic Horseback Riding Can Change One’s Life
How Therapeutic Horseback Riding Can Change One's Life In 2017, the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation reported, “equine-assisted activities are clearly a viable intervention option for participants with impairments in balance, gross and fine...
read moreBridging Support
The 33rd Annual Golf Challenge
SAVE THE DATE: The 33rd Annual Golf Challenge will take place on Monday, August 22nd, 2022. This year’s tournament will once again take place at the Atkinson Resort & Country Club (85 Country Club Drive, Atkinson, NH). Click the button below to register and learn more about this fun-filled day!
Save the Date: NHGives 2022
NHGives – an initiative of the NH Center for Nonprofits – is a powerful, statewide 24-hour online fundraising event that is designed to build community, connect donors to local nonprofits and generate excitement about the nonprofit sector. Join us virtually from 5:00 p.m. on June 7th to 5:00 p.m. on June 8th to support our area agency! Stay tuned to our social media pages for more information about this year’s fundraiser!
2022 Summer Enrichment/Campership Application
The 2022 Summer Enrichment/Campership application is now available for you to fill out. Click HERE to access this year’s form. Please return the completed form to Rochelle Dumont (on or before April 30th, 2022) to Community Crossroads, ATTN: Rochelle Dumont, 8 Commerce Drive, Atkinson, NH 03811 or email Rochelle at rdumont@communitycrossroadsnh.org and please put ‘CAMPERSHIP’ in the subject line.
These funds are available to applicants of any age (ages 3 and up) who receive Family Support Services & currently reside at home with their family. This includes those individuals with IHSW and PDMS programs. Requests for funding may be toward the cost of a camp or any summer activity that enriches the life of the individuals we serve.
Did you know that you can find more forms on the ‘downloadable forms’ page of our website? Click here: Downloadable Forms – Community Crossroads (communitycrossroadsnh.org)
Actively Serving
Policy Partners 2022-2023
Are you interested in learning more about the legislative process, and the bills that impact people who experience a disability and their loved ones? If so – Policy Partners may be the right fit for you!
We are currently looking for people to take part in the next session of Policy Partners which will take place from September 2022-March 2023! During Policy Partners – each participant is paired with an experienced leader/advocate and benefits from targeting training sessions led by highly experienced local and national presenters on topics related to relationship building, community organizing, communication, persuasion, and issue framing.
To learn more, apply, or nominate someone for the 2022-2023 Policy Partners – email Jennifer Bertrand at jbertrand@communitycrossroadsnh.org.
Summer Camps 2022
Summer is coming soon! This means that now is the perfect time to find a summer camp that matches your child or loved one’s skills and interests – and allows them to participate in all or most of the activities provided.
New Hampshire Magazine recently published their 2022 Summer Camp Guide that you can find HERE.
The New Hampshire Camp Directors Association’s website is regularly updated with information on upcoming camps. One great thing about this website is that director’s names and emails are provided so families can reach out.
Studies show that summer camps positively impact a child’s mental and social wellbeing and allow them to partake in their hobbies while discovering new ones.
The UNH website has their summer 2022 youth programs listed on their website. Programs include athletics, arts, technology, and more. These programs often fill up fast so check it out today.
Recognizing Valuable Partnerships
Pentucket Bank
Thank you Pentucket Bank for signing on as our Premier Corporate Sponsor! We are so fortunate to have such a generous and committed partner like you dedicated to improving the lives of people in our local communities! Pentucket Bank exemplifies all that’s best about a community bank and mirrors our mission of supporting the community.
Back row left to right: Jonathan Dowst/President & Chief Executive Officer, John DeBaun/SVP Commercial Lending, Robert Glosner/SVP Chief Information Officer, & Karl Denu/SVP Chief Financial Officer
Front row left to right: Marie Charabati/AVP Senior Branch Manager Salem NH, Sarah Snyder Director of Children & Family Services, Jennifer Bertrand, Director of Community Partnerships, & Nicole Molesso/Assistant Branch Manager Salem, NH
Community Wellness
New Hampshire Leadership Series
Congratulations to the New Hampshire Leadership Class of 2022! The New Hampshire Leadership Series, which is through the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability, allows participants to learn, lead, and create change in their own community and beyond. The series takes place from September-April and features guest speakers who share their own perspective on advocacy, inclusion, accessibility, and leadership!
As one group of advocates graduate and continues their journey as – the New Hampshire Leadership Series looks forward to the next group of people eager to grow their leadership skills! The 2022-2023 NH Leadership Series will begin in September, but you can learn more, apply, or nominate someone today by clicking HERE!
Spring is here! There are so many fun things to do during the spring in New Hampshire. Here are some activities YOU should try this spring:
LaBelle Winery (Derry, NH) regularly features comedians, musicians, cooking classes, and more! Many of their events can be enjoyed by the entire family. Check out their list of upcoming events here: Public Events | LaBelle Winery.
In a previous #WhatsTrending – we mentioned the online game Wordle! Now you can play spin-offs such as Wordle2 (with six letters), Nerdle (the math version), Worldle (the geography version), and Heardle (the music version). These games are free and a great way to exercise your brain!
As the weather warms up, you may find yourself interested in going for a hike or long walk. Visit Best Wheelchair Friendly Trails in New Hampshire | AllTrails to see what trails in our state are accessible and near you.
Plant a garden! This is the perfect time to get your garden started and to watch your fruits, vegetables, and flowers bloom throughout the beautiful spring and summer months.
Go to Tuscan Village (Salem, NH). You can participate in a cooking class, visit some of your favorite stores, and maybe even hear some live music when you go. Check their calendar here, Events — Tuscan Village (tuscanvillagesalem.com) so you can be the first to know about their upcoming events.
Participate in an outdoor scavenger hunt! This is the perfect opportunity for your family to explore the wonderful outdoors and appreciate nature. You can find a sample scavenger hunt here, Outdoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids – Uncommon Path – An REI Co-op Publication.
Check out the WMUR Community Calendar to find an upcoming event that interests you!
Follow our area agency’s Facebook to be the first to know about our upcoming fundraisers, events put on by our Family Support Council, and other community events.
Alex Beauchner – ABLE NH Disability Justice Star of the Year
Congratulations to Alex Beauchner for receiving ABLE NH’s 2022 Disability Justice Star of the Year award. Throughout his time working with the ABLE NH Seacoast chapter, Alex has been a part of a project that will make the city of Dover more accessible to all. Alex said, “to me – disability justice means having good leadership and supporting what you believe in and making changes to the issues people with disabilities face.”
Conversations about accessibility are important to Alex because he is autistic – and is friends with people who are in wheelchairs and believes that each person should have access to the same restaurants, stores, workplaces, and any other establishment!
