Family Matters Summer/Fall 2014 1

Family Matters

Because of You! Kelly is becoming the best she

can possibly be.

Page 1

Gale builds a community

through food and laughter

Page 2

A fresh kitchen is on the

horizon for TUR participants

Page 3

TUR is out in the community

Page 4

Summer/Fall 2014

Volume 1 Number 2 36 Tsienneto Road Derry, NH 03038 (603) 437-4877 www.urteachers.org

Facebook.com/urteachers

Twitter: @urteacher

The Power of Connection After years of hard work, Kelly becomes her own champion because of your support

Sixteen year-old Kelly has a little advice to offer youth that are struggling in school,

“Keep a positive mind and you can accomplish anything.” She should know.

A mother at fourteen, Kelly wasn’t sure that she would be able to continue her education.

Through the support she received at TUR’s Teen Information for Parenting Success

(TIPS) program, Kelly was encouraged to set goals to make her life better and continue

her education.

In June, Kelly received her HiSET/GED certificate, and this sum-

mer she graduated from an LNA program and was offered a job

at a local hospital soon after. In the fall, she begins studies at

Southern New Hampshire University for criminal justice.

Like most parents, her reason for charging ahead, despite all the

obstacles hurdled at her, is her beautiful and rambunctious

child, now two years-old.

Kelly still keeps in touch with the TUR and maintains a strong connection with TIPS co-

ordinator, Janis Lilly as well as with TUR’s HiSET/GED teachers.

It is through your generous support that young people like Kelly have a safe place to

find mentorship, positive attitudes and encouragement in addition to education oppor-

tunities.

Thank you for believing in Kelly and thank you for providing your community with

invaluable supportive and educational services that build more self-sufficient lives.

“Every child deserves a champion— an adult who

will never give up on them , who understands the

power of connection, and insists that they become

the best they can possibly be.”

— Rita Pierson, Educator

TIPS coordinator, Janis Lilly (L) with Kelly (R) at

TUR’s 2014 HiSET/GED Commencement Ceremony.

Family Matters Summer/Fall 2014 2

Gale Stanley, Board Member, Food

Pantry Coordinator, Auction Committee

Chair, and Donor:

“I have served

on the board of

directors for The Upper Room (TUR) for

the last five years, but it wasn’t until I re-

tired, last year, that I was really able to roll

up my sleeves and get involved. Signing

on to be the co-manager of TUR’s Food

Pantry has been an eye-opening experi-

ence and a gift. Now, a Monday at The Upper Room is easily my

favorite day of the week.

The food pantry at TUR is open for two hours each Monday, but in

that short window of time, a couple of very special things happen.

The first actually happens about an hour before the food pantry

opens, when guests gather outside. They chat about their families,

share recipes, talk about community events and where to find good

deals. It is a very open and friendly atmosphere.

The second thing happens when guests of the food pantry sign in,

that's when we, as volunteers, interact with each guest. We talk

about everything from how they got their middle names to the

strangest foods we’ve ever eaten. There is so much laughter. It has

been a good morning when guests’ bags are filled with food, their

minds with new ideas and their hearts with renewed joy.

The food pantry at TUR doesn’t just hand out food, that’s what I

love about it. The food pantry builds community and gives our

neighbors a place to find laughter again even though life can be

so difficult. That’s why I come back every Monday.”

A Note from our Executive Director…

Kimberly Bavaro Why

I Give Did you know that bully-

ing affects nearly all of

our children?

Research shows that one in three children is di-

rectly involved in bullying as either a perpetrator,

a victim, or both. Many, many more children who

are not directly involved have witnessed bullying

as a bystander. Bullying has long-lasting effects—

you’d be hard-pressed to find an adult today who

doesn’t have a story of bullying in their past.

It doesn’t have to be this way. As we prepare our

children for a new school year, let’s also prepare

them to combat bullying.

The Upper Room is proud to partner with the

Derry Bully Prevention Project to bring aware-

ness to an issue that was once, and in many re-

gards is still, a silent epidemic.

Join us on Tuesday, November 18th for a presen-

tation by Dr. Malcolm Smith, one of the nation's

leading educators on stopping the cycles of mean-

ness, incivility and violence that permeates the

culture and climate of our nation's schools and

youth cultures.

“Teaching Civility— A Social Cue for Bullying”

will prepare you: parents, teachers, guidance

counselors, school support staff, and community

members to prevent and confront bullying.

You have the power to reduce bullying in

our schools and communities.

“Teaching Civility— A Social Cue for Bullying”

Tuesday, November 18, 2014 6:30– 8:30 pm

At The Upper Room, A Family Resource Center.

Cost: FREE! Space is limited.

Call TUR for registration and more information

Presented by the Derry Bully Prevention Project

“A Monday at The Upper Room is easily my

favorite day of the week. . .”

Family Matters Summer/Fall 2014 3

Our Wish List

Gas cards

Oil change/auto maintenance gift

certificates

Grocery store gift cards

Clothing store gift cards

Box store (Target, Big Lots) gift

cards

Cell phone minute cards

We all feel the pain at the gas pump. For many TUR families with limited

incomes, gas and auto maintenance is the barrier preventing them from

getting to doctor appointments, school and programs that can help them

better their lives.

You can help families in your community move toward independence.

Drop off or mail gift cards for families served by The Upper Room at

36 Tsienneto Road, Derry 03038

Know someone who needs help? Have them contact us at 603-437-8477.

You can keep families moving in the right direction.

You Can Be Part of a BIG Change at The Upper Room

$6,300 donation from Derry T-Bones kicks off effort to renovate TUR’s kitchen and food pantry

J anice, Elizabeth, Elliot, and Robert are just a few of

the real people you help by supporting The Upper

Room’s emergency Food Pantry.

For years, the kitchen used by the food pantry and

all the TUR programs has fallen into an irreparable

state. It’s cramped quarters make serving your friends

and neighbors inefficient at best.

TUR volunteers and staff have gotten by and made the

best of the kitchen, but thanks to a generous gift by

Derry T-Bones and its patrons, a campaign to renovate

the kitchen has been kicked into high gear.

You can be a part of this momentous effort.

As in most homes, the kitchen is the heart of The Upper

Room. It is where meals are prepared for program partic-

ipants, where parents and children learn cooking

and nutrition skills, and also serves the community

as TUR’s food pantry.

The goal is to match Derry T-Bones donation and raise a

total of $12,600 to build a more efficient and beautiful

kitchen.

Want to learn more? Visit our website at:

www.urteachers.org/kitchenproject.html.

Be

fore

Kitchen Renovation Project

updates available on Facebook!

www.facebook.com/urteachers

Family Matters Summer/Fall 2014 4

You Matter! Make

a Difference

When you support

The Upper Room, A Family

Resource Center you provide

children and families with the

critical resources they need to

improve their lives.

It’s never been easier to show

your support!

Sign up for our e-newsletter

at www.urteachers.org

Donate today at

www.urteachers.org/

involved-financial

Ask your employer to match

gifts you make to TUR.

Fund A Family: An annual

gift of $250 supports the

transformation of a southern

NH family.

Shop online with iGive at

www.igive.com/urteachers

Sponsor the 13th annual

Family Matters Auction.

Contact Angelica Ladd at

aladd@urteachers.org for

more information.

Like us on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/urteachers

Thank you to our loving friends who made gifts in honor of Dad this

Father’s Day.

In memory of In memory of

Marcel Chamberlain Frank Robinson

Catherine Taylor Margaret Robinson

In honor of

Jon Stanley

Gale V. Stanley

Join us! The Upper Room in your community

Derryfest

September 20 10 am– 5 pm

MacGregor Park, Derry

Stop by for information on upcoming

parent education courses, learn about

TUR programs & services, or just say

“hi”. We’re looking forward to seeing

you. There will be games and prizes for

the kids, so make it a day out with the

family.