Our Vision
All families in the Monadnock Region receive the support needed for their infants and toddlers to attain optimal early development.
Our Mission
To support families with infants and toddlers who have or are at risk for developmental delays or disabilities through comprehensive therapeutic services that build upon the family’s strengths and to be a resource and advocate for inclusion throughout the Monadnock Region.
About Rise for baby and family
Rise is a small non-profit agency that began in 1981 as an add-on program of the Monadnock Children’s Center. In operation since 1966, the Children’s Center was responsible for starting some of the first special education programs in the Region.
With the advent of the Individuals with Disabilities Act, school systems began providing special education programs to children age three and up. The agency’s name then began its evolution to Rise for baby and family. It is commonly known as Rise.
Rise has been a part of New Hampshire’s Developmental Service System since the beginning. We are a vendor agency for Monadnock Developmental Services. The growth of Rise has been rapid, expanding from serving 40 infants and toddlers in 1981 to serving over 285 children in 2021.
Virtually all Rise supports and services are delivered to families in their most natural and relaxed environments. These settings generally include the child’s home, child care program, or in community settings such as parks, libraries, and the Cheshire Children’s Museum.
Two key ingredients of Rise for baby and family’s success are the growth and retention of qualified staff and the support of our community.
Annual Report
FY21 Annual Report: FY21 Annual Report
Strategic Plan
FY23-FY25 Strategic plan goals: Rise for baby and family Strategic Planning Goals FY23
Ways to Help
As a non-profit, Rise for baby and family is always looking for ways to engage community members in being able to give back. Rise for baby and family accepts:
- Volunteers to support our gardens (in the spring and summer), routine cleaning projects, and building maintenance
- Volunteers to hold babies and play with young children
- Volunteers to staff our annual events
- Financial donations – no matter how small or big, financial donations support the work of Rise for baby and family and directly impacts the services provided to children and families.
No matter which way you give, you know you are supporting Rise for baby and family in making a difference in the lives of children and families throughout the Monadnock Region.
Board of Directors
Lisa Steadman
President
Bari Thompson
Secretary
Randall Carmel
Member-at-large
Back in 2018, when I was asked why I would want to be part of the Rise Board of Directors, I simply said that I believe in Rise’s mission. Since graduating from the New England School of Law in 1986, I have dedicated the majority of my legal career to advocating for children and families in New York City and New Hampshire. . In addition, I have commitment to community service, and have severed nonprofit Boards in New Hampshire since 2001. I have served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Antioch University New England, as President of Congregation Avahas Achim from 2006-2009 and 2020-2022 and I have recently joined the Board of “Hundred Nights” a non-profit organization providing temporary housing to individuals and families in Keene, New Hampshire.
David Kochman
Member-at-large
Retired Manager at Liberty Mutual Insurance. Serves as the President of the 100 Nights Foundation and Treasurer of Congregation Ahavas Achim. High school soccer referee and volunteer at the jail. Serves on the Board because early support is so critical and I like everybody 0-3.
Jeanne Pride
Member-at-large
Ashley Elliott
Vice President
Kim Allsopp, DMV
Member-at-large
Kim is an associate small animal veterinarian at Court Street Veterinary Hospital. She first became involved with Rise when her first born received services as an infant. Dr. Allsopp then joined the Board of Directors in 2021. She is forever impressed with the support Rise provides to families when they feel their most fragile and forever grateful for the comfort they provided to her as a new mom.
Candi Dionne
Member-at-large
Candi Dionne was born and raised in Keene, NH. She currently lives in Keene with her husband and son. Candi is the Sr. Director of HR Operations at NewsBank, Inc. Candi has over 10 years of experience in human resources. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Mount Washington College and an MBA from Boston College of Business. Candi is passionate about Rise and early intervention and has seen first-hand the difference it can make in the lives of children and families.
Brian Lee
Member-at-large
Barbara Tremblay
Member-at-large
Antje Warren
Treasurer
Ashley Bertolami
Member-at-large
I work as a medically complex pediatric RN for 15 years. A mother to a Rise graduate who received services from speech, physical therapy and an Autism specialist. I am on the Board because I love helping children, and want to give back to Rise and the staff at least half what they gave myself and family.
Ashley Guion
Member-at-large
Dawn Martin
Member-at-large
I’ve lived in Sullivan, NH for over 30 years with my husband Eric and we’ve raised two children here. I’ve been in banking since high school, and have worked at the Savings Bank of Walpole for almost 29 years, currently managing the Mortgage Fulfillment Team. I joined the Board of Rise because my son Zachary received services 25 years ago, and I know first-hand how important early intervention services are. I really wanted to be a part of this organization to help give back to my community and help families get the supports they need.
Rise serves more than 250 children birth to three annually with early intervention and child care programs.