RECENT NEWS

Celebrating 100,000 Members

At the conclusion of our first year of operation in 1941, we served fewer than 100 members. As of Wednesday, June 7th, we reach a major milestone… 82 years in… we have now welcomed our 100,000th member to NHFCU.

What began as an organization for just State of New Hampshire employees is now an organization serving the entire New Hampshire community through their employers, family members, or their desire to take advantage of financial wellness benefits through the New England Consumer Council.

Cheers to 100,000 members!

Congratulations Jennifer Bailey, Employee of the Month for May!

Jennifer Bailey was recently nominated as our newest Employee of the Month. Jen’s nominations cited her positive attitude and work ethic. She has quickly learned our newest lending process and has developed a great rapport with our partners in lending. Jen plays a big role in ensuring the process goes smoothly. She has developed a vast knowledge of the services we offer. Her ability to multi-task, working quickly and accurately, is incredible, creating a better experience for our members. Jennifer works with humor and a smile, and we are fortunate to have such a dedicated employee.

Market Days Goes Green Thanks to NHFCU!

NHFCU & Intown Concord are thrilled to announce that Market Days, the largest festival in downtown Concord, will be going green this year. NHFCU is the Market Days’ Sustainability Sponsor. Providing a commitment to reducing our environmental impact, Market Days 2023 will feature various sustainability initiatives aimed at promoting recycling, waste reduction, and eco-conscious practices.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: April 7, 2023 

Contact: Ryan Grace

Vice President of Brand

603.828.6287

rgrace@necu.org

Northeast Credit Union Awards $5K in “For You” Sweepstakes

 

PORTSMOUTH, NH– Northeast Credit Union fulfilled its mission of enriching and nourishing the lives of others by awarding a member $5,000 towards their qualifying Northeast loan. 

The “Northeast CU $5,000 For You“ Sweepstakes began January 23, 2023 and ran through the month of February, during which time, anyone who opened a qualifying loan at Northeast was automatically entered to win up to $5,000 towards the payment of a loan. The winner was randomly chosen on March 1^st from over 100 entrants.

The $5,000 For You Sweepstakes stemmed from the aftermath of the pandemic. Northeast Marketing Specialist, Erik Howden, shared that, “Folks lost jobs, had hours reduced, or changed their spending habits, which in turn, made finances tight. With assistance programs set to run out, we wanted to ensure those people will have enough to manage their everyday expenses.  Helping our members determine how they can pay down debt and save is incredibly important for their financial futures.” Erik added, “Our sweepstakes enabled them to consolidate their finances and find ways to save and simplify.”

On Wednesday, March 29^th employees gathered at the credit union’s Sanford, Maine branch to surprise member, Jean Paul Arseneault with the exciting news that he was the grand prize winner.  Upon arriving at the branch, he was presented with his giant, commemorative check and the news of his win.

When asked how his consolidated loan and his new prize will impact his life, Jean Paul said, “The loan is already saving me a couple hundred dollars each month, and now the added funds will help complete some needed home improvements.”

About Northeast Credit Union

Northeast Credit Union is a member-owned and not-for-profit organization whose mission is to enrich and nourish the lives of others: its members, its employees, and its communities.  Northeast CU provides a cooperative banking experience that invites others to take part in making our communities thrive through elimination of food insecurity, access to affordable housing and support of education. From its humble beginnings at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1936, Northeast has grown to more than $2 billion in assets, over 142,000 members and 18 branches throughout New Hampshire and Maine.

 

Connect With Us
necu.org | 888-436-1847 | memberservices@necu.org
Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/northeastcu and Instagram at @northeast_cu.

 

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Press Release 

For Immediate Release 
March 31, 2023
Contact: Andrea Pruna
SVP, Chief Growth Officer
Phone: 603.422.9815
Email: apruna@necu.org

Northeast Credit Union Welcomes Ryan Grace as Vice President, Brand

 

Portsmouth, NH - Northeast Credit Union is pleased to announce the hiring of Ryan Grace as Vice President of Brand. Ryan will be responsible for leading the Marketing team while developing brand strategies to promote growth and expansion. He will also ensure the broader marketing strategy supports the credit union’s short and long-term business objectives and delivers on the mission to enrich and nourish the lives of Northeast’s members, employees, and communities they serve. 

 

“As a strategic and creative leader, Ryan is already making an impact with our brand development and with the team he is leading,” Chris Parker, President and CEO of Northeast, shared. “We’re excited to leverage his vast experience as we shape the future of the credit union,” he concluded.

 

Ryan adds, “I’m honored to step into this new role and lead a team that is essential to building Northeast’s presence in the community. It's an inspiring challenge to take on this role and contribute to the growth of the credit union, knowing that the more we grow, the more we can give back to the community.  For me, the mission is also personal, and I’m excited for the opportunity to support the community where I grew up, and where I am now raising a family.”

 

Ryan brings over 10 years of experience in building multinational brands in the consumer goods industry, including roles at Keurig Dr Pepper, Lindt, and Mars. Before working in the private sector, he proudly served in the US Army as a military intelligence officer after graduating from Duke University.  Ryan grew up on the New Hampshire seacoast and is a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy. He now lives in the area with his wife and two young sons.

 

About Northeast Credit Union

Northeast Credit Union is a member-owned and not-for-profit organization whose mission is to enrich and nourish the lives of others: its members, its employees, and its communities.  Northeast provides a cooperative banking experience that invites others to take part in making our communities thrive through elimination of food insecurity, access to affordable housing and support of education. From its humble beginnings at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1936, Northeast has grown to more than $2 billion in assets, over 142,000 members and 18 branches throughout New Hampshire and Maine.

 

Connect With Us
necu.org | 888-436-1847 | memberservices@necu.org 
Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/northeastcu and Instagram at @northeast_cu.

 

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Press Release 
For Immediate Release 
January 18, 2023
Contact: Andrea Pruna
SVP, Chief Growth Officer
Phone: 603.422.9815
Email: apruna@necu.org

Northeast Credit Union Welcomes Dan Raposa as Executive Director of the Northeast Credit Union Foundation

Portsmouth, NH - Northeast Credit Union is excited to introduce Dan Raposa as Vice President, Executive Director of the Northeast Credit Union Foundation. Dan comes to the Foundation with over 35 years in fundraising and philanthropy experience. In this role, he will lead the Foundation in its efforts to support Northeast Credit Union’s mission to enrich and nourish the lives of others. He will develop Foundation programs and sustain funding to enhance strategic community involvement in the areas of food insecurity, access to affordable housing, and educational support.

Dan joins the Foundation after serving as a vital member of the Credit Union’s Supervisory Committee where he was responsible for the oversight and safeguard of the members’ assets by ensuring the credit union was operating properly. Additionally, he provided advice, assistance, and support to the Board of Directors in its supervision of credit union operations.

“Dan brings tremendous energy and an unmatched passion for our mission. His years of fundraising experience are rooted in his ability to build relationships and develop insights into what motivates people,” said Chris Parker, President & Chief Executive Officer at Northeast CU. “His history with our Credit Union coupled with his extensive involvement in the communities we serve perfectly align with our goals for the Foundation. We are thrilled to add him in this capacity as he will help us further our mission and better serve our members and communities.” he concluded.

“I’m energized to use my experience and personal connections with leaders throughout Maine and New Hampshire as I continue the journey Northeast has begun with its members, employees, and the communities they serve.  Sustained giving at impactful levels requires a relentless process of relationship building --- I am confident in my capacity to build those relationships around a mission I am passionate about. The credit union movement started in the Granite State and is rooted in the commitment of people helping people. The Northeast Credit Union Foundation shall take that to another level.” Dan stated.

2022 was a year of positive impact for Northeast Credit Union. With the support of its members and employees 48 non-profits were provided financial aid as the Credit Union worked towards their own missions and purpose; over $50,000  was donated towards community programs;  over 2,400 lbs. of food and goods was collected in support of food insecurity programs; financial literacy lesson plans and resources were provided to 83 local schools and $40,000 in scholarships was awarded to 23 student-members, and as importantly, the Credit Union’s employees volunteered over 540 hours to help those in need. With the launch of the Foundation, Northeast CU is looking forward to continuing to Do Good together with its communities. You are welcome to join in this journey and participate in making a difference. 

About the Northeast Credit Union Foundation

The Northeast Credit Union Foundation is funded by Northeast Credit Union members, employees, vendor partners and community members. The Foundation is committed to supporting programs that look to end food insecurity, support affordable housing and the advancement of education. More information can be found atwww.necu.org/foundation. 

About Northeast Credit Union

Northeast Credit Union is a member-owned and not-for-profit organization whose mission is to enrich and nourish the lives of others: its members, its employees, and its communities.  Northeast CU provides a cooperative banking experience that invites others to take part in making our communities thrive through elimination of food insecurity, access to affordable housing and support of education. From its humble beginnings at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1936, Northeast has grown to more than $2 billion in assets, over 142,000 members and 18 branches throughout New Hampshire and Maine.

 

Connect With Us
necu.org | 888-436-1847 | memberservices@necu.org 
Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/northeastcu and Instagram at @northeast_cu.

NHFCU's Employee of the Month

Laura Bilsborough, Consumer Loan Underwriter

Laura Bilsborough joined NHFCU's Lending Department as a Lending Representative in August 2021. Although she had no prior financial services experience, Laura proved herself quickly, learning about the industry and gaining new knowledge every day.

By mid-year 2022, Laura had transitioned to work as a Consumer Loan Underwriter. In this position, she taught herself how to input and process loans, produce documentation, and gained an overall understanding of how to best help members, thus exceeding member expectations.

Laura's love of learning was amplified when we recently implemented new lending software. She became proficient with all aspects of the new system, assisting with training staff on system navigation, developing workflows, and offering guidance on loans.

Laura continues to stretch her knowledge with NHFCU, continually researching ways she can make things more efficient and make an even greater positive difference for her co-workers and our members. Laura demonstrates a calm, thorough approach in every situation and possesses a wealth of accumulated knowledge - this has earned Laura the title of “go to person" for Lending.

Congratulations Laura!

L to R, David Richard, D.F. Richard Energy, Marilyn Staff, BSN, RN, CCM, FedPoint, and Laura Davie, Institute for Health Policy and Practice.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
For more information contact:
Cornerstone VNA

Erika Lee, Director of Advancement
Phone: 603-994-7012
Email:  elee@cornerstonevna.org

Cornerstone VNA Welcomes Three New Board Members

Rochester, NH – Cornerstone VNA, your local nonprofit home health and hospice care organization, is pleased to welcome and introduce the newest members of their Board of Directors, Marilyn Staff, RN, David Richard, and Laura Davie.

According to Julie Reynolds, RN, MS, President/CEO, “We are thrilled to have Marilyn, David and Laura join our dynamic and steadfast Board of Directors. In addition to sharing a passion for our mission, they all bring extensive experience in health care and leadership skills.” Julie adds, “Marilyn, David and Laura are joining our board during an exciting time as we kick off our 110^th year anniversary, and work together to honor our past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the bright future of our VNA.” 

A graduate of Boston College, Marilyn Staff, BSN, RN, CCM has been an RN for over 35 years and is currently the Director of Care Coordination at FedPoint located in Portsmouth, NH. For over 8 years, she has been overseeing Care Management and Fraud Waste and Abuse for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program. She has extensive senior leadership and clinical operations management experience in various settings, as well as significant risk and audit experience.  A strategic, analytical, and visionary leader, Marilyn is a past member of the Massachusetts Home Care Alliance and collaborated to establish the first Salem State Universality (previously SSC) Nursing shadow program.

David Richard is currently the sales manager for liquid fuels and equipment as well as head of community outreach for D.F. Richard Energy in Dover, NH. Prior to re-joining his family’s business in 2015, he was an occupational therapist for over 20 years in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities (SNF), and visiting nurse agencies. He has also held department management positions in SNF settings, including lead therapist positions in various VNA settings.

David shares, "I am honored to be a part of such a passionate group of professionals that provide much needed home health services to the greater Rochester area and beyond. Additionally, I have experienced Cornerstones VNA's services firsthand as they have provided amazing care to my mother in her final weeks. All I can say is that I was much impressed with the level of compassion and level of communication to myself and my siblings. It was comforting to all of us. I would not hesitate to recommend Cornerstone VNA to anyone in need of at home care."

Rochester resident, Laura Davie, is the Director of the Long Term Care and Aging focus area at the Institute for Health Policy and Practice (IHPP). She is also the Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Center on Aging and Community Living (CACL), a collaboration between IHPP and the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH. Laura joined IHPP in 2005 and provides leadership, project management, facilitation, and evaluation across multiple projects focused on person-centered options for older adults to support them to live and age in communities of their choice. Currently, Laura is a Cornerstone VNA Hospice Volunteer, an active member of the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging’s Advisory Board, and is a collaborative partner in the NH Senior Leadership Series. Laura was a New Hampshire Public Health Association Board Member (2009-2016) and served as Vice President (2011-2015).

Laura shares, “As a hospice volunteer these past two years, I have learned about the breadth and depth of services Cornerstone VNA provides and the high caliber of people they employ. Joining the board is an opportunity to serve Cornerstone VNA, but also our community. Sustaining and expanding home-based services is vital to the health and well-being of individuals in need of care and their caregivers.”

Cornerstone VNA currently serves Rockingham, Strafford, Belknap and Carroll Counties in New Hampshire and York County in Maine. The team at Cornerstone VNA provides award-winning care and support through five distinct programs: Home Care, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Life Care-Private Duty and Community Care. For 110 years, Cornerstone VNA has been committed to bringing services to people of all ages so that families can stay together at home, even when facing the challenges of aging, surgical recovery, chronic or life-threatening illnesses or end-of-life care. To learn more about Cornerstone VNA, visit www.cornerstonevna.org or call 800-691-1133.

 

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

For more information contact: 
Cornerstone VNA
Erika Lee, Director of Advancement
Phone: 603-332-1133 x1203
Email: elee@cornerstonevna.org

 

Cornerstone VNA Receives Multi Year Grant from New Hampshire Charitable Foundation

 

Rochester, NH: Cornerstone VNA is thrilled to announce they have received a $60,000 grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. The grant, which will be paid in $20,000 installments over a three-year period, was made possible by gifts from the following fund(s): Charles and Aroline B. Greenfield Fund, Cocheco Fund, Edmond and Margaret Drouin Charitable Fund, Greater Portsmouth Rehabilitation Center Fund, Marcia G. Moody Fund, Robert and Alexandria Lowe Fund. This important funding will help further Cornerstone VNA’s mission to promote the optimum level of well-being, independence, and dignity of those living in the community by providing trusted, compassionate and expert health care.

 

This multi-year grant will be used in-part for a rehabilitation training platform that will provide standardized patient education for exercises and provide professional education for their rehabilitation therapists. Furthermore, it will support underfunded specialty programs, such as Lymphedema, and specialized training for clinicians, which is critical due to the increased level of care needed to support patients at home with complex medical conditions. Funding will also support access to care for those in need, as well as efforts to attract, retain and train skilled staff.

 

According to Julie Reynolds RN, MS, Cornerstone VNA President/CEO, “We are so very grateful for the Charitable Foundation funding, which will enable us to continue our important work with expertise and excellence. These funds impact our ability to keep our clinicians up to date with the newest trends in healthcare, and providing specialty services to our most vulnerable residents in NH.”

 

About Cornerstone VNA: Cornerstone VNA currently serves Rockingham, Strafford, Belknap and Carroll Counties in New Hampshire and York County in Maine. The team at Cornerstone VNA provides award-winning care and support through five distinct programs: Home Care, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Life Care-Private Duty, and Community Care. For 110 years, Cornerstone VNA has been committed to bringing services to people of all ages so that families can stay together at home, even when facing the challenges of aging, surgical recovery, chronic or life-threatening illnesses or end-of-life care. To learn more about Cornerstone VNA, visit www.cornerstonevna.org or call 800-691-1133.

 

About the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation: The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is New Hampshire’s statewide community foundation, founded in 1962 by and for the people of New Hampshire. We are the place where generosity meets the dedication and ingenuity of nonprofits and the potential of New Hampshire students. For six decades, thousands of people have entrusted their charitable resources to the Foundation, creating a perpetual source of philanthropic capital and making it possible for the Foundation to award more than $60 million in grants and scholarships every year. For more information, please visit www.nhcf.org or call 603-225-6641.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
For more information contact: Cornerstone VNA
Erika Lee, Director of Advancement
Phone: 603-332-1133 x1203
Email: elee@cornerstonevna.org

 

Cornerstone VNA Celebrates 110 Years

Rochester, NH – January 2023, marks the 110^th anniversary of Cornerstone VNA, a local nonprofit home health and hospice care organization serving Strafford, Rockingham, Belknap and Carroll Counties in New Hampshire and York County in Maine.

Cornerstone VNA is excited to celebrate its 110^th year and is proud to look back on their impressive history of providing care at home.  In 1913, the Rochester Women’s Club, led by president and philanthropist, Norma Snow, and the Ladies Aide of the First Church Congregational founded the VNA to provide homecare services.  For more than a century, Cornerstone VNA has been committed to bringing services to people of all ages, so that families can stay together at home, even when facing the challenges of aging, surgical recovery, chronic or life-threatening illnesses or end of life care.  As a full-service home care organization, Cornerstone VNA provides award-winning care and support through five distinct programs: Home Care, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Life Care-Private Duty and Community Care.

Julie Reynolds, RN, MS, President/CEO states, “I have proudly worked as a home care nurse since 1987 and joined Cornerstone VNA in 1994. I have experienced so much personal and professional growth in my time at Cornerstone VNA, and it has been an honor to lead this organization as the President/CEO for the past 10 years.” Julie continues, “Although we have grown tremendously in recent years, we still pay tribute to our founder and our remarkable history of providing high quality care to our patients and our community.”

Particularly in the last decade, Cornerstone VNA has experienced significant growth which earned them recognition as the Business NH Magazine 2020 Health Care Business of the Decade, as well as numerous other awards including most recently the Falls Chamber of Commerce 2022 Nonprofit of the Year, and the 2022 Best of the Seacoast Best Home Health Care.

As the region braced itself for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Cornerstone VNA was well-prepared thanks to their ongoing emergency preparedness efforts. They continued providing care to patients and developed innovative ways to remain connected to their local communities. They also broke ground on an important capital project in October 2020 to expand their building and renovate their existing space to address the growing needs of their patients, staff, and community members. Over the years, Cornerstone VNA has remained proactive in its approach to researching and implementing innovative specialty services, including a remote telehealth monitoring program, to meet the complex needs of their patients to ensure positive outcomes.

With a staff of over 170 team members, Cornerstone VNA has a depth of longevity that is quite extraordinary. Sandy Powers, RN, has been a nurse at Cornerstone VNA for thirty-one years, and is known fondly by her patients as “Nurse Sandy”. Sandy remarks, “I’ve had various roles over the last 30 years, and it has been a wonderful ride with all of them. I’ve gained so much knowledge working as an RN in home care.”

From longtime nurse, Sandy, to recently enlisted team member, Megan Casey, RN, BSN, the positive feeling of being a nurse and working in home care is just as strong. Megan shares, “There’s something remarkable and rewarding about caring for patients in the home setting, often at their most acute and vulnerable states, and being part of an agency (family) that provides endless support and appreciation. I don’t just love what I do, I live for it.”

 

To learn more about Cornerstone VNA, visit www.cornerstonevna.org or call 800-691-1133. Visitors to the website can also learn more about Cornerstone VNA’s history by reading their historical blog posts, which will be posted each month throughout the year.