Community Catalysts Greater Nashua

Welcome to Community Catalyst , the podcast from theYMCA of Greater Nashua where we highlight the people, partnerships, and programs making a lasting impact in our community. In this episode, host Lynn Boyer sits down with SheilaVargas, Community Relations Manager at Fidelity Investments, to discuss a longstanding partnership built on volunteerism, education, and community impactacross the Greater...

In this episode of Community Catalyst , Lynne Boyer,Vice President of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, sits down with Nick Hammond, Health and Wellness Manager at Opportunity Networks. Nick shares how Opportunity Networks supports adults livingwith intellectual and developmental disabilities across southern New Hampshire, providing meaningful opportunities in health and wellness, su...

In this episode of Community Catalyst , Lynne Boyer,Vice President of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, sits down with Liz Calabria, President and CEO of the Greater Merrimack & Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce. They discuss how the chamber serves as a truecommunity connector, helping local businesses, nonprofits, and individuals grow, network, and make meaningful connections...

In this episode of Community Catalyst , host LynneBoyer, Vice President of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, sits down with Jana Brown, Program Manager at the Children's Literacy Foundation (CLiF), to explore their long-standing partnership. CLiF has been inspiring children across Vermont and NewHampshire for nearly 30 years, promoting a love of reading and writing through grant...

In Episode 22 of Community Catalyst , host Lynn Boyer,Executive Director of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, sits down with Officer Justin Agraz of the Merrimack Police Department to discuss two impactful programs making a real difference in our community: ACERT (Adverse Childhood Experience Response Team) and PEP (Prevention, Enforcement, and Treatment). Justin explains how ACERT s...

In Episode 21 of Community Catalyst, host Lynn Boyer, Executive Director of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, talks with Alicia Angove, Kinship Navigator at Waypoint of Nashua, about supporting families raising children in kinship care. They discuss Waypoint’s programs, including one-on-one services, support groups, and community resources that help families navigate challenges and f...

In Episode 20 of Community Catalyst, host Lynn Boyer, Executive Director of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, talks with Mike Apfelberg, President of the United Way of Greater Nashua, about the organization’s long-standing history, community impact, and evolving initiatives. They discuss the United Way’s roots in emergency response during the Great Depression, pandemic relief efforts...

In Episode 19 of Community Catalyst, host Lynn Boyer, Executive Director of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, is joined by Danielle Crowe, Director of the Greater Nashua Prevention Coalition. They discuss the coalition’s work to educate and support youth and families around substance misuse prevention in Nashua, Hudson, and Merrimack. Danielle shares details about the Lock It Up camp...

In Episode 18, host Lynne Boyer, Executive Director of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, sits down with Paige Beauchemin, RN, PMH-C, founder of OwlHive Perinatal Education & Consulting. Paige shares her journey into perinatal mental health and how OwlHive addresses the growing need for education, support, and access to care for expecting and new parents. They discuss the impact o...

In Episode 17, host Lynne Boyer, Executive Director of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, sits down with Ashley Spencer, Senior Director of Club Operations at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua. They talk about the vital work being done to support youth in the community, from early learning and teen programs to Camp Mariposa, which serves children impacted by addiction in the...

In Episode 16, host Lynne Boyer, Executive Director of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, sits down with Kim Shottes, Executive Director of The PLUS Company, to discuss their longstanding partnership, the vital support services PLUS provides for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and exciting new initiatives like their Direct Support Professional Apprenticeship P...

In Episode 15, host Lynn Boyer, Executive Director of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, sits down with Katelynn Karugu, Community Programs Coordinator at Marguerite’s Place. Learn about their mission to support single mothers through transitional housing, childcare, and community programming. Discover how Marguerite’s Place and the Y collaborate to empower families, foster connection...

In Episode 14, host Lynn Boyer, Executive Director of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, sits down with Terri Connolly, Marketing Manager at Triangle Credit Union. Together, they discuss Triangle's long-standing commitment to the community and its partnership with the YMCA, including efforts to promote financial literacy and support wellness initiatives. Terri shares insights into the...

In Episode 13, host Lynne Boyer, Executive Director of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, chats with Laura Rice, Executive Director of the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF). Together, they explore CLiF’s mission to provide free books and literacy experiences to children, its partnership with the Y, and the importance of nurturing a love for reading through innovative programs that...

In Episode 12, host Lynn Boyer, Executive Director of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, sits down with Henry Och, CEO of Harbor Care. Together, they explore Harbor Care's mission to break the cycle of homelessness and provide housing, healthcare, and veteran support across New Hampshire. Discover the impactful ways their partnership addresses community needs, including inspiring stor...

In Episode 11, host Lynne Boyer, Executive Director of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, chats with Cody Switzer, Assistant Director of the Nashua Community Music School. Together, they explore the incredible work being done to bring music education, therapy, and outreach to the Greater Nashua community. From serving over 600 individuals weekly to offering free music programs and fin...

In Episode 10, Lynne Boyer, Executive Director of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua sits down with Jenn Morton, Program Coordinator at End 68 Hours of Hunger - Nashua. The discussion focuses on the collaborative efforts between our organizations, emphasizing our ongoing relationship and shared mission to creating healthier youth and family populations by providing access to free food...

In Episode 9, Lynne Boyer, Executive Director of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua sits down with Jonathan Harper, Director of Athletics at Rivier University. The discussion focuses on the collaborative efforts between our organizations, emphasizing our ongoing relationship and shared mission to creating a more community and service forward young adult population. Specifically, we dis...

In Episode 8, Lynne Boyer, Executive Director of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua sits down with Tim McMahon, Director of Marketing at the St. Joseph Hospital. The discussion focuses on the collaborative efforts between our organizations, emphasizing our ongoing relationship and shared commitment to creating a connected and healthy community. Specifically, they discuss joined paths t...

In Episode 7, we had the privilege of talking with Andrew Morin, Co-founder of the ReGenerative Roots Association. Our discussion focused on the collaborative efforts between our organizations, emphasizing our ongoing relationship and shared commitment to building and feeding communities. Specifically, ReGen Roots concentrates on strengthening the food and alternative energy systems in New England...

In Episode 6, we had the privilege of conversing with Melody McLaughlin, Director of Community Outreach and Education for the New England Chapter of the Parkinson's Foundation. Our discussion focused on the collaborative efforts between our organizations, emphasizing our ongoing relationship and shared commitment to enhancing health and wellness. Specifically, the Parkinson's Foundation co...

In Episode 5, we had the privilege of conversing with Cynthia Whitaker, PsyD, MLADC, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Nashua Mental Health Center. Our discussion focused on the collaborative efforts between our organizations, emphasizing our ongoing relationship and shared commitment to enhancing community health and wellness. Specifically, Greater Nashua Mental Health provides...

In Episode 4, we had the privilege of engaging in a conversation with Betsy Houde, the Executive Director of Community Partnerships, and Kelly Yellick, the Program Manager of the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department at Southern New Hampshire Health. Our discussion delves into the collaborative efforts between our organizations, highlighting our ongoing relationship and a shared commitme...

In episode 3 we had the honor of sitting down with the Early Childhood Education Coordinator, Lisa Furman, from Nashua Community College (NCC). We discuss NCC's Early Childhood Education program where NCC students can earn hands on learning while interning and working within the YMCA of Greater Nashua's Early Education Center at the Merrimack Y.

In episode 2 we had the honor of sitting down with the Cultural Outreach Advocate, Miranda Melson, from Bridges, a nonprofit agency dedicated to helping victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence, to discuss their mission and the services they provide to our community.