PRESS RELEASES

Through the years the program has grown and adapted to meet the needs of youth and their parents, in addressing the crime, but also any underlying reasons a young person would engage in behavior that is unlawful. GDJD’s goal is to help young people, take a look at the situation, and make necessary changes so they can successfully transition to the next steps in their lives.

Diane Casale, GDJD Program Coordinator, describes what the last 25 years has meant to her; “ I love this organization and I love the Greater Derry Juvenile Diversion program!

It is a joy and privilege being able to listen with respect to each young person, with an earnest desire to assist each one moving through this piece of their journey. To hold them accountable and help them understand the impact of their actions while allowing them to maintain their personal dignity. To make the experience more meaningful for them and their families, I focus on relationships. For myself, this experience is about my own self-actualization, finding and reaching my potential. When I started this job, I really didn’t understand all of the information I would learn, I had no idea the number of people I would touch, and all of the people who would touch me. I love all that I do here and realize I have many skills and abilities I didn’t even begin to understand until they were highlighted in my work. To have the ability of reaching my own goals and utilize my talents, and understand my value in this world, this is a gift I received from being at the Upper Room over the last 26 years.”

Brenda Guggisberg, Executive Director of The Upper Room, explains that “ It is an honor to work with a professional such as Diane Casale. Her commitment to youth, to the integrity of her program and how she accomplishes what she does is outstanding.. Diane does not make it easy for young people, she holds them accountable to themselves, their parents and their community.” In the 25 years of implementing the GDJD program, Diane and her team have created innovative programs that address youth needs. Challenge, a drug and alcohol course offers youth a chance to look at their use and how it is impacting their lives, their health their futures. Take Control, an evidence based anger management course, developed by The Upper Room staff , is used to address the way teens handle anger, and how they mishandle it too. This course offers strategies to help young people look at alternatives to how they currently handle stress, anger and frustration, and provides the participants with a menu of options to choose from that improve their internal dialog, and relationships in a positive light. In addition, Diane oversees the Youth Education on Shoplifting course for juveniles who have been arrested for shoplifting. Youth learn how social pressures can trigger a shoplifting incident, and they look closely at the feelings, thoughts and attitudes which lead to shoplifting, preventing further incidents. UR Parents is an open weekly support group, offered to parents and caregivers of teens. Parents develop new responses to the situations they are faced with, to promote more positive communication and outcomes with their teen. Resources and support to additional services and programs is also a large piece of this program.    

Two years ago, Diane and her staff launched a new program at TUR called Rejuvenate, a program that supports high school students who have been suspended from school. This program served 229 teens in the last two years, and kept students academically connected through instruction, tutoring and services that address the reason they were suspended. These students engage in not only the academic support but the other programs and services, wellness checks and education to help them return to school with the goal of being academically on track and supported in any other areas of need.  

Coworkers agree that Diane is a backbone of our agency, that she is a visionary, whose passion, humor, curiosity, consistency and commitment add balance to our work days. “When we can offer an approach that engages both teens and their parents, we are able to support both in taking a step back and thinking about communication, and how to improve their relationships”, says Brenda Guggisberg. GDJD is a comprehensive program supporting teens in times of need, through services, education, and programs that lead to improved health, self-sufficiency and wellness for young people. GDJD has the lowest recidivism in the state of New Hampshire, which speaks to the work and commitment that Diane, her team of volunteers and staff have made to the lives of our rising young people.

Diane is a Certified Prevention Specialist, she has modeled her work through restorative justice principles. Diane sits on the NH Network for Juvenile Diversion Programs as well as many other leadership committees, and groups and has been an asset to The Upper Room, the greater Derry community, and the state of New Hampshire when it comes to juveniles. Diane has a long-standing positive relationship with local police departments, probation and parole offices as well as schools, and community agencies that support youth. 

If you would like more information about any of these programs please join us August 14th 3 – 6 PM when we will host an open house in conjunction with our annual Ice Cream Social. Staff will be available to discuss their programs, and answer questions for anyone seeking further information.