Mission,
Vision & Values

Strengthening individuals and families by providing them with the education and resources needed to lead, healthy, self-sufficient lives.

It is our vision that we work to create a strong, vibrant and self sustaining community where conflict and hunger, homelessness and poverty, and ignorance and intolerance no longer exist. We look to the day where all families thrive and children have within their reach the tools to succeed. We will work to achieve our vision by living our mission and honoring our values each day.

We guide the staff and boards in carrying out our mission. We aspire to be an organization that:

  • Is responsive to the community
  • Is compassionate and non-judgmental
  • Respects diversity
  • Empowers each individual and family
  • Works as a team
  • Encourages innovative and creative ideas
  • Maintains strong ethics and integrity

The Board

2017 Board of Directors

The Upper Room has an exceptional group of community leaders that make up its Board of Directors. From all walks of life, businesses and levels of involvement, our Board actively guides the Upper Room in areas of financial management to legal matters and marketing communications.

Our Staff

Brenda Guggisberg , M. Ed, Executive Director  x 11

Linda Wojtkiewicz , Financial Administrator x 13

Ruth Marie Kay , M.Ed., Grant Manager, Parent Educator x 21 

Diane Casale , A.S., Certified Prevention Specialist, Adminstrative Coordinator, Program Coordinator - Greater Derry Juvenile Diversion Program (GDJD) x 14

Kate Briggs , B.A.  Marketing Director  x 17  

Michelle Brauch ,B.A., HiSET Program Coordinator, Adolescent Wellness Coordinator x 18 

Janis Lilly , M.Ed., Program Coordinator, Teen Information for Parenting Success (TIPS), Healthy Families America  (HFA) x 12

Sue Schick , M.A., LMHC,  Therapist, Preventive Counseling Services x 16,   Parent Education Facilitator x 27  

Pam Miller-Sallet , M.A., Program Facilitator, Families Reaching our Goals (FROG) x 22

Michelle James , M.S., LMHC, Program Coordinator/Home Visitor, Greater Derry Family Outreach (GDFO) and Child Health Support Services   x 22 

Elaina Wheaton , M.Ed., Instructor - HiSET Program, Facilitator - Challenge Course x 19

Cheryl Fruin , M.Ed, Adolescent Wellness Program Coordinator, YES Program Facilitator, HiSET Prog ram Math Tutor  x 15

Kortney Yasenka , LCMHC, Clinical Supervisor, Preventive Counseling Services, x 16

Sharon T. Bray, LSW, Facilitator,  UR Parents   x 18

Sheila Allen, Facilitator, Take Control , Challenge Course  x 18

Nicole Smith Martin, Facilitator, Take Control  x 18

Sister Juliann ParentChildcare - Families Reaching our Goals (FROG)  x 22

Alicia Triplett, LMHC - Clinical Supervisor – GDFO    x 22

Andrea Younie, Database Specialist/Auction Assistant   x 23

Lisa Holland,FROG Childcare/CSLO  x 14

Ann Marie Roy  TIPS Childcare x 12

Awards

The Upper Room is the proud recipient of the 2008- 2010 Smith Award for Excellence in Service to Families www.nctf.org
Citizen’s Bank/WMUR-TV Champion in Action
The 2011 Derry Londonderry Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award recipient
Finalist for the 2011 Corporate Fund Nonprofit Management Award 
Member of Family Support New Hampshire

Supporters

The Upper Room gratefully acknowledges the numerous grants and financial support from local, regional and national organizations. We couldn't perform our outreach programs without their generous support.

The Upper Room
  • Towns of Derry and Londonderry
  • New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
  • Horne Foundation
Active Parenting
  • Derry Rotary Club
  • Derry Village Rotary
Adolescent Wellness Program
  • Alexander Eastman Foundation
  • Granite United Way
HiSet
  • Pinkerton Academy
Greater Derry Family Outreach
  • Child and Family Services
  • The TJX Companies, Inc.
  • Alexander Eastman supported GDFO/FROG
Greater Derry Juvenile Diversion
  • NH State Advisory Group
  • Towns of Derry, Salem, Chester, and Londonderry
  • Emerson Thunderline
Teen Information For Parenting Success
  • Bank of America
  • Oak Foundation for Child Health and Education
  • The Women's Fund NH

Healthy Families America

  • Made possible through a contract with Child and Family Services

Food Pantry

  • Support from The Greater Derry Track Club
  • Crop Walk for Hunger
  • Pinkerton Academy Class of 2017
  • Annual Turkey Trot
  • Dozens of Community Food Drives, and donations fromour generous businesses and community partners.


We are always looking to build new community partnerships with businesses. To learn more about joining forces with The Upper Room, call Brenda Guggisberg at 437-8477 x11.