10/31/2019
Congrats Caitlin!
Turning Points Network (TPN) is pleased to announce that Caitlin Cavanaugh, an AmeriCorps VISTA member serving at TPN, has been selected to co-receive the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award in the National Service Member Category at Volunteer NH’s 2019 Spirit of NH Awards!!
Caitlin is a Catholic Charities NH AmeriCorps VISTA serving at TPN. “AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members bring passion and perseverance where the need is greatest: to organizations that help eradicate poverty. They serve as a catalyst for change, living and working alongside community members to meet our nation’s most pressing challenges and advance local solutions,” said Renée Perreault, Project Coordinator CCNH AmeriCorps VISTA Program, Catholic Charities New Hampshire
The Spirit of NH Awards is an annual recognition event where nominated individuals, groups, nonprofits, educational institutions, and businesses from across NH are honored either for their exemplary volunteerism or their promotion of volunteer service. This year’s Spirit of NH Awards will be held on Wednesday, November 13th, from 7-9 PM, at the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 South Main Street in Concord, NH). The event is free and open to the public; no tickets are required.
Caitlin will receive special recognition for this top award in the national service category alongside another AmeriCorps member, Meghan Stewart, who is doing similar work at HAVEN in Portsmouth, NH.
“Our review team decided that there was no reason to decide between Meghan and Caitlin – one AmeriCorps AVAP member providing direct service to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and one AmeriCorps VISTA member providing capacity building services to an organization that supports the same population. Instead, we are going to take this opportunity to highlight the opposite sides of AmeriCorps service, and present the award to both of them. Their nominations both scored very high in our review process; Caitlin is certainly deserving of this top honor,” said Mikayla Collins, Programs Officer for Volunteer NH – State AmeriCorps Office.
Caitlin has provided vision and marketing skills to support and enhance the Green Dot Bystander program, TPN’s prevention education programs for local schools, and Changes Thrift Store (a program of TPN) and she has helped maintain the agency’s website. “Caitlin has used her skills, compassion and creativity, to increase our social media presence and enhance events and programs,” said Deborah Mozden, Executive Director at TPN.
One example of Caitlin’s broad reaching service to TPN and our communities includes
growing and coordinating our social media presence to help create a more supportive and informed community. “This is a direct benefit for survivors because word of mouth is our greatest source of referral. More people knowing about TPN means more people knowing how to connect a friend, family member or colleague to our services,” said Mozden.
In addition, Caitlin has used her own artwork to illustrate and enhance complex messages about victimization, resiliency, inclusiveness, and healing; her own artwork has been featured on our social media during sexual assault awareness month. Through art, she’s made tough issues more accessible for the community to learn about. Her artwork and her graphic design skills have helped TPN reach out further into the community. “By sharing her own artwork she’s inspired others to get involved by creatively showing ways we can all make a difference,” said Kerry Rochford Hague, Community Educator at TPN.
TPN is grateful for the spirit of service Caitlin brings to TPN; her skills, calm demeanor and positive outlook benefit TPN –and our community—every day.
For more information about the Spirt of NH Awards call 603-271-7203. To see samples of Caitlin’s artwork, find TPN on Facebook or go to our website www.turningpointsnetwork.org.
Left: Renée Perreault, Project Coordinator AmeriCorps VISTA Program for Catholic Charities New Hampshire
Middle: Caitlin Cavanaugh, AmeriCorps VISTA member serving at Turning Points Network
Right: Maddie Odell, VISTA Leader for Catholic Charities New Hampshire
