In effort to be more environmentally conscious, this issue of
Spring Highlights will be digital only. Please let us know what you think!
"If you are listening and believing what the person is telling you about the experience they had, it changes everything."
Peggy O'Neil, WISE Executive Director, A WISER conversation
Dear Friends,

Spring is so beautiful here at the WISE Program Center. The fragrance of the lilacs lingers, the fringe tree is in full bloom, and the grass is green. Things are humming along as we slowly transition back to being together in the Program Center.

We are winding down celebrating our 50 year anniversary and looking ahead to the next 50 years supporting survivors in the Upper Valley. In the age of COVID, we have missed having in-person events to celebrate together. We have intentionally offered more intimate ways to be connected - the WISER podcast, A WISER Conversation, and our social media heritage campaign. While we lacked in festivities, we focused on opportunities to maintain connection with all of you. We hope you have followed along as we honored our past, highlighted where we are today, all of which set the strong foundation for our future. Thank you for staying on that journey with us.

Warmest Regards,
Spring Highlights 2022
2022 Graduating seniors of the Lebanon High School girls lacrosse team
Not in Our House
The Not in Our House Fund was established 10 years ago by the Lebanon Girl's Lacrosse team in honor of their beloved teacher Natalie Perriello who was a victim of domestic violence.

Inspired by Natalie's deep commitment to education, the team created the NIOH fund to support young people as they participate in sports and attend camp. The fund also awards a scholarship to one graduating Lebanon senior who will attend a 4-year college program. The team players change year after year, and they remain committed to NIOH. Today the fund is robust and continues to make a difference in young people's lives.

"As we get further away from the tragedy that took Natalie Periello away, we are even more committed to honoring her memory through the Not In Our House fund. It is our hope that her legacy will live on no matter how many years pass. Not only are we providing opportunities to children in homes with domestic violence but we are hopefully showing our student athletes the difference they can make well beyond the field by giving back to their community as Natalie did for her students." - Sara Ecker, Head Coach, Lebanon High School Girls Lacrosse Team
Growing safe spaces
In last year's Spring Highlights, we shared the news that we purchased a multi-unit apartment building which will provide transitional apartments, allowing survivors to stay for longer periods of time than what is possible in the Safe Home. The fully furnished apartments will offer a safe space for survivors to take a deep breath and live their lives in the aftermath of violence as they prepare for the next part of their lives.

This past year, we have been busy renovating the building. We replaced the roof, upgraded the plumbing and electrical systems, and replaced the exterior siding. The old carriage house was reframed to create a new laundry and common area, and existing front units were redesigned to create an accessible two-bedroom unit. The project is coming together and we are optimistic that it will be ready for occupancy in the fall. We are so grateful for the many people who helped make this incredible project possible.
“I remember when WISE started in the 1970’s in the funky upstairs meeting room in the old Hanover Hardware Building. You had to climb some rickety stairs to get into that meeting room, a modest start to a great organization. I was honored to become the first male board member and treasurer in the 1990’s where I learned how every dollar was well-spent providing WISE’s vital services. There was then, and still is, a great need for WISE in the Upper Valley. My wife, Peggy, and I have been strong supporters of WISE ever since.”
Paul Gross, Designer Gold
While Paul was a WISE board member in the 90’s, Designer Gold put a donation jar on the counter for customers. When customers brought in jewelry for cleaning, a free service, Peggy and Paul suggested they donate to WISE as payment. They called it The Cleaning Jar, and it still remains on the counter today. Seeing the jar sparks a conversation and provides an opportunity to talk about WISE and its services. Usually customers are already familiar with WISE, but those who do not know WISE are pleased to learn about the organization.

Since the beginning of The Cleaning Jar, customers have donated more that $5,000 to WISE! We are very grateful for the support of our Upper Valley community.
Honoring our board
Two WISE Board members are finishing their terms this year. While we will miss them during our monthly gatherings, we are pleased that they will remain closely connected to WISE and our mission.
Emily Dentzer

Emily joined the WISE Board in 2012 and has been a member of the Executive Committee as Secretary of the Board since 2017. Her legal background has been invaluable in both the board’s governance work and WISE’s work in the community. 

"It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve on the WISE board for the past 10 years. WISE is an incredible organization doing vital work to end gender-based violence on the interpersonal, community, and societal level. The passion and dedication of WISE’s leadership, staff, volunteers, and my fellow board members are truly inspiring. I am proud to have been associated with WISE, and hope I have been able to contribute, in some small way, to its important work for social change." -Emily
Hannah Saltman

Hannah joined the WISE Board as the 2021–22 Tuck Revers Board Fellow, and immediately became an active member of the group, most notably bringing her past professional experience with board best practices to our governance committee.

"Over the past year, my experience on the WISE board has deepened my understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges facing an organization working to end gender-based violence in rural communities. I have been deeply inspired by how dedicated, thoughtful and generous the WISE board and staff are in their commitment to address relationship abuse in the Upper Valley, and my time on the WISE board has inspired me to continue this work after I graduate in my new home city of Seattle, WA." -Hannah
Born to be WISE
We experienced our own WISE baby boomlet this past year. Naomi, Gloria, and Beatrice were born during this year of celebration!
Naomi with Mom, Phanuelle, Rural Advocacy Coordinator
Gloria held by Mom, Kate, WISE Program Director
Beatrice with Mom, Shannon, MITC Co-Coordinator
 
 
 
 
If you are planning to participate in NH Gives this year, please consider including WISE! NH Gives is New Hampshire's day of giving, an initiative of NH Center for Nonprofits.

The WISE page will be live at 5:00 pm here.
 
 
 
 
Have you listened to our podcast WISER - 50 years ending gender-based violence yet? All six episodes are available on our website! Check out our new media section and catch up.

We remain so appreciative to Jess Chayes and Northern Stage for the technical and production expertise, and to Mascoma Bank for their generous support.
 
 
 
 
If you were not able to join us for our first livestreamed A WISER conversation, you can watch the recording! Tune in and watch Peggy O'Neil, Kate Rohdenburg, and Jess Chayes talk about the stories we tell, the power of language, and the hope for creating lasting change.

A HUGE thank you to the CATV8 crew for producing and recording the event. Access A WISER Conversation here.
Leading the Upper Valley to end gender-based violence
Program Center · 38 Bank Street · Lebanon, NH 03766
every hour, every day 866-348-WISE
603-448-5922 · wiseuv.org · @WISEuv