DOVER — Leadership Seacoast, a nonprofit organization that develops informed, engaged, and active leaders in the Seacoast, invited its 39 members to a deep dive on Health and Human Services available to the Seacoast.

Sponsored by Riverwoods Exeter, the workshop featured experts from around New Hampshire and was held at the McConnell Center in Dover.

The day commenced with a talk by Tym Rourke, director of substance use disorders, grant-making and strategic initiatives at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and chair of the Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery. Rourke reflected on the universal reality of mental health and opioid abuse which occurs not only in the Seacoast area, but in all of New Hampshire.

Following Rourke, Kerry Norton, Co-founder and operations director of Hope on Haven Hill in Rochester, discussed the drug epidemic the importance of early intervention. Hope on Haven Hill is a level 3.5 substance use treatment organization that serves homeless, pregnant, and newly parenting mothers who are in recovery.

“It is not enough to provide a safe and nurturing place for those seeking recovery, we must educate and inform as well,” Norton said. “We promote independence an sustained sobriety through therapy, coaching support and esteem building programs.”

Participants conversed with Sarah Shanahan and Emily Murphy, representatives from Haven, an organization dedicated to addressing public health through violence prevention and improving the well-being of children and families. In the afternoon, Janet Guen and Lauren Wool of the United Way of the Greater Seacoast discussed decision making and early intervention. The workshop concluded with insight from Kathy Crompton of Strafford County Community Action Program and Patti Frew-Waters, of Seacoast Family Promise.

Thanks to Leadership Seacoast program day sponsor Riverwoods and yearlong sponsors Revision Energy, Devine Millimet and Calypso Communications, Leadership Seacoast is able to provide life-changing experiences to each student, create opportunities and connections with alumni, and inspire action and volunteerism through its provoking programming. For more information about Leadership Seacoast and becoming a corporate sponsor, visit www.leadershipseacoast.org, call Jennifer Wheeler at (603) 334-6063 or email jwheeler@leadershipseacoast.org.