Advisory Board
High Hopes Clubhouse has an independent Advisory Board that was established in 1997 when the Clubhouse was developed. Our Advisory Board meets on an every other month schedule, monthly if needed, to plan fund-raising events, coordinate employment opportunities, review financials, and to ensure the Clubhouse philosophy, mission statement and performance outcomes measures are intact. The Advisory Board ensures the overall success of the Clubhouse. Approximately 30% of our Board either have jobs in the mental health field or are part of NAMI.
Advisory Board Members
Kim Croswell – Kim is our new Board Chair. Kim is a local real estate agent who works for Coldwell Banker Plourde Real Estate. As part of the advisory board, Kim has taken on the issues of dental health for persons living with mental illness and the importance of dental health in returning to work. Kim also brings in many community people into the Clubhouse making connections for us in the community. She has been our “Celebrity” chef many times and recruits anyone she can from her family, her office or the general community to come and learn about the Clubhouse, meet our members, and cook lunch. Kim is very involved in all fundraising activities and is currently working with a sub-committee on High Hopes Clubhouse building expansion/purchase.
Lisa Soucie- Director of High Hopes Clubhouse. Lisa has worked in the mental health field since 1983, starting her career at the Augusta Mental Health Institute. In 1996, Lisa was hired as part of the original staff team to start High Hopes Clubhouse. She has attended Clubhouse Colleague Training, Clubhouse International Faculty Training, Employment Track Training and is a Clubhouse Advisory Council member for Clubhouse International. Lisa became the director of High Hopes Clubhouse 15 years ago and is active in the Maine Clubhouse Coalition ensuring that all Clubhouses in Maine retain International Accreditation to ensure the best possible service for the members.
Mike Roy – Mike is the City Manager of Waterville. As the City Manager, Mike provides a direct link to all city departments. Mike is a member of the Waterville Rotary Club. Mike supports the Clubhouse with job development, fundraising, advocacy for member needs (such as city heat assistance) and recruitment of new board members. Mike has served on the Advisory Board for over 20 years. Most recently Mike assisted in developing two TE sites at Waterville Parks and Recreation.
Dr. Robert Croswell – Dr. Croswell is the chief of Psychiatry at Thayer Hospital. He also has a private practice in Waterville and has been a supporter of Clubhouse for many years. He is a community referral source and assists many members to find their way to our Clubhouse. Dr. Croswell has also been our “Celebrity” chef and is involved in promotion and advocacy for our Clubhouse.
Justin Jurdak – Justin is an active member of the Clubhouse. He has worked three Transitional Employment positions through the Clubhouse. Justin recently received his MHRT/C at Amethyst and is currently pursuing employment in his chosen field. Justin has attended three-week Colleague Training and attended a national employment conference in Washington D.C with members and staff of High Hopes Clubhouse where he co-facilitated a workshop on engaging Young Adults in the Clubhouse Fast Track to Employment. Justin takes an active lead co-facilitating new member orientations, tours, and community presentations.
Dave Dawson – Dave retired after a 25-year career with the Toms Rivers, NJ Police Department. Currently, Dave serves on the Board of NAMI Mid- Maine United Way and is a teacher of the NAMI Family to Family Course. Dave is the President of the Waterville Food Bank and a member of the Waterville Rotary. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Mid- Maine United Way and is also a member of the Advisory Board for Youth Conservation Corps of Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance, Dave serves as an important connection to the many services in our community.
Rachel Merriam – Rachel Merriam is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor working out of the Augusta Career Center. Rachel has a dual caseload of students transitioning out of high school into adulthood. Rachel has been working for VR for 6 ½ years and during her first year of service worked as the VR Counselor for High Hopes Clubhouse. She believes strongly in the mission of the Clubhouse and continues to refer young adults to the Clubhouse program. Rachel is a board member of the APSE Maine Chapter. Rachel is currently an active High Hopes Clubhouse advisory board member seeking to bring awareness to the community and the strong supports of Clubhouse that improve the quality of life for the members.
Candy Lessard- Candy is the Assistant Director of High Hopes Clubhouse and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mental Health and Human Services which she acquired at the University of Maine in Augusta in 2010. Prior to coming to Clubhouse Candy worked as a Team Leader for Crisis and Counseling and owned and operated Highlander Laundromat and Tanning for twelve years which is located in Waterville. Candy has been in her current role as Assistant Director for 4 years previously working as a unit coordinator in both the membership and business employment units two years prior. Candy has a huge passion for the Clubhouse Model which she brings to the Clubhouse every day. She is an employment specialist, three-week Colleague Trained staff and a Certified Benefits Specialist. Candy is dedicated to assisting members of the Clubhouse to navigate barriers to employment in order to achieve their employment goals.
Hanna Bard – Hanna is the Director of the Mid-Maine Regional Adult Community Education. She has assisted our Clubhouse members in starting their educational path to obtaining their GED, connecting with literacy volunteers, and doing career exploration. Hanna serves as an important connection to ensure Clubhouse members have the supports to meet their educational goals.
Cheryl Davis – Cheryl is the Administrator of Outpatient, Substance Abuse and Community Services for Kennebec Behavioral Health. Cheryl provides a direct link from the Clubhouse to the auspice agency. She is instrumental in the continuing development of the Clubhouse program within the agency. She is a key person in ensuring that the auspice agency recognizes the needs of the Clubhouse program and the need to be full standards-based Clubhouse. She advocates for our independence as a Clubhouse and advocates for the members. Cheryl attends and has presented at International Seminars and has attended the Three Week Colleague Training.
Deputy Chief of Police, William Bonney – Bill is the Deputy Chief of the Waterville Police Department. Bill is new to our Advisory Board replacing the former Deputy Chief of Police. Recently Bill has worked to improve relations between the Waterville Police and High Hopes Clubhouse by including High Hopes Clubhouse to sit on the hiring committee for a new patrol officer. Bill has participated and supported the Waterville Police in the most recent fundraising event for High Hopes Clubhouse.
Anita Anderson – Anita is an active member of the Clubhouse and has worked several TE sites and a group site. She presents in many community presentations and is a lead member in giving Clubhouse tours and presentations. She has attended three International Clubhouse Seminars, Three Week Colleague Training, and is now a faculty member of Clubhouse International.
Weston Uhlman – (Wes) is our assigned Vocational Counselor for the State of Maine Department of Labor supporting job development and job coaching services. Wes has a real passion for Clubhouse and is a great addition to our community. Wes is always looking for job placements and opportunities for our members and supports the Clubhouse members to realize independence from benefits to self-sufficiency.
Kirsten Roy- Kirsten is a member of Clubhouse and is a great representative of the membership. Kirsten has represented the Clubhouse at National Conferences and has spoken at the Breakfast Briefing at the United Nations. Kirsten has worked both TE sites and SE sites and is currently working towards a degree in Criminal Justice.
Mark Kavanaugh Ph.D. – Mark is the chair of the Department of Social Sciences at Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield. Mark is new to our Advisory board having attended his first meeting in March of this year, 2108.
Toby Rose – Toby is the store manager at Save-A-Lot in Waterville. Toby is new to our Advisory board. Since the grand opening of Save-A-Lot in 2012, Toby and his crew have employed over eleven members of the Clubhouse. The Clubhouse currently has one transitional employment placement as well as two supported employment placements both of which are full time.
Jonathan Farr- Jonathan is the Assistant Manager at Joseph’s Fireside Steakhouse in Waterville. Jon is new to our Advisory board and fulfills a vital role on our Advisory Board as an employer. Joseph’s Fireside Steakhouse has been a High Hopes Clubhouse employment partner since 2011, employing over thirty-eight members in either transitional employment or supported employment. In 2015, Joseph’s Fireside Steakhouse received the James R. Schmidt Employer of the Year award. This award is presented annually to a person or organization that best exemplifies the late Jim Schmidt’s efforts to improve quality of life for adults who experience mental illness.
Adam Farr- Adam is the General Manager at Joseph’s Fireside Steakhouse in Waterville. Adam along with his brother Jon, are both new to our Advisory board. Adam has been a manager is one form or another for several years at Joseph’s Fireside Steakhouse. Fireside Steakhouse has been a High Hopes Clubhouse employment partner since 2011, employing over thirty-eight members in either transitional employment or supported employment. In 2015, Joseph’s Fireside Steakhouse received the James R. Schmidt Employer of the Year award. This award is presented annually to a person or organization that best exemplifies the late Jim Schmidt’s efforts to improve quality of life for adults who experience mental illness.