The Grapevine

Family & Community Resource Center

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Parent-Child Groups for Program Year 2024-2025

Better Beginnings Parent-Child Group

The Better Beginnings Parent-Child Program meets weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:30-11:30am; September-June. Birth-5yr.

Registration is required for this program; please contact us to inquire.

The Better Beginnings Parent-Child Program offers parents and caregivers the opportunity to gather while their children take part in an enrichment program. Once the parent and child are comfortably separated, parents will meet together for discussions on parenting topics of interest. Parent Group Facilitators – Carol Lunan and Andrea Jurewich– support conversation around a variety of topics such as relationships and relationship building; communication; attachment and bonding; early learning; child development; and/or any number of parenting topics of interest to the group.  Each morning, time is set aside for “checking in” with parents, offering the opportunity to discuss parenting and other challenges in a supportive, confidential, trusting environment. Parent groups are open and accessible to all families in the community.

Better Beginnings Children’s Enrichment Program offers time to play, social opportunities and activities that naturally support children’s individual needs and developmental abilities. Early childhood staff focus their attention on the children one-to-one or in small groups, and on designing child-friendly space that is warm, inviting, friendly and engaging.  Our staff follow children’s lead in choosing materials or activities, while also working to introduce new ideas and ways of playing. Activities offer experiences with dress-ups, homemade play dough, sand, water, music, art, books, snack, etc. in order to enhance each child’s experience. Playgroups provide important social opportunities for children, a chance for them to be together and learn to communicate and cooperate. The enrichment program is for children between the ages of one to five years. Younger babies can stay with their parents.

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Better Beginnings for Babies

The Better Beginnings for Babies Program meets weekly on Thursdays from 9:30-11am, September-June.

Registration is required for this program; please contact us to inquire.

The Better Beginnings for Babies group offers a space where parents and infants can feel safe and held in the circle of community.

Within the structure of Better Beginnings for Babies program, parents and/or caregivers have the time and space to talk about their hopes, concerns and individual resources. The circle embraces each parent/caregiver for where they are in their individual journey. Meanwhile, infants are free to explore their surroundings in a safe and supported environment with their caregivers nearby.

The group is facilitated and guided by Andrea Jurewich. To register and for more information, please contact us.

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Hillsborough Playgroups

The Hillsborough Playgroup meets twice weekly, September-June; Thursday mornings from 10am-12pm and afternoons from 12:30pm-2:30pm at Valley Bible Church in Hillsborough (we go outdoors as weather permits). Birth to 5yr.

Grapevine staff set up the room with fun, developmentally appropriate activities for the children, such as painting, playdough, puzzles, games, etc. All activities are facilitated by staff with a goal of enhancing social skills such as cooperation and communication. The children have the opportunity to socialize and play with other children while the parents take time to chat and relax. 

Out & About

Out & About is an outdoor-based program for parents and their children. Meets weekly on Thursdays starting September 12 from 10-11:30am.

Out & About is led by Grapevine staff members Maureen Troy and Leigh Frosch. Benefits of this program include getting families together outdoors, taking local hikes, and visiting fun places!

Jacqueline Roland

Jacqueline Roland

Director of Teen Programs

Hi, I’m Jacqueline and I joined the Grapevine in 2016.  I plan programs for our Avenue A Teen Center, which serves over 300 youth from the ConVal region. I also coordinate over 60 volunteers and interns who make these programs possible. 

Previously, I organized children’s programs for the Olivia Rodham Memorial Library, worked for the Monadnock Pumpkin Festival, blogged for Stay Work Play, and Co-Chaired the New Hampshire Legislative Youth Advisory Council. I received a BA in Public Relations from Southern New Hampshire University. 

I love spending time with our teens—hearing their stories and marveling at their talent in music, writing, sports, and anything they put their minds to! I specialize in cheering awkwardly during music performances, basketball games, or any other situation where awkward cheering feels even more awkward.

When I’m not at the Teen Center, I can be found drinking tea, grocery shopping, or watering my menagerie of houseplants!

Get in touch with Jacqueline

Rosemary Nugent

Rosemary Nugent

Kinship Navigator

Hi, my name is Rosemary Nugent and I first connected to the Grapevine as a grandparent.  In 2015, a new group, “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren “ was formed and I became an avid member of the group and like they say, the rest is history.

As Kinship Navigator, it is my hope to support and connect other grandparents and kinship caregivers to resources  that will help them in their new roles. My position as state rep for Generations United and my work on  the NH Senate Commission, Studying Grandfamilies in NH, will certainly work to my advantage.

I live in Antrim with my husband, grandson, 3 cats and one crazy dog and enjoy camping with my family and substitute teaching at Antrim Elementary School.

Get in touch with Rosemary

Carol Lunan, M.Ed.

Carol Lunan

Carol Lunan, M.Ed.

Family Support Program Director, Parent Group Facilitator, Workshop Leader, Home Visitor

Hi I am Carol and I have been with the Grapevine for a long time! In 2000, I joined a group of parents of four year olds to create the Learning Vine Preschool and taught as lead teacher from 2000 to 2017.

I collaborate with staff, families and community members to develop programs that support families.

I have worked in a variety of positions including as a teacher at Happy Valley Preschool, as a public school kindergarten teacher, and a Harris Center environmental educator.

I love my job and have heard this from others who work with me at The Grapevine. I have worked here for 20 years and I still love my job. I cannot imagine working anyplace else!!

My children are both grown up and I have 3 grandchildren…. they really do keep you young. We play all the time!!

Get in touch with Carol

Andrea Jurewich, M.Ed.

Andrea Jurewich

Andrea Jurewich, M.Ed.

Early Childhood Educator

Hi, I am Andrea and I work with children in the Better Beginnings program and facilitate parent support groups. I found the Grapevine as a parent in 2016. Both of my boys have enjoyed programming at the Grapevine.

It has been a very natural and welcoming transition from parent to staff member at such a wonderful resource center.

Before becoming a mother, I was a classroom teacher for about ten years. I taught first and second grade for Boston Public Schools. In 2014, my husband and I traded city life for life in beautiful Antrim. I was a kindergarten teacher in the ConVal school district for one year before resigning to focus on raising my children. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Boston University and a Master’s in Special Education from the University of Massachusetts Boston.

In my free time I enjoy hiking with my family, trips to Maine, and meeting up with my book club friends.

Get in touch with Andrea

Melissa Gallagher

Melissa Gallagher

Melissa Gallagher

Executive Director

Hi, I am Melissa and I first came to the Grapevine as a parent with my six month old son in 2007.  Well, I came and I never left! I got involved as a parent volunteer and then joined the Grapevine Board of Directors in 2011.  I became Chair of the Board in 2013 and assumed the position of Executive Director in 2015 after my predecessor of 18 years, Kristen (Vance) McCormick stepped down.

I am responsible for the Grapevine’s finances, day to day management and operations and overall well-being of our staff and organization. I also represent our organization on several statewide groups including as a board member of Family Support New Hampshire and a member of the NH Wellness and Primary Prevention Council.

I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Relations from the University of Connecticut and my Master’s of Business Administration in Health and Human Services from the Heller School at Brandeis University. I have spent my career working with and on behalf of families and children.  I have worked for United Way in Boston on youth advocacy initiatives, at the Providence After School Alliance in Providence, RI to build a system of out of school supports for youth and, after a move to New Hampshire in 2005, worked at the state level to advocate for policies in support of child and family well being.  

This role at the Grapevine is my dream job – it requires an amazing blend of direct service, community connection and advocacy.  I live in Hancock with my husband Mark, and two children. I think this area of NH is an ideal place to raise a family!

Get in touch with Melissa