Staff

Brenda Hennessy

Children’s Enrichment

Hello, I’m Brenda. I always knew I wanted to be a part of The Grapevine in some way and here I am. I read, sing and create imaginary play with the children in the Better Beginnings and Hillsborough playgroup programs. I am also a volunteer for TACO (Teens Are Cooking Organization), a program of our Avenue A Teen Center.

Previously, my life was very busy working at Osram Sylvania in the stockroom and as a dedicated on-call EMT for the Antrim Ambulance for 22 years. In my career I found my passion as an instructor for the Academy of First Response. Most weekends I would travel to surrounding towns teaching the practical skills for new EMTs. It was a great way to give back to my community. Eventually, it was time to slow down and in 2023 I retired from Osram Sylvania after 44 amazing years.

I am happy in this new chapter of my life. I get to be a part of my community in a different way and it has been so rewarding! I’m so blessed to have a wonderful family and supportive friends. I live in Antrim with my husband where we raised our daughters. We have 3 wonderful grandchildren. If I am not working, I like to enjoy a hot cup of tea with my husband and play with our precious cat Meeka!

Maureen Troy

Out & About Co-Leader

Hi, I’m Maureen.  My first experience with the Grapevine was in 2021 when my daughter attended the Learning Vine preschool.  The following year my other daughter attended the Learning Vine.  As a family we also joined the Stay and Play group and attended special Grapevine events such as the annual Spring Walk and Snow Families Play Date.  

The Grapevine has been a wonderful place for me and my family to connect with other families, enjoy the creativity of play and support others in our communities. 

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art and Italian from Connecticut College and a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from Saint Joseph’s University.  I taught second grade in Nashua and Amherst before staying home to raise my children in Francestown. Originally from Pennsylvania, I’ve also worked at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and taught many children to swim through swim lessons and swim coaching.  I love outdoor adventures, swimming, hiking, painting, running and especially spending time with my family.  I love living in the Monadnock region and taking advantage of all the wonderful local beauties and businesses.  I am excited to join the team at the Grapevine to lead outdoor adventures for families in our area.

Leigh Frosch

Children’s Enrichment & Co-Leader, Out and About

Hi, I’m Leigh and I am new to the Grapevine as of 2023. I work in the Children’s Enrichment portion of our Better Beginnings program and co-lead Out and About. 

Before coming to the Grapevine, I spent many years as a stay at home Mom before returning to work at First Friends Preschool.

I feel very blessed to be a part of this amazing place. I live in Antrim with my husband Barry and our three children. We enjoy all the chaos of their very busy lives.

Mikayla Essex

Home Visitor

Hi, I am Mikayla and I first met The Grapevine in 2018 while looking for a baby group to join with my infant son. Very happily we found Better Beginnings for Babies and eagerly came each week to meet with other parents and children. Later on we participated in Better Beginnings and enjoyed the sense of community we received from the program and treasured the many wonderful experiences we had there. 

In 2023, I happily joined The Grapevine staff as the home visitor providing one-to-one support to individuals and families connected here. I have always enjoyed meeting people and hearing their stories since I was a child so I kind of feel like I am living a dream to get to do so professionally! I feel fortunate that I get to meet and talk with so many people each day in this wonderful community that I also call home. 

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband and our son doing whatever it is we find ourselves doing! I enjoy baking, amateur gardening, learning about foraging, hearing my son tell me jokes, playing with our pets, and trailwalking when I can.  

Karen Pellicano

Community Health Case Coordinator

Hi, I’m Karen.  I started at the Grapevine in 2023 as the Community Health Case Coordinator.   

I attended child and parent programs with my kids when they were younger, and have always loved the sense of community at the Grapevine. I returned to school in 2023 to earn my degree in Public Health, and knew I wanted to work in the community to help families find their strengths and necessary resources.

Before coming to the Grapevine, I worked in a non-profit organization that secured funding for family resource centers around the state. I’ve advocated for policy change and increased funding, but I was missing the connection of working in a close community to help families. The Grapevine has been exactly what I was hoping to find.  I enjoy speaking with people about the challenges they face, and problem solving solutions together.

Lisa Swarbrick

Financial Coordinator & Office Administrator

Hi, I’m Lisa Swarbrick and I am excited to be the Financial Coordinator/Office Manager of the Grapevine. Since starting here, I have felt that everything I have done in my life were steps leading me here.

I worked for one company for many years where I grew professionally and wore many hats. Throughout those years, I held positions of Office Manager, Accounting Manager, and Human Resource Director. 

During my career, I also raised a family and did my best to make time for volunteer efforts. My most rewarding volunteer work was as a tutor at our local Adult Learning center. I assisted students in working to obtain their GED, as well as, those working to obtain citizenship. Later, I joined a committee that was seeking volunteers to help maintain the local hiking trails. It wasn’t long after, thinking that I was just going to help out a little bit here and there, that I then became the Chairperson for 7 years for the Friends of North Andover Trails Committee.

As a new resident to the area, I am so happy to have found a place where I can apply my experience and skills into an organization and a community that puts family and well-being as their first priority.

Whenever not working, I can be found landscaping, gardening, creating memories with my grandchildren, or planning & hosting social events; especially themed tea parties.