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.

Kim Bylancik

Avenue A Coordinator

Greetings! My name is Kim, and I joined the Grapevine in 2023. I work alongside Jacqueline as the Avenue A Coordinator, helping to expand our offerings to our amazing and diverse community of teens.

Committed to youth development, I previously was the 4-H program manager for Cheshire County/UNH Cooperative Extension, mentored AmeriCorps members as an Impact Manager in Manchester’s schools through City Year New Hampshire, developed and directed before and afterschool programming for Harrisville and Marlborough, and have spent innumerable sunny days and starry nights leading teens in the backcountry of the Northeast and beyond.

I moved to New Hampshire to pursue my master’s in Environmental Education from Antioch New England, and immediately discovered that the Monadnock Region is my home. The Grapevine is quickly becoming an extension of that home, and nothing brings me more joy than watching our teens thrive as they connect with each other, our amazing volunteers, and their community.

When not at Avenue A I can be found jumping into freezing water, ignoring mundane chores, or coaching the fantastic Cheshire Cats Jump Rope team in Keene.

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.