In 2000, Celeste was a concerned parent, willing to get involved, take a stand, and work hard to get the idea of a Coalition going.  The University of New Hampshire invited members of the community together to have a conversation about Raymond NH youth who participated in a Youth Risk Behavior Survey sampling.  This report showed our youth to have the highest rates of past thirty-day use for Alcohol, Marijuana, Tobacco and other drugs. As a parent of four children in the school district, it was time to get involved and be a part of the solution.  

Devoting more hours of her personal time than she can count, Celeste is living proof that believing in a cause, and working diligently, can bring about amazing change. Celeste is a positive thinker and a true believer in empowering youth and giving them a voice.  In addition to Celeste’s infectious passion for youth and community collaboration, she is well versed in the continuum of substance misuse prevention, treatment and recovery. She approaches working with individuals and the community with compassion and understanding. She is a CADCA (Community Anti-Drug/Alcohol Coalitions of America) graduate, managed two cycles of Federal Drug Free Community grant funding, and holds certificates Nonprofit Management, Grant Writing, Juvenile Diversion, Connect Suicide Prevention, and stays updated and current on substance misuse prevention practices.  

"I treasure the adult role models who were there for me growing up. In our work we never know when our prevention efforts will impact someone and make a difference. For me, I will always remember the day our school had a speaker come in who said "you don't need alcohol or any other drug to have fun." That was a message I hadn't gotten from any adult in my life prior to that day. Substance misuse prevention and positive youth development takes everyone in the community working together to make it a success. I am proud of the partnerships and relationships RCFY has created in our community over the years, and am even more grateful for the positive impact it has had for our youth."

Few understand the needs of the youth and community more than someone like Pam who has dedicated much of her time not only to the Coalition but to the many committees and boards. Pam is a local businesswoman, foster care mother, substitute teacher, and long-time resident of Raymond. She served on the Coalition’s Board for four years before transitioning into the role of Finance Officer and is the current Administrative Program Coordinator, where the Coalition continues to benefit greatly from her insight and extensive financial accounting background and expertise.

Pamela joined the RCFY team in August of 2021. She has a passion for supporting our young people through prevention and recovery efforts. RCFY is excited to have someone with such dedication and enthusiasm, along with a commitment to our youth and community, to help engage, educate and empower our RCFY Youth Action programs.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to work as Program Coordinator for a terrific team with RCFY. I spent my childhood growing up in Raymond and have worked with the school system for many years. My heart has always been with this small-town community and the youth that reside here. Over the years I have watched the Coalition support youth and families who have struggled with substance misuse, emotional health issues and provide positive social connections and opportunities. It is my desire to be part of this team that gives youth a voice and offers their families the support it takes to assure wellness for all our children. “