HAVEN Receives Champion in Action Award

From Left: Joe Carelli, NH president of Citizens Bank; Kathy Beebe, executive director of HAVEN; and Joe McQuaid, publisher of the NH Union Leader. Photo: Rasky Partners

HAVEN (formerly A Safe Place & SASS)—a nonprofit assisting women, men and children affected by domestic and sexual violence with offices in Portsmouth, Rochester and Salem—received a 2017 Champion in Action award in the category of violence prevention. The award, presented by Citizens Bank and the NH Union Leader in Manchester, includes $35,000 in unrestricted funding as well as promotional and volunteer support for the organization’s work.

Champions in Action is part of Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities, Citizen Bank’s program designed to enhance quality of life and economic vitality in local communities. It provides support for nonprofit organizations to recognize their contributions to communities throughout New Hampshire.

“Citizens is proud to support HAVEN as our next Champion in Action, as they continue and expand on their mission to prevent sexual and domestic violence,” says Joe Carelli, NH president of Citizens Bank. “HAVEN’s work has made a profound impact on the lives of hundreds of New Hampshire residents.”

Brendan McQuaid, president of the NH Union Leader, adds that the newspaper is "proud to join Citizens Bank, to honor HAVEN as a Champion in Action. Their work in violence prevention as well as the services they offer to those experiencing domestic and sexual violence help many lead safer, healthier lives."

HAVEN provides services to individuals in 48 southeastern NH cities and towns. The organization will use the Champions in Action award to expand their Safe Kids Strong Teens violence prevention program, which presents an age-appropriate, interactive curriculum to teach children in grades K-12 about their right to be safe from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, sexual harassment, bullying and teen dating violence.

“We want to thank Citizens Bank and the New Hampshire Union Leader for recognizing HAVEN as a Champion in Action and for their support,” says Kathy Beebe, executive director, HAVEN. “Being a Champion in Action will help HAVEN end violence and change lives by providing critical prevention programs and 24-hour support services to southeastern New Hampshire youth and families impacted by domestic and sexual violence.”

To date, the Champions in Action program has awarded 317 nonprofits more than $8.6 million in contributions and promotional support. 

As a Champion in Action, HAVEN will receive:

• A $35,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from Citizens Bank.
• Media coverage from the NH Union Leader, including advertising and editorial support.
• Volunteer support from Citizens and NH Union Leader colleagues during HAVEN programs.
• The opportunity for the organization’s executive director to participate in a “Executive-to-Executive” mentorship with a Citizens Bank executive.
• Public relations support including press releases and social media posts.
• Promotional support highlighting the Champion in Action in Citizens Bank branches.
• Exposure on the Citizens Bank and NH Union Leader websites.

Click here for more information about the Citizens Bank and the NH Union Leader Champions in Action program.