Our Staff
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VolunteersThe Staff at Neighborhood Connections is very grateful to the volunteers who cover our reception desk each day; answering phones, greeting visitors and supplying important clerical assistance with various projects.
If you are interested in volunteering, please call us at (802) 824-4343. |
Board of Directors
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Nicole Wengerd
Executive Director Nicole was an original staff member when Gloria Dawson and Delores Barbeau first opened Neighborhood Connections eleven years ago. After two years as the agency's Social Worker, she left to pursue a Ph.D in Environmental Studies. She also holds a Master's Degree in Sociology, with a focus on applied community and economic development. For the past seven years she has taught at Keene State College. A New Jersey native, Nicole lives in Manchester with her husband Josh and two daughters, Wren and Charley. When not working or enjoying time with her family, she loves to run and has a great passion for traveling. |
MC Schwartz
Communications
Mary Claire Schwartz has been with the agency since 2014, not counting a one-year hiatus. Her duties have recently changed and presently she is responsible for the agency's communications. She lives in Peru with her poodles Buddy and DeeDee.
Maggi Royle
Finance and Office Manager
With over 30 years experience in public accounting, Maggi is responsible for managing the agency's finances as well as office operations. She and her husband Doug moved to Shaftsbury, Vermont three years ago, after living in Albany, NY for 15 years previous.
She has a passion for gardening and travel. She and Doug have two grown children who live in Boston and St. Louis, MO.
With over 30 years experience in public accounting, Maggi is responsible for managing the agency's finances as well as office operations. She and her husband Doug moved to Shaftsbury, Vermont three years ago, after living in Albany, NY for 15 years previous.
She has a passion for gardening and travel. She and Doug have two grown children who live in Boston and St. Louis, MO.
Elisa Donato
Outreach and Development Director
Elisa joined the organization in August 2020 and hails from the Albany, NY area. She has worked with individuals experiencing homelessness; those impacted by HIV/AIDS; and in hospice care. Before settling in Vermont she spent seveal years living and working in a remote Nicaraguan fishing village after serving in Iraq as a NY Army National Guard member. She holds a Master of Social Work degree and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management.
Elisa joined the organization in August 2020 and hails from the Albany, NY area. She has worked with individuals experiencing homelessness; those impacted by HIV/AIDS; and in hospice care. Before settling in Vermont she spent seveal years living and working in a remote Nicaraguan fishing village after serving in Iraq as a NY Army National Guard member. She holds a Master of Social Work degree and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management.
Katey Doyle
Social Worker
Katey joined the organization in December 2021 as a full-time Social Worker after earning her Master of Social Work degree from the University of New England. Katey earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2016. She relocated from Alaska in 2017, where she was raised on Kodiak Island. Since moving to Vermont, she has worked in the education and social services fields.
Katey lives in Windsor County with her fiancée, Melissa and their two, beautiful daughters. She loves music, dancing, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Katey lives in Windsor County with her fiancée, Melissa and their two, beautiful daughters. She loves music, dancing, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Lois Schram Osnow
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Lois Schram Osnow, LCSW, joined Neighborhood Connections in June, 2022. She is a licensed clinical social worker. Prior to moving to Vermont, she was co-founder and owner of LS Gerontology Seminars, founded in 2002, where she instituted culture change projects in more than 25 long-term care facilities in addition to providing training to more than 75 long-term care facilities in the tri-state area. Lois and her husband Stuart live in Londonderry and have 22 year old twins named Bennie and Anna Rose. She occasionally brings Jack, her golden retriever who is now a retired service dog, to the office.
Barbara Dailey
Program Coordinator
Barbara joined the organization in June 2022, after nearly 16 years working in administration at Brown University, where she honed her skills in collaborating and management of programs, projects, events, and data. Prior to her time at Brown, she homeschooled two sons. She also worked as a midwifery assistant and in childcare, restaurants, bookstores, and community organizations.
As Programs Coordinator, Barbara is responsible for managing the agency's social services programs, including The Mountain Town Connector, and the School Partnership initiative.
Barbara lives in Jamaica in the house she built (and continues to build) with her husband, Tom. They recently relocated from their 1804 homestead on the RI/CT line. When not wielding a hammer, Barbara enjoys family, friends, music, and hiking in the mountains.
As Programs Coordinator, Barbara is responsible for managing the agency's social services programs, including The Mountain Town Connector, and the School Partnership initiative.
Barbara lives in Jamaica in the house she built (and continues to build) with her husband, Tom. They recently relocated from their 1804 homestead on the RI/CT line. When not wielding a hammer, Barbara enjoys family, friends, music, and hiking in the mountains.
Founders
Meet Dolores and GloriaNeighborhood Connections is a community based social services organization located in Londonderry, Vermont. It was founded in 2009 by Dolores Barbeau (now deceased) and Gloria Dawson -accompanied by a nurse and a business woman who recognized a need for coordinated and connected assistance for low income and vulnerable individuals. Together they pooled resources with that of a few friends and neighbors and opened their office doors in The Mountain Marketplace Shopping Center in Londonderry.
It did not take long for word to travel and within a short time the staff were working endless hours helping people find resources for affordable housing, food, transportation, medical needs, and assistance with utility bills and economic benefits applications. |
Gloria Dawson (at left) and Delores Barbeau
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