Leadership Lakes Region class learns about local social issues

LACONIA — The Leadership Lakes Region class met in early December to spend a day studying social issues at work in the region and hear from local social agencies to hear from practitioners in the field.

Meeting first at Lakes Region Community Services, the group was briefed by CEO Becky Bryant who gave an overview of her agency and its mission to promote independence, dignity and opportunities for its clients. Bryant introduced key members of her staff including Director of the Family Resource Center Allyssa Tandy and Vice President of Community Services Erin Pettengill. All three are leadership graduates and Bryant is currently on the Leadership Board of Directors. Their presentations were coordinated by Class of 2023 alumna, Cierra Pinkney.

The class met with Executive Director of New Beginnings Shauna Foster who explained the mission to protect individuals and families from violence and abuse. Following Foster was Susan Young who spoke on medicare fraud. Young works out of her local office at the Partnership for Public Health in Laconia but covers the northern half of the state. She was introduced by her PPH colleague, Courtney DeVost.

The class was joined by Nick Trudel, a graduate of the program, board member and financial advisor with Edward Jones Financial, the corporate sponsor for Social Issues Day.

The next stop was the Child Advocacy Center in Laconia. Class member Julia Sullivan, joined by co-workers Taylor McNeil and Andrew Wolf, presented their agency’s work helping to heal the victims of child abuse in Belknap County.

The group then departed for the Belknap County Complex for a tour and three presentations. Superintendent of the County Jail Michelle Wetherbee spoke about the role of the jail in society with an emphasis on rehabilitation.

Leadership graduate and co-planner for the Social Issues Day Christy Painchaud then spoke about her experience as a teenage sexual assault victim by a stranger. Painchaud spoke about her professional and personal experiences as a survivor and her healing journey over the past 30 years. She served over 20 years in the military as a federal agent/criminal investigator. Since she retired in 2017, she has spoken publicly about her story as a consultant/motivational speaker in effort to empower and inspire others and raise awareness, education, and prevention on sexual assault.

Painchaud then introduced her husband as the next speaker. Detective Sergeant Adam Painchaud of the Alton Police Department also serves as commander of the Belknap Regional Special Operations Group (aka SWAT Team). He was joined by Master Patrolman/K-9 Officer Kyle Jepsen of the Laconia Police Department and his K-9/SWAT dog Abby.

Sgt. Painchaud explained the role of the County SWAT Team and how they are the responders when any community law enforcement personnel are in danger or in need of specialized weapons to defuse a situation such as a hostage crisis. The class got to tour the SWAT vehicle with the officers.

Sergeant Eric Bredbury, the prosecutor of the Gilford Police Department concluded Social Issues Day with a presentation on the role of the prosecutor in the justice system bridging law enforcement with court requirements.

For more information, visit leadershiplakesregion.org.