At LRMHC’s Annual Meeting held on October 23, 2018, Jim Holmes, Branch Director of the Boys & Girls Club was awarded the Helen Holbrook Leadership & Service Award. This award is given to an individual who leads by example and gives of themselves to strengthen the cause of mental health in the Lakes Region.
Jim has more than 7 years of experience in nonprofit management and program development. He is a collaborative leader and community supporter, confident in building and supporting relationships with youth, upper level leadership, outside agencies and board of directors. As Branch Director of the B&G Club of the Lakes Region since April 2016, he manages 6 programs and a team of more than 10 employees and community volunteers. His specialties include urban and at-risk youth, leadership and program development, evaluation and assessment of programs and developing and establishing community partnerships.
Prior to that, he served as the School Enrichment Director and Youth & Teen Director and Camp Director at the Merrimack Valley YMCA from 3/09 – 4/16 where he coordinated school enrichment opportunities at the YMCA for approximately 2000 Lawrence MA public school students. The Teen program involved more than 100 youth and helped enhance their personal development and community engagement through community services, educational presentations and college tours. As Camp Director, Jim supervised a professional and college aged team of 70+ leadership staff, nurses and counselors-in-training for 9 weeks at a boy’s summer camp on Bear Island on Lake Winnipesaukee.
“Jim has dedicated much of his professional life working to enhance the lives of so many young people. The Boys & Girls Club has been an important community partner, offering free summer day camp and after school programs for all children that receive functional support services from LRMHC. We are very proud to present him with this award” said Maggie Pritchard, Executive Director at LRMHC.
