NECASA recently announced the 24th annual Volunteer with Youth Award and the 11th annual Nilan Award winner.
The winners of the 2017 Volunteer with Youth Award are Mary and Todd Poulin. The Poulins are involved in community, school and recreational activities in Thompson. Their activities include safe trick or treating events, soccer and football. They also run the fund-raising food booth for the football program. They serve as role models in the church and community and for their two children.
The Volunteer with Youth Awards were started by NECASA as a way to promote adults being healthy role models for youth in their communities. Over the past 24 years, NECASA has honored many deserving individuals and couples for their commitment to young people. Positive adult role models for youth is considered to be one of the most effective methods of prevention of social problems.
The 2017 Judith Nilan Awards winners are Bill Stover and David Partyka.
Bill Stover is director of Family and Community Partnerships for the Windham School System. He is a strong positive figure in the community. He inspires a sense of teamwork, mutual respect and love of education in Windham. Bill is a great listener and was a key figure in the development of the Parent and Community University for the school system.
David Partyka has been a school social worker in in Brooklyn Schools since 2004. He is also the school’s cross country and track coach. He creates an atmosphere where students build their self-esteem and support one another. It is the leadership and guidance of Dave Partyka that provides and fosters these qualities in students. He encourages students of all abilities to participate so that they become part of the fellowship of the team.
The Nilan Award is named after Judith Nilan, the social worker at Woodstock Middle School who was murdered in 2005.

Judy Nilan was an outstanding individual and NECASA worked with her to help bring programming and speakers to the Woodstock Middle School to benefit the students. After her death, NECASA dedicated the award to her and the first award was given in 2006 to her husband Jon Baker and her children. The Nilan Award recognizes outstanding school social workers, psychologists, principals, teachers or other school personnel in the region for their dedication and commitment to their student’s wellbeing.