Our Vision
The vision of White Birch Center is to enrich life and strengthen community.
Our Mission
The mission of White Birch Center is to be a community leader in providing exceptional programs and services that support learning and active living for children, adults, and families.
What’s Important To Us Right Now
We're hiring
White Birch Center is hiring for multiple positions within the Early Learning Program. Email Allison Saltmarsh at allisons@whitebirchcc.org or call (603) 428-7860 for more info.
did you miss it?
In case you missed it- Check out the White Birch Center segment on The Balancing Act- Local Edition, on our YouTube Page.
News & Announcements
White Birch Center Receives New Quality Designation
February 2024
NH Best Places for Working Parents is designed to recognize and celebrate organizations that make a significant commitment to their employees’ well-being. It serves as a tool for future recruitment and retention, highlighting businesses that are committed to creating supportive and inclusive work environments. White Birch Center received their designation earlier this year, in recognition of the family-friendly policies and practices it offers to support employees, specifically working parents.
40 under Forty
March 2024
New Hampshire Union Leader has been recognizing NH’s most influential young professionals for 22 years. These individuals are the state’s future and will help shape the business, educational and financial environment for years to come. These are currently 880 alumni with many that continue to support and attend this event. 40 Under Forty recipients represent all industries in New Hampshire including legal, financial, tech, healthcare, public service, and more. While all of the recipients are successful in their commitment to the community that often is why they were chosen for this honor.
Leanna Lorden, White Birch Center Chief Operating Officer, received recognition along with other NH professionals at this year’s 40 Under Forty award celebration. Leanna’s advocacy, professionalism, and dedication to the field of Early Childhood Education is what put her on that list of recipients.
2024 New Hampshire Mother of the Year Announced
April 2024
American Mothers Inc. (AMI) announced Leanna Lorden as the 2024 New Hampshire Mother of the Year. Lorden was chosen after a national nomination and selection process led by the organization that recognizes mothers and their positive impact in their homes and communities. AMI has been honoring mothers through the annual Mother of the Year award since 1935.
Leanna Lorden has spent many years in the education and early childhood care scene. She worked as a long-term substitute teacher and then for a non-profit. She is a leader that builds connection and community, and she loves to support the next generation in her work. As the mother of one son who struggled post-partum, Lorden knows how important strong mental health is for new moms. She believes that every time a woman becomes a parent for the first time, two lives are born-the baby and the mother, and that both need to be cared for.
National AMI President, Joyce Stevens, says: “American Mothers continues to serve as a constant reminder of the importance of mothers and the influence they have at home and in the workplace. I love hearing the inspirational stories of moms from around the country that elevate the status of motherhood and more importantly, raise great kids!”
Lorden recently represented New Hampshire at the AMI National Mothers Convention in Omaha, Nebraska.
Allison Saltmarsh Continues to Make a Difference
April 2024
On Saturday, April 6th, the annual NH OST (Out of School Time) Celebration and Convention was held at Waterville Valley, where attendees learned, collaborated, and celebrated with one another.
Prior to the big day, applications for the “Making a Difference in OST” award were submitted and honorees would be celebrated at the conference, for the differences made in the lives of children and families.
White Birch Center is incredibly pleased to announce that Allison Saltmarsh, Child Care Programs Director, was honored as a 2024 OST Champion and received the “Making a Difference in OST” award at the convention!
Allison is a key leader for White Birch Center and its desire to extend quality out of school time programming into the lives of working families and their children. Her direction has taken our program from an existing Before and After School Program to what is now the White Birch Center for Extended Education. We are incredibly lucky to have such a great leader in our organization. As a nonprofit, it is critical that no matter what the client, partner, school, or any other organization we interact with, what is seen and experienced is excellence at all levels. Allison’s work, commitment, and vision are excellence in action.
CDFA Awards White Birch Community Center $250,000
June 2024
Henniker – The New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) has awarded White Birch Community Center $250,000 to support their expansion project at 116 Main St. in Henniker. The funds will utilize tax credits to purchase and renovate an additional building in Henniker to create space for expanded senior programming, add family resource center programming, permanently house the Henniker Food pantry and increase capacity for quality, affordable childcare with the addition of 13-15 infant spaces. The project will increase access to critical services for the surrounding communities.
“We are very excited about this opportunity because it will allow White Birch to expand its current operations and add new services. Our current location is completely at capacity,” said Marc McMurphy, Executive Director of White Birch Center.
“The organizations awarded Tax Credit resources have demonstrated a strong commitment to their communities,” commented Katy Easterly Martey, Executive Director, CDFA. “These organizations, coupled with the reliable resources through CDFA year-over-year, will continue to advance important community-based projects within New Hampshire communities that really make a difference to Granite Staters.”
Easterly Martey continued, “Overall, the 2024 Tax Credit Round signals that New Hampshire nonprofits and municipalities are continuing to leverage an influx of resources to advance community-based projects, as well as recognize a critical need to access resources that will help grow their capacity.”
CDFA Tax Credit awards are made to organizations in the form of tax equity. New Hampshire businesses support the selected projects by purchasing the tax credits, resulting in the nonprofit
receiving a donation and the company receiving a 75 percent New Hampshire state tax credit against that contribution. The credit can be applied against the Business Profits Tax, Business Enterprise Tax, or Insurance Premium. To learn more about CDFA’s Tax Credit Program, visit:
https://nhcdfa.org/investing-in-nh-communities/tax-credit-program/.
About White Birch Community Center, Inc.
White Birch Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the well-being of individuals and families and to having a positive effect on the fabric of our community. With an emphasis on Early Learning, Extended Education, and Active Living, White Birch Center is a cornerstone of our community
and a hub for surrounding towns.
The mission of White Birch Center is to be a community leader in providing exceptional programs and services that support learning and active living for children, adults, and families.
About the Community Development Finance Authority
The Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) is a statewide nonprofit public authority focused on maximizing the value and impact of community development, economic development, and clean energy initiatives throughout New Hampshire. The organization leverages a variety of financial and technical resources, including the competitive deployment of grant, loan, and equity programs.
Those resources include New Hampshire state tax credits, federal Community Development Block Grant resources and the CDFA Clean Energy Fund. For more information about CDFA and its programs visit www.nhcdfa.org or call 603-226-2170.
The Merrimack Donates $10,000 to Summer Programs at White Birch Center
June 2024
Merrimack County Savings Bank (The Merrimack) is helping fund summer programs at White Birch Center in Henniker as the bank prepares to officially join the community this fall. The Merrimack’s $10,000 donation will go toward covering field trip transportation costs for nearly 50 children enrolled in their summer camp program.
“The White Birch Center provides invaluable services to the community, especially as families struggle to find childcare,” said Linda Lorden, President of The Merrimack. “We look forward to joining the community and are proud to support local nonprofits that enrich the lives of our neighbors.”
The Merrimack is anticipated to open its 9th branch in Henniker this fall. The new full-service branch will be conveniently located on 262 Maple Street, right off Route 114 from 202 West.
“We’re so grateful for The Merrimack’s generous donation and are excited to have a community bank come to town,” Leanna Lorden, White Birch Center Chief Operating Officer. “Without support from the community we wouldn’t be able to offer vital programs for children, adults, and families.”
Established in 1981, White Birch Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the well-being of individuals and families and to having a positive effect on the fabric of our community. With an emphasis on Early Learning, Extended Education, and Active Living, White Birch Center is a cornerstone of our community and a hub for surrounding towns. To learn more visit whitebirchcc.org.
Merrimack Style is treating everyone – customers, employees and community members – with dignity, care, respect and compassion. Founded in 1867, The Merrimack has served the people, businesses, non-profits and municipalities in Central and Southern New Hampshire for 157 years. In 2023, The Merrimack was recognized as “Best Bank” by the Capital Area People’s Preferences or CAPPIE Awards for the 14th year in a row. Merrimack County Savings Bank is a mutual savings bank that benefits local depositors, borrowers, and surrounding communities instead of stockholders on Wall Street. To learn more, visit any of their local offices in Bow, Concord, Contoocook, Hooksett, Nashua, Windham and coming soon to Henniker; call 603.225.2793 or visit themerrimack.com
People Are Talking About White Birch Center
Our Vision
The vision of White Birch Center is to enrich life and strengthen community.
Our Mission
The mission of White Birch Center is to be a community leader in providing exceptional programs and services that support learning and active living for children, adults, and families.
What's Important to Us Right Now
Planned Giving
Explore the different ways you can support White Birch Center through our planned giving program.