At the N.H. Bishop's Charitable Foundation's summer reception, the annual Vita et Caritas Award was presented to Linda Shemanske, of West Lebanon, N.H., a volunteer with Good Beginnings of the Upper Valley. The award, given in memory of the late Ruthie Ford, recognizes a volunteer who demonstrates exceptional service to a non-profit organization assisting women, children and families. Shemanske is a 31-year volunteer with Good Beginnings of the Upper Valley, having been among the founders of the organization along with other women of St. Denis Parish in Hanover. She serves as an in-home volunteer, spending 2-3 hours a week visiting a family with a new baby, providing respite, friendship, and education for new parents. She also serves as Board Vice President, helping to oversee the finances of the organization. From left to right: Dan Will, Bishop Libasci, Laurel Will and Linda Shemanske at the BCAF Summer Reception. (Jeff Dachowski photograph)
At the N.H. Bishop's Charitable Foundation's summer reception, the annual Vita et Caritas Award was presented to Linda Shemanske, of West Lebanon, N.H., a volunteer with Good Beginnings of the Upper Valley. The award, given in memory of the late Ruthie Ford, recognizes a volunteer who demonstrates exceptional service to a non-profit organization assisting women, children and families. Shemanske is a 31-year volunteer with Good Beginnings of the Upper Valley, having been among the founders of the organization along with other women of St. Denis Parish in Hanover. She serves as an in-home volunteer, spending 2-3 hours a week visiting a family with a new baby, providing respite, friendship, and education for new parents. She also serves as Board Vice President, helping to oversee the finances of the organization. From left to right: Dan Will, Bishop Libasci, Laurel Will and Linda Shemanske at the BCAF Summer Reception. (Jeff Dachowski photograph) Credit: Jeff Dachowski photograph

West Lebanon — When Linda Shemanske gave birth to her daughter nearly 40 years ago she was living far away from friends and family. The baby was colicky and didn’t sleep, and the new mom was desperate for support.

“I found myself wishing someone would come for an hour so I could nap or sit and chat for a few minutes,” Shemanske said.

As her daughter grew, Shemanske, who now lives in West Lebanon, never forgot that feeling of isolation. When she encountered new parents, she said, she always tried to give them a bit of a break. Thirty-one years ago she formalized that mission by helping, along with other members of St. Denis Parish in Hanover, to found Good Beginnings of the Upper Valley, a free home visitor program that provides support to families with new babies.

Shemanske, 65, was recently honored at the New Hampshire Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund’s summer reception in Manchester with the Vita et Caritas Award, given to a volunteer who demonstrates “exceptional service to a nonprofit organization assisting women, children and families,” the Diocese of Manchester said in a news release.

Good Beginnings’ home visitors spend two or three hours with a family once a week for 12 weeks, giving new parents a much-needed reprieve from the needs of their newborn.

Shemanske said volunteers are entirely nonjudgmental about how parents use that time. She once worked with a family where the mom and dad went out to lunch each week. She wasn’t convinced that she was helping, but on the last day the mother took Shemanske aside and said that she had saved their marriage.

“I thought, ‘OK, we can never ever judge what we’re doing with a family,’ ” Shemanske said.

Another time, Shemanske said, she was asked to fill in on her day off for another volunteer. The call wasn’t particularly convenient, since she already had other plans. However, when Shemanske met the mother with both an 18-month-old and newborn twins, she was glad she had rearranged her schedule.

“As soon as I walked in and saw how exhausted she was I was ready to get my suitcase and move in with her,” she said.

As a volunteer, Shemanske said, she is careful not to overstep bounds or to give too much advice. She said she aims to help parents build their confidence and keep themselves healthy during the tumultuous first few months of a child’s life.

“We try to empower (parents) and let them know they’re doing a good job by being a nonjudgmental listening ear,” she said. She hopes that having extra support can help mother avoid feelings of isolation that can lead to postpartum depression for many women.

In addition to her work directly with families, Shemanske serves on the Good Beginnings board of directors and overseeing finances for the organization.

Karen Morton, executive director of Good Beginnings, said Shemanske’s contributions to the organization are invaluable.

“She contributes greatly to our overall board and mission,” Morton said by email.

Good Beginnings is currently looking for more volunteers to provide home visits, particularly in Claremont, Windsor and Canaan. Volunteers must undergo a background check and two training sessions. They then visit a family weekly for 12 consecutive weeks, providing respite, friendship and support. For more information, call 603-298-9524 or email info@gbuv.org.