Day: January 31, 2025

Manchester, NH – Manchester Proud is excited to announce that Aimee Kereage has been promoted to Executive Director. Aimee’s deep commitment to the well-being and success of Manchester’s youth, coupled with her extensive leadership experience, makes her uniquely qualified to guide the organization’s mission of strengthening the city’s educational and community impact.

Aimee’s professional journey began in the restaurant industry, where she spent nearly two decades honing her leadership and training skills. From 2000 to 2014, she served as a General Manager and Regional Training Manager for a national restaurant chain. However, her desire to make a broader impact led her to pursue a Master’s in Social Work in 2014. During her internship at Amoskeag Health’s pediatric division, Aimee developed a passion for working with the youth of Manchester, inspiring her to transition into community-focused roles.

Her commitment to youth development continued to flourish during her tenure as Director of Community Impact at Granite United Way from 2018 to 2021, where she oversaw youth-focused initiatives across Southern New Hampshire.

In 2021, Aimee was hired as Manchester Proud’s first employee, stepping into the role of Community Partnerships Coordinator. In this capacity, she was instrumental in fostering collaboration between schools, families, and the wider community to enhance educational outcomes. Her leadership and vision have been pivotal in shaping Manchester Proud’s initiatives.

About this promotion, Barry Brensinger, former Manchester Proud Coordinator and current Manchester Proud Champion’s Council member stated, “Since joining Manchester Proud, Aimee has not only taken our community partnerships to new heights, she has proven her commitment to the growth and success of our work overall.  I am looking forward to the good work ahead under Aimee’s leadership and wish her every success.”

The Champion’s Council Chair, Steve Thiel shared, “Aimee has the full support of the Manchester Proud Champion’s Council as she takes the next step in her leadership journey. Her dedication to fostering meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships with community organizations in support of public education has been both admirable and essential for our City. We look forward to continuing to support her and are deeply grateful for her contributions.”

As Executive Director, Aimee will continue to build on Manchester Proud’s commitment to supporting the city’s youth and schools. Her promotion reflects the organization’s recognition of her ability to inspire meaningful change through collaboration and innovation.

City Year New Hampshire is making a significant impact within the Manchester School District by working to address inequities in education. City Year New Hampshire has been active for 25 years now. Through its dedicated AmeriCorps members, City Year partners with teachers and schools to provide additional support, fostering learning environments where all students can thrive.

City Year’s efforts have been instrumental in helping students achieve academic success. The program’s tutoring initiatives have yielded impressive results, with 59% of students tutored by City Year meeting or exceeding one year of growth in English Language Arts and 67% meeting or exceeding one year of growth in mathematics. By working closely with students, AmeriCorps members help reinforce key concepts, build confidence, and encourage a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom.

One of City Year’s missions is to promote student attendance by ensuring a safe journey to school. At Bakersville Elementary School, a team of five AmeriCorps members leads a Walking Bus initiative, accompanying students on their walk to and from school each day. A City Year Corps member shared their perspective on the initiative: “Walking Bus is a unique opportunity to engage with students outside the classroom, fostering relationships that we might not otherwise develop in the short school day. Those 20-30 minutes allow for genuine conversation, building trust, and learning about their experiences. Ultimately, I hope the connection is just as enriching for them as it is for me!” This initiative not only helps ensure students arrive at school safely and on time but also strengthens the relationships between students and their mentors, reinforcing the supportive environment City Year strives to create.

City Year New Hampshire continues to be a vital resource in the Manchester School District, providing academic support, mentoring, and community engagement. By helping students grow academically, fostering meaningful relationships, and ensuring safe school commutes, City Year is making a lasting difference in the lives of Manchester’s students. As the program moves forward, its commitment to equitable education remains steadfast, ensuring that every student has the support they need to succeed.

Ke’Shawn Foster, a senior at West High School in Manchester, NH, has left his mark as an athlete, student, and aspiring entrepreneur. Named the 2024-2025 Football Captain, Ke’Shawn has also participated in basketball and track, keeping himself active year-round. “I’m big into sports, I like staying active all year,” he shared. His dedication to athletics and leadership on the field has set him apart as a role model among his peers.

Looking ahead, Ke’Shawn hopes to continue his football journey in college while studying business. His dream? To open a café. “I love breakfast food. Breakfast on Christmas morning, my grandma would make grits, bacon, all of it. I have great memories with my family surrounding breakfast,” he reflected. His passion for food and the nostalgia of family meals inspire his entrepreneurial aspirations.

Growing up in the Manchester School District, Ke’Shawn attended Hallsville, Webster, Weston, Parkside, and now West High School. When asked about his favorite classes, he highlighted Pottery with Mr. Cripps and English with Mrs. Balch. “With pottery, it was a space where I could make what came to mind, kinda like cooking. Mr. Cripps supported me in doing my own projects.” English, a subject he once disliked, became a favorite thanks to engaging discussions and literature. “I hated English, but now I love it. The way we go over literature is just fun. The Odyssey is my favorite.” During our conversation, KeShawn was in the middle of a creative project for English, building a kite based on a book he was reading in class.

Reflecting on West’s football season, Ke’Shawn expressed pride in how far the program has come. “The program has come a long way. This year, we turned it around as a team and as a community. We were able to lock in.” He credits much of the team’s success to their coaches. “They made us all believe we could do it,” he said, acknowledging the positive changes and new standards set by the coaching staff.

One of Ke’Shawn’s most memorable moments came during Senior Night. “I had two touchdowns in the game, and it was down to the wire. I knew in my head that Terrance [his co-captain and friend] was gonna get the ball. The game ended with Terrance catching the ball, moving us to the playoffs for the first time since 2007.” This moment encapsulated the hard work, trust, and camaraderie that defined their season. Ke’Shawn’s leadership and performance on the field did not go unnoticed, he was nominated for this Proud Moment by his coach, Andrew Provencher, who described him as “such a great kid.”

Beyond sports, Ke’Shawn values his relationships with his seven siblings and many friends. Balancing athletics, academics, and a part-time job, he remains committed to his goals. Although he plans to leave Manchester for college, he hopes to return to his hometown. He recognizes the misconceptions about Manchester and wants to change the narrative. “Manchester is a good spot. It has a very bad stereotype, but it’s not true. I think there is a lot of beauty and good here.”

Ke’Shawn leaves a powerful message for those striving for success: “For you to achieve something out of grasp, you have to work hard at it and put your eggs in that basket.” His determination, leadership, and passion ensure that wherever he goes, he will continue to make an impact.