Second Growth is a small nonprofit organization with a large mission, providing a unique blend of education, training, consultation, and direct client services. Our professional staff members bring an engaging and inspiring style to the task of promoting the renewal of hope in the toughest of circumstances. In a manner uncommon in our field, we have built our success on simply "being there" in ways that count, while developing prevention, early intervention, and crisis response resources for the communities where we have served. We have kept our promises.

Robert Bryant, Program Director, has provided violence prevention, intervention, and crisis response services for schools, hospitals, and youth service organizations during nearly two decades. An "easy does it" blend of storytelling and straightforward talk, his popular programs have instructed and inspired thousands of people in diverse audiences in over two hundred sites ranging from a one room schoolhouse to Dartmouth Medical School. His written works include risk behavior prevention curricula for use in middle and high school classrooms and several training manual for youth service providers including, "IT'S MY LIFE! Exercises in Support of a Safe and Successful Future," and a manual for interviewing adolescent clients, "From Risk to Resource."

Dr. Thomas Gamble, Ph.D., Clinical Director, is a licensed clinical psychologist who has provided treatment services for children and adolescents during the past sixteen years. Dr. Gamble brings a clear thinking and compassionate approach to assisting young clients to address a range of issues particularly trauma, loss, and school performance challenges. Working closely with the partnerships of student support teams and families, he has helped to solve problems in schools and community based settings across Vermont and New Hampshire. He has delivered highly respected consultation and clinical supervision to school and community based clinicians in the Upper Valley region.

Denise Dupuis, Administrative Coordinator, has provided direct case management as well as supervision for case managers working with adults with developmental disabilities. In that capacity, she brings over 20 years experience as a persistent advocate for those unable to advocate for themselves. She has developed strong relationships within the Vermont developmental services system and is highly regarded by her peers. She is also employed as part-time team leader at Health Care and Rehabilitation Services in Springfield, Vermont. In conjunction with the state of Vermont Developmental Services Division, she has coordinated a training curriculum for case management staff. A former board member of Second Growth, she brings an understanding of the scope of the work that Second Growth provides from a professional and personal perspective.

Elena VanZandt, M. Ed., Youth and Family Advocate, has been active in the helping profession for over twelve years. Having earned degrees in both school counseling and health education, she blends her academic training with the practical experience of assisting clients in schools, residential programs, and community settings. Working to reduce substance abuse, violence and other self-destructive behaviors, she balances her time between serving children and families in public schools and public housing. She delivers individual and group support for middle and high school students in the Lebanon School District as part of the Student Assistance Program. Her dynamic, positive style has helped to give a voice to adolescents as they begin to build the confidence to safely carry them into adulthood.