... supportive housing for adults with developmental disabilities ...
Meet The Board
Jennifer Bernet is a licensed clinical social worker who graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a bachelor's degree in anthropology, Antioch University with a master's in education, and UNH with a master's in social work. She has served three terms in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, where she passed a bill leading to the development of the Medicaid dental benefit. Jennifer, who lives in Wilton, has three adult children and enjoys the arts and spending time outdoors hiking and birdwatching.
Andrew Brescia, co-chair of Our Own House, taught English at independent day and boarding schools until retiring in 2022. In 2000, after a year in direct sales followed by one year teaching at South Meadow School, the 1981 Johns Hopkins graduate served 10 years as Lawrence Academy's director of communications. He returned to the classroom to teach ESL at Lawrence for his final 12 years. He sat briefly on the board of Dollars for Scholars and completed one three-year term on the Peterborough Recreation Committee. Andrew's favorite pastimes are reading, writing creative nonfiction, swimming, biking, as well as playing and teaching pickleball. He is the father of three sons, Nathan, Thomas, and Joshua.
Dawn Brescia, co-chair of the board, has lived in the Monadnock Region for a total of 34 years. Born and raised in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, she earned her bachelor’s degree in art therapy at Capital University while in Columbus, Ohio. Dawn worked in early education as a Montessori school teacher and then worked as an ophthalmic technician. More recently, she has been active for four years as a volunteer for End 68 Hours of Hunger and also heads the leadership team of the Monadnock Valley Patriots, the local adult Special Olympics team. She and Andrew have raised three sons, one of whom is on the spectrum.
Rosemary Duggan has lived in New Hampshire for 46 years. In addition to the enthusiasm and persistence she has already brought to her work helping establish Our Own House, Rosemary has served on the boards of the Pine Hill Waldorf School, the American Stage Festival, and the Business Development Committee of Milford. She was introduced to young adults with developmental disabilities through providing them swimming lessons at her Wilton home: "There I encountered first hand the fun and joy of teaching them water safety and swimming." Rosemary, who has three adult children in Andrew, Fletcher, and Aimee Ladd, is excited to be back at work on behalf of those she sees as "wonderfully gifted young adults [by] helping to provide a safe and sustainable home for their continued growth and development."
Elizabeth Goodhue, a graduate of Boston University, is the author of The Truth about Down Syndrome, a collection of vignettes based on her experiences raising a son with Down Syndrome. A three-time national collegiate rowing champion, Elizabeth has enjoyed coaching crew at Dublin School since 2019. She is also active in the local community of writers and has written about traveling through several countries in Southeast Asia, as well as in Mexico. In 2013, she earned her TESOL certificate, which has allowed her to teach English as a Second Language. Before serving as the secretary on the board of Our Own House, Elizabeth has been on the board of Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter (MATS). During the 2022 midterms, Elizabeth was a full-time political organizer.
Kristine Hamilton is a dedicated advocate committed to ensuring that adults with developmental disabilities have access to safe, permanent housing, and the essential services they need to thrive. As the mother of a son with developmental disabilities, Kristine has firsthand experience of the challenges families face when it comes to securing stable, supportive housing, and resources for loved ones with special needs. Her personal journey has fueled her passion for creating lasting change and ensuring that others in similar situations do not have to navigate these obstacles alone. She brings over 15 years of non-profit administrative and executive experience to the board of Our Own House.
Jane Gallagher Hooper received her bachelor’s degree from UNH and her master’s degree in education from Antioch University. Long a supporter of individuals with developmental disabilities, she chose American Sign Language for a second language at UNH. In 2001, Jane started a multi-age, small private school to meet the needs of under-served students. She sits on the board of Our Own House and is a member of its fundraising committee. Jane has lived in Francestown for 40 years with her husband Patrick, and they have raised two sons on the spectrum.
As a parent of two sons with developmental disabilities, Patrick Hooper understands the challenges this community experiences with finding housing that provides a permanent and safe environment. Patrick spent the last 35 years working for various international corporations primarily building and maintaining Internet and Cloud technologies. Patrick joined the board with his wife Jane to provide guidance to technological questions and assist with various projects of the organization. Patrick is a New Hampshire native and lives in the Monadnock region.