Staff Highlight: Amanda Lampron

1) Tell us a little about yourself. 
I am the Supervisor of the Strength to Succeed program, and I’ve worked at the FRC for 6.5 years. I grew up in Pittsburg until my sophomore year and then moved to Colebrook. 

I love sports and spending quality time with my loved ones. I especially love summer, and camping has become a natural love of mine. I have a dog, Nova, who I consider one of my children — I love her dearly. 

My favorite thing to do in the North Country is to enjoy all four seasons to the fullest. Each season brings different activities, and I like to soak up as much sun and joy as possible. My favorite movies are anything true crime, mystery, or horror. 

I am also 9.5 years in recovery, and the work I do at the FRC really helped me when I realized I could give hope to people who were just like me at one point in time. I want to show that it’s possible to find happiness and fulfillment in life. 

2) What do you find most rewarding about working at the FRC? 
The most rewarding part is that there are constant rewards. Working here is difficult, but the rewards make it worth it. I get to work for an amazing agency alongside so many different, unique, and like-minded individuals. 

The most rewarding thing is not only seeing the families we serve thrive, but also supporting staff as they learn and grow throughout the years. Watching that process is like nothing else. 

3) What reinforces your commitment to your work? 
Honestly, it’s seeing the drive and dedication of our staff. Their commitment to improving services and helping families in the community inspires me every day. 

The support at the FRC is also tremendous. I’ve experienced major life events and even just the everyday ups and downs — things like a child being sick or needing to get to appointments. The flexibility and accommodation that have been made to support me mean so much and are deeply appreciated. We truly are family-centered at the FRC — not just for the families we serve but for the staff as well. 

4) What does your role look like day to day? 
My role is to support the staff I supervise, as well as other staff and providers I work with. I focus on encouraging, motivating, and educating so we can all contribute to the FRC’s goals of strengthening families and building communities. I want to help people be the best versions of themselves so they can provide the best care possible to families. 

I also share my own lived experience to normalize challenges that occur in families’ lives — such as mental health or substance use — in a non-judgmental way. 

I’m very proud of receiving and maintaining my CRSW license, as well as having the opportunity to be part of the leadership team and becoming a supervisor. At first it was super scary, but over time it’s become one of my proudest moments. Seeing my own growth and expansion has been amazing. 

A typical day for me can include supervisions, team meetings, CRSW meetings, phone calls from staff to discuss situations, documentation tasks like signing staff notes, and being on the road a lot. I also work closely with Service Array, CBVS, Comp, and Kinship. 

5) What is the most challenging aspect of your job? 
The biggest challenge is feeling like there is never enough time. There is always so much work to be done, and it never seems like there’s enough time in the day or week. That’s why prioritizing the most critical needs is so important. 

I also wish more people knew about the services the FRC provides. Not enough people realize the wide range of programs available and how they could benefit from them. 

6) What community needs do you see most often? 
Some of the biggest needs I see include challenges with systems, lack of stability, housing, transportation, and support with substance use disorder treatment and recovery. Families need someone to listen without judgment but also hold them accountable. 

I’m always working toward the goal of continuing to learn, grow, and thrive so we can best support families in these areas. 

7) What advice would you give families who are struggling? 
Don’t lose hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Life isn’t always easy, and I’ll never sugarcoat it. But with hard work, consistency, and determination, you will find your way. Believe in yourself, love yourself, and keep going. 

8) What simple things can families do to strengthen relationships and build resilience? 
Listen to one another. Validate each other’s experiences. Spend quality time with the people who matter most. Life is too short to waste on broken relationships. 

Everyone faces struggles, but it’s important to work together as a team instead of against one another. Even finding small things to bond over makes a big difference. 

9) What lessons have you learned through working with families in the North Country? 
That no two families are alike. Each family is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. We have to adapt — whether that means changing our wording, tone, or approach — to meet families where they are. 

10) What is your biggest hope for families in the North Country? 
My biggest hope is that families find peace, happiness, and acceptance. I hope they can be comfortable with who they are. I also hope that one day, we can return to being a society where all walks of life come together, working in partnership to build resilient communities. 

11) Are there resources you’d like families to know about? 
Yes — there are so many great resources out there, but families often don’t know about them. Some I recommend are: 

• The Family Resource Center 

• The North Country Health Consortium in Littleton 

• Serenity Center 

• Food pantries 

• Local churches  

• Charities in Berlin 

• NHS in Berlin 

• Weeks Medical Center 

And many more. These are just some of the amazing places families can connect with for support.