Individuals from Great Bay Services recently joined Monarch School of New England students for a hands-on garden project, exploring Monarch’s fully accessible therapeutic garden. Together, they created small container gardens planted with tomatoes, basil, and chives — all the key ingredients for pizza sauce — while blending sensory exploration, creativity, and fun.
The visit reflected something deeper than a day outdoors: it was a chance to build connections, nurture belonging, and experience the simple joy of being part of a community. It also marked another milestone in the evolving collaboration between the two organizations. Last spring, Monarch students attended an art show hosted by Great Bay that highlighted the talents and perspectives of their adult partners.
These experiences are now part of a new formal partnership between the Monarch School of New England and Great Bay Services: Connections that Count — a collaborative initiative designed to create inclusive, accessible opportunities for the individuals they serve to engage, connect, and thrive together.
Born from a shared mission of fostering community and lifelong learning, Connections that Count will bring together Monarch students and Great Bay’s adult partners for volunteer efforts, creative projects, and quarterly events that celebrate and appreciate all abilities. Activities will include guest reading in classrooms, collaborative arts, and more.
“Our organizations naturally align,” said Jeanette Souther, Executive Director at Monarch School of New England. “As Monarch students graduate and transition into adulthood, many continue their journey with the support of organizations like Great Bay Services. In fact, one of our recent graduates has already returned to campus as part of Great Bay’s programming. This collaboration is not only meaningful; it’s a natural progression for many of the individuals we serve.”
Jon Stimmell, Executive Director of Great Bay Services, further stressed the importance of the partnership: “We are really excited to be collaborating with the Monarch School. They have set a standard for innovation in the classroom for decades. We are fortunate to be working and learning from all of the fine folks who teach and attend the school.”
Connections that Count will kick off its quarterly event series this October with Trucks & Tastes, hosted at the Monarch School of New England High School and Vocational Center. The morning will give invited guests from both organizations the chance to get up close with a variety of commercial vehicles for the traditional touch-a-truck experience, paired with food and fun to encourage interaction and connection. Plans are already underway for the next event — a winter dance and karaoke night scheduled for January.
Support for Connections that Count helps ensure individuals of all abilities have the opportunity to build community in a safe, welcoming environment. Those interested in learning more about the initiative or supporting the event series can visit www.monarchschoolne.org or www.greatbayservices.org.
About the Organizations
Monarch School of New England is a nonprofit, specialized day school located in Rochester, NH, serving students across New Hampshire and Southern Maine, ages 5–22, who experience significant physical, medical, and developmental disabilities. Rooted in the belief that each child deserves an environment in which they can flourish, Monarch creates educational plans based on the individual needs and capabilities of each student — their abilities, not their disabilities — helping each student learn and reach their greatest potential.
Great Bay Services, with offices in Dover, NH, and Sanford, ME, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Great Bay offers programs that promote independence, inclusion, and community engagement. Through personalized case management, employment support, independent living assistance, and innovative program enrichment, individuals are empowered to lead fulfilling lives on their own terms. Great Bay Services continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people and families they serve throughout the region.