09/12/2012
Citizens Bank and WMUR-TV recognize Maureen Jackman as the “heart” of Somersworth
“Heart of Your City” program on NH Chronicle highlights people making a difference in their communities
Manchester, N.H. – Citizens Bank and WMUR-TV have named Maureen Jackman the “Heart of Your City” for her outstanding commitment to the city of Somersworth. Jackman’s story, which highlights the positive impact she has made in the community, will be featured on the program NH Chronicle on September 14.
Heart of Your City is a year-long partnership between Citizens Bank and WMUR-TV that recognizes people who are making good things happen in New Hampshire’s 13 cities. Each honoree is featured on NH Chronicle and on the Destination Downtown section of WMUR-TV’s website.
Jackman is the director of Somersworth Youth Connection, an afterschool program at Somersworth Middle School. The program provides a safe, supportive environment for children in grades 6-8 to learn and grow. Individualized learning plans are developed to meet the academic, emotional and social needs of each child. Students also coordinate and participate in more than 50 enrichment opportunities throughout the year, including jewelry design, bowling, photography, scrapbooking and volunteer projects in the community.
“I always tell the kids that I work with, ‘You do have a voice and you can use it to make a difference,’” said Jackman. “I love being able to guide them to the resources they need to pursue their passions and become active citizens that have a positive influence on the community.”
Jackman is involved with many local initiatives. She helps organize Spirit Up Somersworth, an annual event that brings together more than 300 people to clean up and beautify the city. Jackman and her students also organize Thanksgiving baskets for families in need and Christmas stockings for the Toys for Tots program each year. She is the recipient of the 2011 Somersworth Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award.
“Maureen has always been the biggest advocate of the youth here in Somersworth,” said Wendy O’Malley, Citizens Bank branch manager. “It is her relentless hard work and contagious enthusiasm that has made Youth Connection such a success. Her heart and soul truly belong to this program, which is why the award is so fitting.”
“Maureen is more than just an active citizen, she is a model citizen,” said Dana Hilliard, principal of Somersworth Middle School and a longtime colleague and friend of Jackman. ”She selflessly serves our community 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are very grateful for all she has been able to accomplish for our youth and for the entire city.”
Other New Hampshire towns to be featured in the Heart of Your City program this year are Claremont, Lebanon, Manchester and Nashua. Cities that have already been highlighted are Berlin, Concord, Dover, Franklin, Keene, Laconia, Portsmouth and Rochester.
Nominations for Heart of Your City will be accepted throughout the year. If you would like to nominate an individual or group for this honor, please visit the WMUR website: www.wmur.com/destination-downtown.
Citizens Bank Seacoast Regional Manager Kate Burns and Somersworth Branch Manager Wendy O’Malley present Maureen Jackman with the Heart of Your City award for her contributions to the city of Somersworth.
About Citizens Bank
Citizens Bank is a division of RBS Citizens, N.A., operating its seven-state branch network in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. It has 83 branches and 191 ATMs in Rhode Island.
RBS Citizens, N.A., is a subsidiary of RBS Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $130 billion commercial bank holding company. It is headquartered in Providence, R.I., and through its subsidiaries has more than 1,460 branches, approximately 3,800 ATMs and approximately 19,200 colleagues. Its two bank subsidiaries are RBS Citizens, N.A., and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. They operate a 12-state branch network under the Citizens Bank brand in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Charter One brand in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. RBSCFG has non-branch retail and commercial offices in more than 30 states. RBSCFG is owned by RBS (the Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc). RBSCFG’s website is citizensbank.com.
About WMUR-TV WMUR-TV (Ch. 9) is an ABC-TV affiliate headquartered in Manchester, N.H., and is owned and managed by Hearst Television, Inc., one of the nation's largest television station groups. Founded in 1954, WMUR-TV is New Hampshire's largest commercial TV station, reaching more than 1 million people. The station's news, feature and sports coverage have won numerous awards for professional and journalistic excellence. WMUR-TV is considered the broadcast news source of record for New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation presidential primary election. WMUR-TV provides online news and information at www.WMUR.com
