Marie and her family lived across the street from the church that hosted AA meetings. People would often stop by if someone was having a hard time. “That was just our normal,” she recalls. “I think that’s where the wanting to help people came from—seeing the positive impact my dad and others in the community had on people.”
Those early memories shaped how she sees the world—and how she supports clients and staff at White Horse Recovery. “A person isn’t their worst day,” she says. “People act the way they act because of what they’ve experienced. We should never be judged for our worst day—there’s more to you.”
Marie also carries a message for parents who worry what their children will remember.
“Kids are resilient,” she says. “I always try to share that with clients who have young kids. I remember the recovery, not the drinking.”
“I didn’t want to take a job just to take a job,” she says. “I wanted something impactful.” She applied to both Cornerstone Christian Academy and White Horse, drawn to missions that served people. At White Horse, she found a team with varied perspectives—those in recovery, those with family experience, and those without lived experience—united by a common purpose.
What began as a role with modest responsibility evolved into leadership as Operations & Finance Director. “Fortunately or unfortunately,” she says with a smile, “I ended up with a lot of responsibility.” The responsibilities suit her, though, because they let her protect what matters most: a welcoming, judgment-free experience for anyone who walks through the door.
Marie has witnessed countless transformations.
“You see people come in feeling broken,” she says. “Then they start our program, make connections—with other clients and with staff—and their lives completely change.”
Not every story ends the way anyone hopes, she acknowledges, but many do. Some graduates even become employees, paying forward what they received.
Small moments matter, too. When Marie conducted phone screenings, she made sure people felt seen from the start. “I always said, ‘I’m so glad you called. You called the right place,’” she says. “That phone call is hard to make. Reinforcing that decision is important. We need to do what we can to eliminate the stigma surrounding addiction and reassure the client or potential client that they’re coming to a safe space without judgment.”
Creating a space that feels like home—especially at the Ossipee location—has been intentional. “People tell us it’s welcoming and not sterile,” she says. “You feel comfortable.”
That warmth shows up in the community response, too. Clients refer friends. Alumni stop by to say hello and share updates. “One of our clinicians just had someone pop in to let us know he’s doing well,” she says. “We see that a lot.”
Eight years after joining White Horse, Marie’s perspective remains steady and compassionate—grounded in what she learned as a child and confirmed through years of service.
“You see people come in feeling broken,” she says. “Someone isn’t their addiction or their anger,” she says. “There’s always more to the story.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. White Horse Recovery offers services for those ready to start their journey to recovery. For more information, call 603-651-1441, Ext. 1.