White Horse Clinical Administrator Mara Michno with her children

Mara brings over a decade of nonprofit experience to her role as Clinical Administrator at White Horse. Her background includes teaching at an alternative high school in Alaska focused on credit recovery and working at Kingswood Youth Center in Wolfeboro for over ten years, the last five as Associate Director. There, she dedicated herself to youth mental health through outdoor activities, experiential learning, and mentoring programs.

“I’ve always worked kind of outside the box,” she reflects. “Everything we did at Kingswood was prevention—providing alternatives to isolation and substance use. It was all about giving young people different paths forward.”

When Mara learned about an opening at White Horse, the decision felt natural. “I had been collaborating with White Horse for 10 years through my other nonprofit work,” she says. I really liked their mission and what they’re all about. In my world, White Horse has a really good reputation, so I was excited to see an opening.”

The transition from Alaska to the East Coast twelve years ago brought her closer to her husband’s family, but it was her personal journey that ultimately led her to White Horse. As someone in recovery herself—recently celebrating five years of sobriety from alcohol—Mara brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her role.

“This is the least direct service I’ve done in a really long time, but it still feels like it’s fulfilling that within me,” she explains. “I interact with clients, see what’s going on in the peer support world, and learn about substance use disorders. I’ve always been really interested in mental health care.”

What makes her story particularly compelling is how White Horse has opened new possibilities for her career growth. “When I interviewed with Matthew [executive director], he said the possibilities are endless—you can do anything you want,” she recalls. “I’m seeing White Horse Recovery colleagues like Kelsey [Wentworth] getting her LDAC certification, and it’s really cool. Pieces are falling together in my mind about what’s possible.”

Her goal is to become a Certified Recovery Support Worker (CRSW), building on her master’s degree in teaching and extensive experience working with teens. “I’ve had a very strong interest in the mental health world, but the idea of completely starting over seemed impossible,” she says. “Now, I’m seeing there are different paths I could take.”

Beyond the professional growth, she finds deep meaning in working alongside others in recovery. “It’s inspiring and encouraging,” she says. “Seeing other people making strides and being successful brings to light that addiction can affect everybody, anybody, from any walk of life. It’s not being hidden or shameful. We’re humans who struggle and can help each other.”

Founded in Center Ossipee, New Hampshire, White Horse Recovery has grown from a small organization into a leading nonprofit with 28 employees across four locations, providing both mental health and substance use disorder services.

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.

White Horse Executive Director Matthew Plache

White Horse Recovery representatives will meet with the Carroll County Delegation’s Regional Appropriations Subcommittee this month to discuss the importance of continued support for White Horse’s substance use disorder clinical treatment program. The subcommittee, composed of Representatives MacDonald, Brown, and Woodcock, has been tasked with reviewing proposals concerning nonprofit funding in the County’s budget.

White Horse Recovery, a leader in Carroll County’s response to the opioid crisis, has been supported by the County in recent years—not through taxpayer dollars—but through funds allocated from the opioid abatement settlements. Beginning in 2021 through October 2025, Carroll County received $606,914 in opioid settlement money, paid by companies responsible for creating the opioid crisis. This money is specifically designated by law for opioid-related treatment and prevention efforts. Under the settlements, funds from the defendants will continue to be paid to Carroll County for another decade and a half.

“White Horse Recovery stands out because the support we’ve received from the County directly aligns with the purpose of these settlement funds—to address the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic,” said Matt Plache, White Horse Recovery’s Executive Director. “We use the funds we receive from the County to support our clinical program, treating people from every town in Carroll County regardless of their ability to pay, providing services that restore lives and families. Every dollar invested in this effort helps us continue this critical work.”

During 2024 and 2025, White Horse received $125,000 and $100,000, respectively, from the county’s opioid settlement fund to support outpatient treatment programs in their Ossipee and North Conway offices, as well as two weekly SMART Recovery sessions for inmates at the Carroll County House of Corrections. These services are part of a broader strategy to address opioid misuse and its many ripple effects in the community.

The opioid settlement funds, by law, must be used for prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts related to opioid misuse. Carroll County’s decision to participate in the national opioid litigation reflects its commitment to securing resources to combat the crisis and support its impacted residents.

“The County has done an excellent job advocating for these funds on behalf of its residents,” Plache continued. “Our mission is to ensure these dollars are translated into evidence-based treatment that makes a tangible difference here in Carroll County.”

The subcommittee’s recommendations are expected to shape the final budget decisions by the full Delegation in March. Interested residents can participate in the process by attending public meetings, asking questions, and advocating for sustained funding for opioid treatment services.

Founded in Center Ossipee, New Hampshire, White Horse Recovery has grown from a small organization into a leading nonprofit with 28 employees across four locations, providing both mental health and substance use disorder services.

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.

George Barber

White Horse Recovery, a leading provider of mental health and substance use support services in northern New Hampshire, continues to strengthen its connection to local communities with the addition of Recovery Coach George Barber.

“We are thrilled to welcome George to the team,” said White Horse Executive Director, Matthew Plache. “He brings professional expertise, lived experience, and a passion for helping others – he exemplifies the organization’s mission to foster hope and healing through compassionate care.”

Featuring a professional background that includes work as a chef, touring musician, record label owner, and mentor at a therapeutic boarding school, Barber is a native of Cape Cod and a Keene State College graduate. He has also navigated his own journey of recovery over the past six years.

“Shared experience is a powerful tool in recovery,” said Barber. “When people know you’ve walked a similar path, it builds trust and understanding. That connection can make all the difference when guiding someone toward a better future.”

At White Horse, Barber will work with vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness and youth facing barriers to recovery. He is also currently pursuing certification as a Certified Recovery Support Worker (CRSW).

According to Barber, he was drawn to White Horse in part because of its deep ties to the local community. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve this community,” he explained. “My own experiences will hopefully help others change their lives.”

Looking ahead, Barber said he plans to continue to grow in his role. “My goal is to stay useful and keep learning,” he said. “I’m really excited by various opportunities presented here, especially for programming, especially for youth and vets along with various other forms of outreach – it really gets me jazzed.”

Founded in Center Ossipee, New Hampshire, White Horse Recovery has grown from a small organization into a leading nonprofit with 28 employees across four locations, providing both mental health and substance use disorder services.

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.

White Horse client, Heather, working on diamond art

Heather, a current client of White Horse Recovery, has a recovery journey marked by both struggle and resilience. After a long battle with addiction—starting with crystal meth and later cocaine—she found herself cycling through periods of sobriety and relapse.

“I’d been in and out of sobriety for a long time,” she shared.

The loss of her child in 2004 devastated her — and even as she welcomed a daughter in 2006 and a son in 2012, the pain lingered, which made recovery feel out of reach.

Things began to change, however, after her father passed away in February of 2025, a turning point that seemed to open a new chapter. Noting that this time, sobriety felt different, Heather credits much of her progress to the support she found at White Horse Recovery in Ossipee, a place she discovered after leaving jail in 2014 when her daughter was just four.

“They used to do family nights—I’d bring my kids, and we really enjoyed it,“ she recalled. “There were holiday parties and Santa would come. I developed a really strong relationship with the Recovery Coaches there, too.”

Even when she struggled, she said White Horse was a constant presence and always welcomed her back. A big part of her healing has also come through arts and crafts, specifically diamond art.

“Diamond art got me through rehab,” she said. “I’ve been doing them all the time, every day for five months at night when I’m watching TV. It’s my thing.”

Now, she shares this passion with others, leading diamond art classes at White Horse and connecting with clients through creativity and conversation.

“I’ve never really had a career,” she noted. “I dropped out of school and always found myself in mischief. I kind of feel like I have a purpose in life. All my pain and struggles—I can help somebody else.”

Relationships that were once strained have started to mend. Citing “a great relationship with [her] mom today—she describes her as her number one fan — Heather said relations have also improved with her daughter (age 20), who is currently attending school for criminal justice and lives on a farm. “I think she trusts me more now than ever,” she added.

The path to reconnecting with her 13-year-old son, who lives with his grandmother, has admittedly been tougher, but Heather said she is working with his family and his counselor to be part of his life again. “I get to see him now and I get to talk to him on Fridays,” she explained.

Her support system extends beyond her immediate family, as she says her dad’s side of the family are mostly “really supportive and encourage” her. She said her dad, who passed away, would “be so proud.” “He always wanted me to get sober and I never could,” she said. “It’s kind of crazy that I am now.”

Despite numerous successes in her life, Heather acknowledges that she does face challenges, as legal issues and probation are still part of her life. However, she said she meets these challenges with dreams and hopes.

“I want to be a recovery coach,” said Heather, who says her Recovery Coach at White Horse, Joy, has helped her set and achieve a variety of goals. “I just can’t say enough about Joy.”

In reflecting on her experience at White Horse, she said she has come to believe that her lived experience will allow her to support others in a way that only someone who has “been there” truly can. She credits White Horse as helping instill this belief in her.

“It didn’t matter how many times I messed up,” she said. “I knew the door was always open for me, and they would always help me. I feel like part of a family. They have always made me feel welcome.”

Founded in Center Ossipee, New Hampshire, White Horse Recovery has grown from a small organization into a leading nonprofit with 28 employees across four locations, providing both mental health and substance use disorder services.

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.

White Horse Recovery’s Center Ossipee Recovery Center

For many clients, especially those navigating early recovery, reliable transportation can be the difference between getting help and going without it, a reality that underscores the increased use of telehealth at White Horse Recovery.

“Telehealth allows people who might not seek treatment, because transportation is a huge barrier, to reach out for help,” said Eli Koester, MSW, LICSW, an outpatient counselor at White Horse Recovery. “Anybody who has a reliable internet connection and a safe and private space to meet can receive services through telehealth.”

Telehealth sessions are typically conducted by video, with expectations that clients participate from a safe, private space—not in shared living areas—and never while driving. White Horse also confirms the client’s location at the start of sessions to support emergency protocols if needed.

“We want people in front of a camera treating session like they were sitting in the office,” added Koester.

According to Matthew Plache, White Horse Executive Director, telehealth is particularly important for their clients.

“We service the northern part of New Hampshire, which is rural and spread out, so it’s important we do all we can to remove barriers to accessibility.”

Some of these barriers, noted Koester, are more complex. “Many people navigating recovery are in court systems and mandated to receive treatment,” he said. “However, many of them have lost their license, so being able to offer telehealth in those situations is very helpful.”

White Horse is also exploring expanded virtual programming, including the possibility of telehealth-based group services and intensive outpatient options, as community needs evolve.

“Telehealth isn’t a convenience add-on for us—it’s access to care,” said Plache. “When a person is ready for help, we want the door to be open that day, not weeks later because they can’t find a ride or can’t take the first step into an unfamiliar building.”

Founded in Center Ossipee, New Hampshire, White Horse Recovery has grown from a small organization into a leading nonprofit with 28 employees across four locations, providing both mental health and substance use disorder services.

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.