Kelsey Wentworth with her dog

Every Thursday, Kelsey Wentworth walks through the heavy doors of Carroll County Jail carrying something most inmates have not seen in a long time: genuine hope. As a Certified Recovery Support Worker (CRSW) at White Horse Recovery, she brings SMART Recovery groups and one-on-one support to people society often writes off.

Kelsey went to jail over 8 years ago in another state for DUI charges. While in jail, she noticed some inmates felt comfortable in jail because their life on the outside was so chaotic. “Sometimes they would choose a jail sentence instead of probation because they did not believe they could stay sober long enough and would end up violating probation,” she says. She also saw little help on the inside for Substance Use Disorder (SUD), of which a majority of inmates suffer, and there was only one AA meeting a week.

That personal understanding motivates Kelsey today. She has been a New Hampshire CRSW for four years and is training to become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Two years ago, while working at White Horse’s walk-in recovery center in Center Ossipee, she partnered with a colleague to launch recovery programming at the Carroll County jail. What started as a simple idea has now become a lifeline for dozens of inmates seeking change.

“The people who come to my groups want to change,” she says. “Inmates really like the Cognitive Behavioral framework of SMART Recovery”

SMART Recovery—which stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training—is a cognitive behavioral therapy-based program that helps participants understand how thoughts affect emotions and emotions affect behavior. The program teaches practical tools for managing cravings, building motivation, and making healthier choices.

“It is sequential to stages of change,” Kelsey explains. “If someone is in the contemplation stage—which a lot of people in jail are—we address motivation first, then look at values.”

“Most people’s values are not achieved through or compatible with addiction to drugs and alcohol, and yet they continue to use drugs and alcohol. We then look at why drugs and alcohol have become a solution for them.”

Her groups are not just about addiction, as she brings in worksheets on relationships, codependency, and abuse. She has also facilitated Adult Children of Alcoholics sessions, which helps people understand how their upbringings continue to influence their lives. The group really decides on what they want to learn more about, and facilitating is based on tailoring to their interests in the scope of recovery from addictions.

“Sometimes, I will have people who want to argue—some come in once or twice,” she says. “Some people admit they are just going there to get out of their cell. Typically, though, these are groups of people who really want help.”

Kelsey Wentworth on horseback

The work is not easy, as Kelsey acknowledged that she experienced something akin to PTSD when she started the program——she was nervous around guards and generally overwhelmed by the environment. She eventually found her footing, however, through connection with the inmates themselves.

“With the inmates, there is camaraderie,” she says. “You show you care, hold boundaries, show respect, and they show respect back. I think they appreciate me more for having lived experience, for having been where they are.”

Kelsey at times facilitates conflict resolution between inmates who wanted to fight, helping them learn to communicate instead. The impact is real and measurable, as she has written letters to prosecutors advocating for treatment over incarceration and helped arrange transportation to residential treatment with coordination through case management at the jail. She has also witnessed people in her groups find recovery, including watching people who started their journey in her jail-based groups attend and graduate from White Horse’s intensive outpatient program after their release.

One story has been particularly powerful for Kelsey: during several weeks when there were very few female inmates, an 18-year-old woman was the only woman at group. She reminded Kelsey of herself – scared and alone after making mistakes while drinking. Kelsey could tell how important the one-on-one time was for her.

“She was in jail longer than I have been all my times combined because of mistakes she made while drinking,” Kelsey says. “I remember looking around and being so scared, thinking ‘Am I going to be okay?’ That is the first thing this woman asked me.”

That young woman is now heading to treatment. Meeting with Kelsey one-on-one helped her make connections about how her drinking related to her anger, which was negatively impacting her life. “I saw my younger self in her,” Kelsey says. “From the time I met her to her departure, I noticed she was more confident that treatment was the next best step for her to learn the skills she needs for long term recovery. Meeting with her allowed her to feel less alone in her experience with alcohol.”

As for the program’s future, it is unclear, as White Horse does not get paid for the jail program, and the County delegation substantially reduced White Horse Recovery’s grant funding during 2025, although Kelsey says she will continue the program on her own time if necessary. “It makes me feel good to go in there—I know I am helping,” she says. “Even if people are in denial, you can sometimes see it in their eyes that they are making connections.”

Looking to the future outside the program, Kelsey dreams of expanding her work into equine therapy (rooted in Gestalt Therapy), particularly for trauma survivors. For now, though, she is content knowing that every Thursday she is planting seeds of hope in a place that needs it most.

“Once I get out of there, I feel really good about doing it,” she says. “I am glad I do it every week.”

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.

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.

Eric in active addiction

Two years ago, Eric Ballard faced a choice that would define the rest of his life: get clean and continue cancer treatment or die.

Eric’s struggle with addiction began at age 15, after he was overprescribed pain medication for his first ACL surgery. Within two years, he was addicted.

“The night I graduated high school was the night I started Oxy,” he recalls.

By the time he was 20, Eric had dropped out of college, was abusing drugs, and became homeless—a cycle that lasted nearly a decade. He spent years bouncing between couches and homeless shelters, unable to maintain trust or stability.

“I went to rehab twelve times, but only finished five programs,” he says. “Most of the time, I wasn’t trying to be there—I was mandated to be there. Only when I actually wanted it, did it work.”

In 2021, Eric was assaulted and developed a severe abdominal infection. Soon after, he learned he had cancer. Over the next four months, he endured fifteen surgeries and eleven hospital admissions. By 2023, his medical team told him he needed to get clean or he couldn’t continue his cancer treatments.

“I really prayed long and hard on it, because I didn’t want to be alive, but I didn’t want to die either. I didn’t know how to stop.”

That was when Eric entered Valley Vista for treatment—this time, by choice and already in withdrawal. “The first night out of recovery, I heard my sponsor speak at White Horse, and it gave me hope,” he says. “I promised myself I would never detox again.”

Eric relocated from Burlington, Vermont, to Littleton, New Hampshire, determined to build a new life. He credits the move—and the support he found in Littleton’s recovery community—for his success.

“If I had never taken a chance on myself and moved to Littleton, none of this would be possible.”

He found himself in a healthy relationship, with a sponsor who held him accountable and a network that supported his recovery. White Horse Recovery and the Littleton community became central to Eric’s journey. “This community is a blessing. It’s a key part of my success,” he says.

Eric in recovery

On July 7 of this year, Eric began working as a Recovery Coach at White Horse. Drawing on his lived experience, he has found fulfillment in helping others navigate their own recovery journeys.

“It’s such a blessed feeling to know that I have the lived experience that allows me to thrive in this job,” he says. “It allows me to connect with clients on another level. I have sponsees and clients who depended on me. If I can help just one person, all my struggles will be worth it.”

Eric is passionate about meeting people where they are and giving back to the community that helped him heal. “We all do it at our own pace,” he says. “I love what I do and I’m grateful for who I work with and work for.”

Eric is now working toward becoming a Certified Recovery Support Worker and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. He is also committed to giving hope to others.

“I like to say I give a voice to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless.”

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.

Troy Barnes, CRSW and RCO Manager at White Horse Recovery, never thought his life would take the turns it did. Growing up, he was the “do-gooder” of his friend group—a skinny, music-loving kid who excelled in school and stayed out of trouble.

“I was the last person in my friend group to ever try weed. But in high school, I started experimenting with alcohol and drugs. The big thing was acid, and at that point, it was still kind of innocent. But things started to turn dark once I got to college.”

In college, while studying music and journalism at Plymouth State, Troy’s struggles with undiagnosed ADHD and OCD took a toll. Substance use became a way to cope, and he eventually dropped out. He moved to San Francisco where his addiction intensified.

“When I tried meth for the first time, I overdosed. It really messed me up. I developed a panic disorder and I had to relearn how to do basic things—I couldn’t even go to the grocery store without having a panic attack.”

Seeking a new path, Troy spent several years at a Buddhist monastery, living by Buddhist teachings and exploring spirituality. But addiction crept back in, this time in the form of opioids.

“I started doing pills and heroin, and then started selling black tar heroin. Things really went downhill for me once I started using needles. At some point, I even started making meth and got busted. My life just kept unraveling.”

Eventually, he was arrested and spent a year in prison, followed by two years on parole. After his release, Troy tried to rebuild his life, but the cycle of addiction continued. He moved to Bangor, Maine, hoping for a fresh start, but ended up homeless and using again.

His parents never gave up on him, offering support and encouraging him to seek help. The turning point came when his father was dying.

“What really got me clean was wanting my father to see me sober before he passed. And he did. One of the last times I spoke to him, we just laughed together. It was the first time I really hung out and laughed with my father. That was huge for me.”

Troy entered rehab and began the long process of healing. He participated in therapy and counseling, and slowly started to regain his life.

For years, he struggled with feelings of wasted potential and loneliness, but things began to change when he joined White Horse Recovery in November 2023. There, he found a sense of purpose and self-respect that had eluded him for so long.

“White Horse really opened up things for me. It felt like I was finally giving back, but also like I gained a certain amount of self-respect and dignity that I hadn’t granted myself yet. That’s something I still carry with me.”

Troy’s journey is a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of community.

“Getting clean is so much more than not getting high or not getting drunk. It’s about finding purpose, building relationships, and learning to live again.”

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.

How did your journey with White Horse begin?

I started working at White Horse in 2022, right after I moved to Littleton. I was in sober living and came to the center as a client. I took parenting classes and found support through a recovery-friendly workplace called Ten Foot. They helped me through the process of getting my son back. One day, Kate from White Horse mentioned they were hiring. I applied, got the job, and I’ve been here ever since.

What made White Horse such an important place for you in early recovery?

It was a safe space—not just for meetings, but to hang out and connect with people. Many of the people I was surrounding myself with were also coming here. It became a core part of my support system.

Can you share a bit about your background and how substance use became part of your story?

I moved here from Laconia and come from a large family with a history of substance use disorder. My parents were both severe alcoholics and separated when I was young. My childhood was full of partying and chaos. I had my first child at 16 and tried hard to be different from my parents. I managed for a while, but at 21, when I could legally drink, everything started to spiral. I went to rehab at 24, but lost custody of my first son, Caleb. That was the start of a long and painful journey.

What were some of the key moments in your recovery and relapse journey?

After losing custody of Caleb, I had a second child and used throughout the pregnancy. He was born with substances in his system. I served jail time and my aunt and uncle took him in. I kept using, got pregnant a third time, and finally got on Suboxone. I stayed clean for seven years, but I wasn’t in true recovery—I was just medicated. When my father died, I relapsed again—this time much worse, with meth, heroin, fentanyl, and IV use. I ended up in a shelter, and DCYF got involved again.

What finally helped you turn things around?

When I relapsed again and lost my son, it became nearly impossible to get into rehab. But I eventually made it to Littleton and started again. I worked really hard to get my son back. My partner and I stayed together, and I’ve now been clean for over three years. I became the manager of the center and a recovery coach. I’m working on my high school diploma so I can get my CRSW certification. It’s been a complete transformation.

What’s it like now working in the field of recovery?

Some days are incredibly rewarding, and some are draining. But helping people every day—just being a safe space for someone to do laundry, shower, or talk—is meaningful. Building trust is huge, especially when someone is deep in addiction. You have to walk with them, even if they’re not ready to take the next step right away.

What role does community play in recovery, in your experience?

It’s everything. You can’t recover alone. You need a network—detox, rehab, coaches, meetings, friendships. Breaking the stigma is also huge. When people feel seen and supported, they’re more likely to succeed. I’ve seen people move on, get jobs, and thrive while still rocking their recovery.

What are your future goals?

I want to finish my high school diploma and become a CRSW. One big goal is to work with drug court participants—people who would otherwise be incarcerated. Drug court is a great alternative that offers structure, support, and accountability. I want to be there for people just getting out of jail, so they have a better shot at life.

Tell us about your work with the Littleton Warming Shelter.

This past winter was the first season for the shelter. I serve on the board. We opened a 10-bed shelter for people experiencing homelessness. We saw up to 8 people stay there through the season. It’s been a powerful experience. In the mornings, people would come to White Horse for resources. Some weren’t ready for recovery, and that’s okay—we still welcome them. Meeting people where they are matters.

What keeps you going in this work?

Giving back. This center changed my life. I want to be a voice for people still struggling, and show them that recovery is real, and it’s possible. I never thought I’d be here—but I’m proud that I am.

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.