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HAMPTON — Juanita Niemczyk could be a poster child for "Feminism with a Heart." Known as "Nita" to her friends, Niemczyk combines a goals-oriented get-things-done mentality, with a big heart that embraces everyone in need, even if it means extra work at no pay.
What's more, Niemczyk, whose feminine graces are readily apparent, wears more hats than a couturier:
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| Nita Niemczyk, administrative assistant at Trinity Episcopal Church, sits at her desk office at Hobbs House. (Photo/Dowd) |
She is administrative assistant at Trinity Episcopal Church on High Street, bookkeeper and day-to-day facilities manager for Aslan's Pride Nursery School (a nonsectarian, private nursery school sponsored by Trinity Church and held in the Trinity Church building), coordinator and tutor for the Alternative to Out-of-School Suspension Program for Hampton schools, liaison between Trinity Church and the Hampton Community Issues Coalition, a senior advocate and a volunteer for the HCIC and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Outreach Program.
Niemczyk's official working hours at Hobbs House, Trinity Episcopal Church's parish house on High Street, are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., but her days are usually much longer.
For example, when she has students in the AOSS Program, she begins at 7:15 in the morning at Marston School or Hampton Academy Junior High. She is there to pick up the student(s), but first meets with teachers to get the day's curriculum, resource personnel if the student has special needs, and/or the school nurse if medical issues are involved. Then she brings the students to Hobbs House, where she tutors the students one-on-one, wrapping things up by 4:30 p.m.
The AOSS program is an example of how the cooperation between Trinity Church and HCIC (whose name will be changed in January to Hampton Community Coalition), results in direct help for a community need. In 1995 Abby Cooper, a social worker at the Hampton schools, became frustrated by the difficulties she was having in trying to help students who were below the poverty level. She formed a volunteer group from the community to brainstorm, identify needs and develop programs to answer those needs. This grass-roots group became the HCIC. Realizing the good that could be accomplished, Trinity Episcopal Church made HCIC its mission in the community and provided office space at Hobbs House.
According to Niemczyk, HCIC realized about five years ago that suspended students were getting into trouble because they were not supervised when they were out of school, and they were falling behind in their academic work. AOSS was the result. It was so successful, Niemczyk said, that "two years ago it was nominated and actually made the finals for a national award, competing against programs in cities as large as Houston."
After a grant for the program ran out, the Hampton school boards were so pleased with it that they voted to pick up the expense. One of the first needs identified by HCIC in 1995 was transportation for the elderly or disabled.
"Those who have their health might not realize how important it is for an elderly person to get to the podiatrist, for example, to have their toe nails clipped," Niemczyk said.
"Without such treatment, soon they wouldn't be able to walk, but there's also the important need for transportation to the grocery store, the pharmacy, etc., etc., that we all take for granted." She spent two years coordinating the program before taking on her current job in 1997.
It is easy to see why seniors love Niemczyk. Her cheery voice, her quick hug and her smile make them feel special, a phenomenon that was apparent at the recent Applefest, an annual event for seniors sponsored by HCIC, the Hampton Recreation Department and Trinity Episcopal Church.
Held at the Hobbs House, it was a standing-room-only event with Niemczyk as senior advocate, along with Town Manager James Barrington to welcome the guests.
Niemczyk is currently getting ready for Stuff the Bus, a Christmas gift program to help the Fire Department's annual toy bank.
On Saturday, Nov. 30, trolley buses supplied by Tom Higgins of Hampton Beach will be outside all five area Wal-Mart Department Stores from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to collect gift donations for the needy.
If all this isn't enough to keep Niemczyk occupied, she also has a wonderful husband, Rich, and two beautiful daughters, Jenn, 21, and Stephanie, 16, to dote on.
