Kathleen Sessler was honored as the 2022 Citizen of the Year by the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Wednesday night during its annual awards event at The Oaks in Somersworth.

Sessler, a licensed practical nurse, is a resident of Strafford and employed by Cornerstone VNA in Rochester as a provider liaison.

The award, sponsored by Eastern Propane & Oil, went to Sessler, who has volunteered her time to many worthy causes and organizations for nearly 20 years, according to the chamber. She gives her time to the chamber and its events, the Rochester Rotary Club, Monarch School of New England, End 68 Hours of Hunger, Cornerstone VNA, Hope on Haven Hill and community events.

Sessler is a very involved member of the Rochester Rotary Club, providing assistance with several of the organization’s events including charitable gaming, Howie’s Field of Dreams, Wings and Wheels, and Lottery Nights. She also served on the club’s board of directors for several years. Through the Rotary Club, she volunteers at the Homeless Center for Strafford County, she has organized Feast Boxes for the elderly and rings the bell for the Salvation Army on Rotary designated days.

According to Jackie Fitzpatrick, current president of the Rochester Rotary Club, “Kathy exudes the motto of Rotary which is ‘Service Above Self.' She has been a member of Rochester Rotary for 12 years and has made exemplary contributions to the success of so many activities.”

According to Kerry Norton from Hope on Haven Hill, “Kathy inspired me to become a nurse and then to become a Rochester Rotarian. Kathy’s love for her community is contagious and she inspires many to do good for the city.”

Homeless Center for Strafford County is Nonprofit of Year

The chamber's Nonprofit of the Year award went to Homeless Center for Strafford County. The center, now located at 202 Washington St. in Rochester, has a mission to provide community members and families with shelter, case management, and educational programs that lead to self-sufficiency and permanent housing. Their vision is to provide the best evidence-based, two-generational approach to eliminating community homelessness in a dignified and respectful manner. Their values are built on compassion and inclusivity; this enables them to provide a safe environment that is home-like, secure, clean, and communal, a community connection, and a goal-oriented and family-focused educational programming.

The Homeless Center for Strafford County, under the leadership of Tracy Hardekopf, states it has a retention rate of better than 94% at the one-, two-, and three-year mark of housing placement.

“To see people come to us with virtually nothing, and by partnering with us, leave with a new home, new skills, often a new job, and the potential to never again be part of the homeless population is something that never gets old," Hardekopf said.

Potter’s House Bakery & Café is Business of the Year

The chamber's Business of the Year award went to Potter’s House Bakery & Café.

Potter’s House Bakery & Café, located at 10 Chestnut Hill Road in Rochester, opened May 2, 2018,. In July 2017, Tim and Sue Wilson came home to Rochester after over 20 years of being away, living in various parts of the country. Once here, they almost immediately became involved with Cindy Ziobrowski of Camp CARD. Together, and with support from family and friends, they set out to establish a training site for young adults on the autism spectrum. Years earlier, Cindy had developed Camp CARD for just that purpose, but had never had a physical site at which to conduct the training. The partnership was sealed after Tim baked scones for the staff at Camp CARD — and Potter's House was on its way to becoming a reality.

The primary reason this bakery came to be was because of the need to provide for young adults who fell through the cracks after high school and needed job training support. Many of the students from the first few classes went on to work in other establishments in our community, especially after area business-owning customers found out what Potter's was up to and became involved in job placement. Some students have become part of the team at the bakery.

Strong community relationships have been formed with Spaulding High School, many of the elementary schools in town, as well as the Rochester Recreation Department. Potter's has made donations to these and other nonprofit organizations on countless occasions.

According to Darlene Towle of MLC Catering, “I have witnessed the behind-the-scenes tireless dedication that these two owners have invested in their business, their employees, their students, and their community. It is wonderful to see this little gem of a bakery cafe, whose motto is Goodies for Goodness Sake, is being recognized for its contributions.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rochester NH chamber Citizen of Year and more award winners