Emily Carrara:
Why are you nominating this individual?
"It is my sincere honor to nominate Emily Carrara, CRSW, for the Emerging Leader in Healing and Recovery Award. As both a colleague and a friend, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand her exceptional dedication to advancing recovery, prevention, and community healing throughout New Hampshire. In just four short years, Emily has emerged as a true force in the recovery field—driven by purpose, fueled by compassion, and guided by her unwavering belief in the power of community.
Emily entered the field with a clear mission: to help others. After relocating from Rhode Island to New Hampshire, she took her first role in human services as a Family Engagement Coordinator at Waypoint. From there, she quickly moved into more intensive roles—first as a Clinical Case Manager at Families in Transition, and then in November 2023, she joined Amoskeag Health, where she continues to thrive in the outpatient Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program. Within this program, Emily has also stepped up to supervise substance use prevention and recovery efforts, working closely with community leaders on strategy, outreach, and implementation. Her approach is collaborative, data-informed, and always deeply empathetic.
Beyond her direct service work, Emily embodies leadership through action and advocacy. She currently serves as the Secretary on the NHADACA Board (New Hampshire Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association), a position she has held for nearly two years. She earned her CRSW in 2022 and is now certified to facilitate SMART Recovery meetings—yet another avenue through which she uplifts individuals on their path to wellness. On top of all this, she is just four months away from completing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Emily’s commitment extends far beyond her professional roles. For three years, she served as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for the state of New Hampshire. In 2021, she volunteered with United Way in Nashua and was instrumental in launching the Period Pantry, providing vital resources for underserved populations. She regularly donates her time, energy, and personal resources to numerous community causes, often attending and representing Amoskeag Health (currently) at prevention, recovery, LGBTQ+, etc. festivals within the Manchester community. Emily also personally runs an annual fundraiser that supports rotating humanitarian needs—a true reflection of her responsive and person-centered approach to giving back.
Emily's leadership is defined by innovation, inclusivity, and action. She is never content to sit on the sidelines—she is the first to volunteer, the last to leave, and always the one asking: How can we do better? How can we reach more people? She has a gift for identifying outdated systems and improving them with creativity and compassion. Whether it’s pioneering community prevention strategies or uplifting marginalized voices, Emily consistently turns insight into impact.
To know Emily is to know a relentless advocate, a collaborative change-maker, and an endless source of energy and support. She has already made a remarkable impact in multiple New Hampshire communities,
and she is only just beginning. I am in awe of what she has accomplished in such a short time, and I am confident that Emily will continue to grow into one of the most influential leaders in the recovery field.
Any organization, team, or community would be fortunate to have Emily Carrara in their orbit. She is a rising leader, a bold visionary, and above all, a heart-forward human being, deeply committed to healing and hope.
With full confidence and deep admiration, I recommend Emily Carrara for the Emerging Leader in Healing and Recovery Award."
Biography:
Emily has been in New Hampshire for almost 3 years and hit the ground running when it comes to serving her community. Emily currently works at Amoskeag Health in Manchester, NH as the MAT Case Manager/Community Outreach Worker. Before that, Emily worked at Families in Transition as the Transitional Living Program & Recovery Housing Case Manager, helping women and children in early recovery transition into the community.
Throughout her time in New Hampshire, Emily has acquired her CRSW and graduated from the UNH Building Futures Together Program in Spring 2023. Emily's Capstone Project through that program was selected to present at the Strengthening Families Summit in the summer of 2022. This project focused on ACES and their effect on folks with SUD. Emily is also currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through SNHU and is slated to graduate November 2024.
Outside of work, Emily has been a dedicated CASA/GAL since the Spring of 2021, advocating for children who are affected by reunification and DCYF involvement. Emily has participated in court hearings, IEP meetings, team treatment meetings and regular visits with the children on her case. Additionally, Emily played an integral role in launching Rosie's Pantry in Nashua, NH, which provides free menstrual hygiene products to those in the community who need them, back in 2022.
Emily continues to have a positive attitude and fresh perspective when handling any issue or barrier she is faced with. Her passion for networking and community building is exemplified by her regular attendance to community events and resource fairs. Emily also actively engages in weekly outreach with community partners who help connect clients to services, bridging any and all gaps when coordinating care. Emily's passion is for helping others and that is shown every day through her hard work, dedication, and eagerness to learn.