Portsmouth, NH – Partners Bank takes pride in giving back to the community in unique ways. The Employee Donation of the Month is one of them. Each month, an employee is selected to choose an organization or charity to receive a $1,000 donation from Partners Bank. In July, the selected employee was Eric Beauregard, Commercial Banker in the Portsmouth area, and he chose Arts In Reach (AIR).

Art has always been a reliable outlet for people to express themselves, explore their creativity, and feel empowered. That is the premise of AIR in Portsmouth, NH. Since 1997, AIR has engaged people between 11-22 years of age from Southeastern New Hampshire and Maine in community arts programs and mentoring. According to their website, AIR is especially geared for female teens who face inequities due to their gender identity, health, neurodiversity, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.

“Many participants experience challenges of poverty and/or food insecurity. The program helps children develop self-confidence and provides a positive outlet for teens given their social and economic challenges,” Beauregard shared.

True to their name, AIR offers programs involving a variety of different artforms including literary, performing, and visual art. The programs are led by professional artists who are passionate about the teens as much as they are about art. In July, these artistic teens were taught how to create board games, compose songs, assemble terrariums, and craft sock puppets, and proudly shared their work on the AIR Facebook page.

Qualifying participants can register for AIR programs at artsinreach.org. These after-school programs are free and include transportation assistance. They are also accepting volunteers and donations via their website.

About Partners Bank:

Partners Bank was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Sanford, Maine, with additional Maine branch locations in Springvale, South Sanford, Limerick, Buxton, Waterboro, Wells and York, as well as New Hampshire branch locations in Portsmouth, Rye, and Kingston. Partners Bank is a mutual savings bank that operates solely for the benefit of its deposit and loan customers and is focused on giving back to the communities where it serves. Deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  Partners Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Equal Housing Lender. For more information, please visit their eBranch at partners.bank, Facebook page at Facebook.com/PartnersBankOnline or call 1-888-226-5747.