“Go outside, not for the purpose of checking it off a to-do list but for the desire to feel something”
— On Connecting Outdoors - Kathleen Morton
Statement from our CEO, Sean O’Brien:
October 17, 2024
We learned through press reports that on September 30th Patrick Baker was arrested in Salt Lake County, Utah for attempted child sexual abuse. Baker was an employee of Adapt from April 2022 through July 2023. We are deeply disturbed by the allegations as the safety and protection of the youth we serve is always our first priority.
Baker, who went through extensive background and reference checks before his employment with Adapt worked with primarily middle and high school students and was with a co-facilitator for the majority of his time programming. There were no reported incidents or red flags during Baker’s time with Adapt.
We have not received any information that any criminal activity occurred in relation to Baker’s employment with Adapt.
His arrest was based on alleged conduct that occurred outside of New Hampshire. We urge anyone who has reason to believe that their child may have been subjected to abuse to immediately report it to law enforcement by contacting their local police department or Eric James of the Grafton County Sheriff's department at fjames@graftoncountynh.gov
Sean O’Brien, CEO
Adolescent Drug & Alcohol Prevention Tools.
Empowering Youth, Through Adventure
Adapt is a nonprofit organization that has been servicing Central and Northern New Hampshire for over 30 years.
Our goal is to organize, coordinate, and administer an alcohol, tobacco, and other substance abuse, prevention and intervention program that address the needs of youth ages 5 to 21 in the communities we serve. We collaborate with area schools, local businesses, police, community members, and other agencies to achieve this goal.
We offer a wide variety of programs and services that offer alternatives to using and abusing alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Our programs provide positive alternative activities for youth in the towns of service by empowering youths to lead and promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Some of our programs include individual consultation, referrals to agencies, educational information, peer support groups, anti-smoking groups, social skills groups, and a Leaders in Prevention group. We also offer after school activities, open gym, pro-social activities, educational speakers, and one-on-one mentorships.
Our programs are staffed with full- and part-time employees, interns from Plymouth State University as well as with the support of community volunteers.
Mission
To serve as a leader and a catalyst for improving the health and safety of all youth - ages 5-21 - who reside within the communities we service, by promoting strategic approaches and collaboration with other agencies and programs to reduce Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug use and abuse and other associated problems.
Goals
To empower local youth, by working with organizations and policy makers to cultivate safe and drug free communities in the Counties of Grafton and Coos, New Hampshire.