Children's Home Celebrates 109 Years [VIDEO]

celebrated 109 years serving the community during its annual meeting held May 15.

Therapist Natashia Arruda was honored for her dedication to the at-risk kids she works with daily. She received a plaque, and said she felt honored and humbled. Arruda spoke briefly, and credited her co-workers for all they do to support one another.

When asked about the challenges of working with teens, Arruda smiled.

"After nine years, I still wake up every day excited to go to work. For me, that's really what it's all about. That says it all," she said.

Arruda was the recipient Tuesday night of the Mark S. Rowland Exemplary Service Citation, given each year to a staff member who advances the mission of the children's home in the spirit of former employee, Mark Rowland, who was gunned down during a 1999 home visit for a resident of the home.

Executive Director David Villiotti, who has worked at the home for 26 years, said the annual event is truly a celebration of those who have made the work of the children's home their life's work.

Keynote speaker for the event was , 25, a former resident who continues to live and work in Nashua, and is in the process of launching a non-profit youth outreach program to promote the arts, .

Villacis returned to tell his story, and to offer a message of encouragement to those currently living away from their families, either through court placement or circumstances beyond their control.

"My experiences at the Nashua Children's Home were wonderful, and at the same time tough. I missed my family, and I wasn't sure how to get on with my life. Then I aged out, and life hit me. For those of you living here now, sometimes you feel like no one understands how you feel. But these  people here are your perfect resources. Let them help you," Villacis said.

Villacis got off to an emotional start, too overwhelmed to speak for a moment as he stepped to the microphone [see the video clip.]

"It means a lot to me to be up here, because I was there," Villacis said, gesturing toward a table of teenage boys, all residents of the home. He wiped tears from his eyes as he continued. "To come back home and see the familiar faces that made me who I am today – Nashua Children's Home will always be my home.'

You can find a history of the Nashua Childrens Home here.