Meet the Friends
of the River Valley

Our Vision

Friends of the River Valley’s vision is for every child, adult, and family in the River Valley to have access to meals and nutrition, books, and a variety of school, community, and wellness programs by partnering with existing programs and organizations across Western Maine’s Androscoggin River Valley.

Our Mission

Friends of the River Valley serves as a centralized resource for supporting and promoting a range of nutrition, education, health, social services and economic development across the River Valley.
A Community-Based
Philanthropy Model

Friends of River Valley serves as a centralized resource for supporting and promoting a range of nutrition, education, health, and social services across the River Valley. There are a wide range of needs to be met, which is why we partner with a wide range of organizations. The River Valley has several nonprofit groups with important missions, but without viable in-house funding mechanisms. Our goal is to strengthen and activate these support structures. We presently have an eight-person board who closely assesses the identified needs of the area, reviews our partners’ recommendations, and allocates funds that will have a measurable and lasting impact on our communities. Friends of the River Valley provides funding through grants, sponsorships, and more.

The River Valley: Then and Now

The River Valley has a rich history in wood products manufacturing and papermaking. At its peak, the paper mill employed 3,300 people and provided the area with millions in wages and tax revenue. Today, the mill employs fewer than 650. The steep decline of manufacturing has created economic insecurity in our communities: families struggling to make ends meet and local businesses struggling to keep their doors open. River Valley region is home to some of the lowest-income families in the state.

In 2017, households below poverty level averaged 16.4% in the River Valley Region, compared to 8.4% for the state.

One in five children (20.2%) in Oxford County lives in poverty

65.4% of students in the local school district (RSU 10) are eligible for subsidized meals.

In a 2018 health survey, 50% of River Valley residents who responded did not have full time jobs.

How are we addressing these issues?
SEE OUR PROJECTS

Board


Darby Beliveau
President
 Retired Attorney(1963-1994) Preti Flaherty Attended Rumford Schools Veteran: U.S. Army Former Oxford County Judge of Probate...
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Darby Beliveau
President
  •  Retired Attorney(1963-1994) Preti Flaherty
  • Attended Rumford Schools
  • Veteran: U.S. Army
  • Former Oxford County Judge of Probate and Public Administrator
  • Rumford Town Attorney (26 years)
  • Retired to Florida (1994-2020)where heavily volunteered with environmental and migrant farmworker housing issues, and programs for the mentally and physically challenged
  • Personal interests: Volunteering, exercise, and reading
Matthew Kaubris
Chairman
 Retired President/ CEO of Oxford Federal Credit Union (1995 – Spring 2023) Education: BA and MBA...
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Matthew Kaubris
Chairman
  •  Retired President/ CEO of Oxford Federal Credit Union (1995 – Spring 2023)
  • Education: BA and MBA from University of Maine – Orono
  • Community Service:
    • FAME – MPower Board Member
    • Old School Food Pantry – Committee member
    • Committee member for various local fundraisers for area residents
  • Personal interests: Basketball (former coach for youth teams to High School), camping, canoeing/kayaking, reading.

 

John S. Beliveau
Treasurer
Managing Partner, HM Payson & Co (1999-Present) Community Service: MainePERS, Board Member Portland Community Squash, Board...
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John S. Beliveau
Treasurer
  • Managing Partner, HM Payson & Co (1999-Present)
  • Community Service:
    • MainePERS, Board Member
    • Portland Community Squash, Board Chair
    • Maine Huts & Trails, Board Member
    • Sweetser Family Services, past Board Chair
  • Personal Interests: fly fishing, cross country skiing, hiking, reading

 

Cheryl A. G. Dickson
Secretary
Cheryl A. G. Dickson Board Member   Executive Director of the River Valley Chamber of Commerce...
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Cheryl A. G. Dickson
Secretary

Cheryl A. G. Dickson

Board Member

 

Executive Director of the River Valley Chamber of Commerce

Co-owner of Erik Designs, LLC

Education:  Rumford High Class of 1974

Community Service:

MedCare Ambulance Service-Board Member

Envision Rumford- Ex Officio Member

On various fundraiser committees

Personal Interests:  Sewing, Drag Racing, NASCAR, Reading and Volunteering

Lisa Poulin Marr
Board Member
Southern Brooklyn Family Services, Clinical Social Worker Larchmont Mamaroneck Community Counseling Center RHS 1982, Colby College,...
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Lisa Poulin Marr
Board Member
  • Southern Brooklyn Family Services, Clinical Social Worker
  • Larchmont Mamaroneck Community Counseling Center
  • RHS 1982, Colby College, BA 1986, Columbia University, MSW 1997
  • Community Service:
    • Fundraiser For John and Josephine Marr Alzheimer’s Research Fund
    • Volunteer for Larchmont Mamaroneck Hunger Task Force
    • Activist for various social causes and public policy change
    • Campaign volunteer for local elections
  • Personal Interests: Women’s health and wellness, travel, writing, reading, meditation

 

Nghĩa T. Ha
Board Member
Local paper mill (1995-current) Education: Mountain Valley High School, 1990, UMA 2008 BS Computer Information Systems,...
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Nghĩa T. Ha
Board Member
  • Local paper mill (1995-current)
  • Education: Mountain Valley High School, 1990, UMA 2008 BS Computer Information Systems, KVCC 2008, Pulp and Paper Technology
  • Community Service: Lifetime member of Rumford Area Historical Society and Mexico Historical Society, member of Dixfield and Canton Historical Societies, Rumford Grange Citizen of the Year 2013, Town of Mexico Citizen of the Year 2018
  • Personal Interests: Collecting and preserving local history, gardening and canning fruits and vegetables, reading
Severin M. Beliveau
Board Member
Senior Partner, Preti Flaherty Law Firm Education:  Attended Stephens High School Community Service Honorary Consul of...
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Severin M. Beliveau
Board Member
  • Senior Partner, Preti Flaherty Law Firm
  • Education:  Attended Stephens High School
  • Community Service
    • Honorary Consul of France in Maine
    • Former State Representative and State Senator
    • Former Trustee, University of Maine System
    • Board Member, ArtsEngageME
    • Professor Emeritus, University of Maine
  • Personal Interests:  Hiking, reading, and chainsawing.

 

John C. Pepin
Board Member
Retired US Air Force Colonel Currently employed by ND Paper Rumford Best Western Plus Rumford Falls...
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John C. Pepin
Board Member
  • Retired US Air Force Colonel
  • Currently employed by ND Paper Rumford
  • Best Western Plus Rumford Falls Board Member
  • Education:
    • Rumford High School
  •       BS, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  •       MBA, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
  •       Master of Strategic Studies, United States Air War College
  • Community Service:
    • Rumford Board of Selectpersons
    • Rumford Poland Spring Community Benefit Fund Committee
    • Beautify Rumford
    • Mountain Valley High School Athletic Boosters
  • Personal Interests: landscaping, traveling

Want to get involved?

Learn How
Explore Our Projects

Friends of the River Valley works to assess the most urgent needs of the western Androscoggin River Valley and then provide funding through grants, sponsorships, direct donations, and more to help address these needs.
See projects
Apply for a Grant
Are you an organization in the River Valley with a program or an idea that we can help fund? We provide funding through grants, sponsorships, and direct donations, and would love to get these funds into the hands of people looking to make a difference.
Annual Reports

2023 Annual Report

2022 Annual Report
Drop Us a Line
Alternatively you may…
Email us directly
info@friendsofrivervalley.org
Mail us

Friends of the River Valley
PO Box 175
Rumford, ME 04276

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