Richie McFarland Children’s Center & Waypoint Merge

On January 1st, 2022, the Richie McFarland Center (RMC) and Waypoint, the two providers of early intervention services for Seacoast area children with developmental delays or disabilities, merged.

“The long and short of it is we believe in the power of partnership and know there is great success in collaboration,” said Borja Alvarez de Toledo, president and CEO of Waypoint.

The oldest children’s charitable organization in New Hampshire, Waypoint has seen the benefits of joining forces with fellow community service providers for over 170 years. “This merger will enhance our efficiencies and effectiveness,” said Alvarez de Toledo, “and will build our capacity for serving children and their families throughout our communities.”

RMC’s forward-thinking executive director of twenty-four years, Peggy Small-Porter, long considered the benefits of a merger. Nearly two years of careful and extensive research with members of the RMC board of directors supported the conclusion that Waypoint is the perfect partner.

“We serve the same population, share the same high standards of practice, and have deep respect for one another’s teams,” said Small-Porter. “We also share the desire to do more for the families we serve,” she added, pointing to the greater range of specialties in the larger team of therapists, and Waypoint’s diverse array of services across the lifespan.

Both organizations agree that the merger supports a holistic approach to helping families.

“Early intervention for any child is most successful when therapies are individualized around each family's specific priorities and needs,” said Small-Porter. “The merger streamlines access to Waypoint programs that can directly reduce outside stressors and enable parents and caregivers to focus greater attention on their child’s needs.”

Early intervention services continue to be housed at Richie McFarland Center on Sandy Point Road in Stratham, as a program of Waypoint. The namesake of Richie McFarland, the young hero and inspiration, will remain. Moving forward, other Waypoint services will be available under the same roof.

It really is a win, win situation,” said Small-Porter. “We can be, and will be, better together.”