This August, the Falmouth Road Race will see three remarkable individuals from The New England Center for Children (NECC) run with passion and purpose. Caroline Stevenson and Emily Walden, dedicated teachers on the Saddle Hill Road residential team, and Rhea Beaupre, the 16-year-old sister of one of their students, Ben, will be running for Team NECC. Their shared goal is to raise awareness and support for the exceptional students at NECC, making this race more than just a run—it’s a commitment to a brighter future for children with autism.
Rhea and her brother, Ben, after the SBLI Family Fun Run in Falmouth with their Yasso bars.
Rhea Beaupre: Running for Her Brother
Rhea Beaupre’s motivation to run for Team NECC is deeply personal. Her brother, Ben, has been a student at NECC for five years and is currently a residential student on the Saddle Hill Road team. During his time, he has made significant strides thanks to a supportive environment and dedicated staff, including Walden and Stevenson.
“My little brother has autism and is, for the most part, non-verbal,” said Rhea, team NECC’s youngest member. “NECC has really helped him grow and communicate and do everyday tasks he couldn’t do even a year ago. Because of NECC and its staff, my brother is able to go to doctors’ well visits, calmly eat at restaurants, pick out his own clothes, and buy his own groceries. All things that were once challenging for him.”
To give back to the incredible staff at NECC, Rhea, a track athlete with experience running 5Ks, decided to represent Team NECC. She found no better way to show her gratitude than by doing something she loves (running) in a place that means so much to both her and Ben.
“My mom has run the Falmouth Road Race a few times, and my brother and I would go to watch her and do all the fun activities together,” she shared, adding that this included enjoying ice cream from the Yasso truck, which she is very much looking forward to this year. “My brother and I always loved getting ice cream from there. Of course, my brother keeps me going when running, but so does that Yasso truck at the finish line!”
Joking aside, Rhea is looking forward to “running alongside some of Ben’s wonderful teachers, getting to know them better, and supporting their incredible work.”
For Rhea, running the Falmouth Road Race is about more than just the physical challenge. “Raising money for NECC means the world to me,” she said. “Being able to improve my brother’s and other children’s lives is what I want out of this. I think giving back is so important, and I want to make more people my age aware of ways they can do so.”
Caroline Stevenson: A Lifelong Runner with a Passion for Teaching
Caroline Stevenson has been a runner since a young age. “I ran cross country in middle school and high school and have since continued running as a hobby,” she shared, adding that she enjoys running half marathons and recently completed his first marathon. “Running is my favorite way to stay active, be outside, and exercise.”
When Stevenson discovered that NECC offered the opportunity to run while fundraising and raising awareness for autism, she jumped at the opportunity. “Representing Team NECC is a great way to incorporate both my passion for running and for teaching,” she explained. “I am inspired by my students each day, and I am so happy to dedicate this run to them!”
Stevenson’s path to NECC began with a summer internship. “I really enjoyed the experience, the students, and the staff during my internship, so when I graduated college, I decided to come back as a level 2 teacher,” she said, adding that she is currently enrolled in the Simmons University graduate program, working towards her master’s degree in special education. “NECC has continued to offer me countless teaching and leadership skills.”
For Stevenson, running the Falmouth Road Race is an exciting opportunity. “I am most excited for an entire community coming together to run and support this amazing organization,” she said. “I can’t wait to run with my colleagues and other family members and friends of NECC. Falmouth is such a beautiful place and has a great community, so I am excited to be a part of all of it.”
She is also elated to have the opportunity to shine a light on her students. “Each day our students face challenges and have many successes, and I am so happy that I can share about the work we do at NECC,” she explained. “It is important to me that every child is loved, cared for, and given the best opportunity to be themselves. I am proud to be spreading NECC’s mission and supporting the boys I work with each day!”
Emily Walden: From Dance to Distance Running
Emily Walden’s journey to Team NECC began with a lifelong love of movement. “I was a dancer for 20 years,” she recalled. “When I graduated from college, I took an interest in running. I have run a few 5Ks and was part of the track and field team in high school.”
She chose to run for Team NECC to raise awareness and support for the students she works with daily. “I work on the youngest residential team at NECC, and it is crucial that we foster independence from an early age and support students in making significant strides toward achieving their goals each day,” she shared. “By participating in this race, I hope to highlight the importance of NECC’s mission and the positive impact we can have on our students’ lives. At NECC, we provide students with the tools and support they need to grow, thrive, and achieve their full potential.”
Walden’s dedication to special education was inspired early on. “In high school, I had a project which required me to interview someone close to me. I chose my dance teacher, who also worked at NECC. She told me all about the company and its mission. That’s when I became interested in working in the special education field,” shared Walden, who began working as a 1-on-1 aide for a student with autism at her dance studio. “Working with one little girl inspired me to pursue a degree in special education and psychology. I knew that after I graduated from college, I wanted to work at NECC because the work they do makes a difference in the community.”
Walden is eagerly anticipating the race, sharing that crossing the finish line of the longest race she has ever run will be the highlight. “I will be proud to say that I ran it as a member of Team NECC,” she said. “I am also looking forward to seeing all the NECC supporters at the race and seeing how it will bring everyone together to support a good cause.”
A Shared Commitment
Together, Emily, Caroline, and Rhea embody the spirit of Team NECC. They are not just running a race; they are advocating for children with autism, raising awareness, and supporting an organization that makes a profound difference in their lives. As they lace up their running shoes and prepare for the Falmouth Road Race on August 18, their dedication and passion will inspire everyone around them. Whether it’s Emily’s transition from dance to running, Caroline’s lifelong love of the sport, or Rhea’s heartfelt motivation to support her brother, each step they take will be a step toward a brighter future for NECC students.
To learn more about Team NECC’s Falmouth Road Race runners, visit the team fundraising page.