Stories of hard work + community strength

Partnership provides free job training for people who receive SNAP benefits

The Charitable Foundation is working in conjunction with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, the Community College System of New Hampshire and the Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges to make free job-training available to people who receive SNAP benefits.

Closeup of the 2024 Charitable Giving Guide

NH Business Review 2024 Charitable Giving Guide now available

New Hampshire Business Review's 2024 Charitable Giving Guide encourages people to support the nonprofits that make the New Hampshire community better for all.

For all her fondness of international travel, Louise Tillotson loved the North Country, and it quickly became her home. Courtesy photo.

Louise Tillotson teaching Fellowship paused for 2024

Foundation staff will be working with past fellowship recipients, plus other North Country educators and nonprofit partners to align the program with the Tillotson Fund's vision and principles, and determine the structure of the fellowship going forward.

Bobbie Bagley, Foundation Board of Director. (Photo by Cheryl Senter.)

A NH for All: Connections, conversations, inspiration

We were so excited to welcome more than 500 people to five community events this fall to celebrate “A New Hampshire for All.” New connections were made, new ideas and collaborations sparked, old connections rekindled. We are grateful to everyone who joined us. See below for photos, videos and links to transcripts of the remarks of our guest speakers.

Mindy Cambiar, executive director of Hundred Nights. (Photo by Cheryl Senter.)

Leading with respect, dignity and compassion for people experiencing homelessness

Our greatest challenge continues to be reducing the stigma about people experiencing homelessness. People become homeless for many reasons such as a lack of affordable housing, mental illness, substance abuse disorders, catastrophic illness, natural disasters, unemployment, or working low-wage jobs. They are individuals of all ages, colors, and abilities. They are all human beings, worthy of respect, dignity, and compassion.

Phil Wyzik, CEO of Mondanock Family Services. (Photo by Cheryl Senter.)

Advancing mental health care to strengthen community

A community mental health center is a private not-for-profit with a public mission. We provide a core array of services to the general public — like emergency crisis services — and the treatments and programs that kids or adults need should they have a disabling mental health condition. We do things that no other healthcare provider can do.

Collaboration at the heart of mission

Vital Communities’ mission is to engage people, organizations, and communities to create equitable solutions to our region’s challenges. We are not just an organization, we are a movement with collaboration at the heart of our work. We believe in the strength of our communities and the catalytic effect that occurs when diverse minds unite for a shared purpose.

Aaron Almanza attends a Pride event in Claremont. (Photo by Cheryl Senter.)

Pride builds community, belonging

When LGBTQ people can feel safe, they can become part of the larger community, which is better for everyone. When we feel we belong, and know this can be home, that we want to stay here, or to move here, we will fight for that sense of place, and we fight for each other. And because of that, we all thrive together.

Airole Warden, of the Coös Coalition for Young Children and Families and the Coös County Directors’ Network. (Photo by Cheryl Senter.)

Speaking up for North Country children and families

"A New Hampshire for All" means that we need all voices from all corners to truly move forward.

Gene Martin, executive director at the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute. (Photo by Cheryl Senter.)

Data and research to inform, make a difference

As the executive director of the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute — a nonpartisan, independent policy research nonprofit organization — and a father to two young children, I spend a considerable amount of my professional and personal life thinking about how decisions made in Concord affect lives in communities across this state.

Yasamin Safarzadeh of Kimball Jenkins. (Photo by Cheryl Senter.)

Thriving through mentorship and the arts

Kimball Jenkins is a community arts center which utilizes the tools of the creative economy to foster healing and growth for New Hampshire in order to secure a more inclusive and fulfilling future for our peoples. We are redefining what the arts can truly do for our neighborhoods.

Tanisha Johnson of Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (right) with Sandeep Bikram Shah, senior program officer (left). (Photo by Cheryl Senter.)

Address individual needs – and build systemic equity

When I was asked to come and chat about what it looks like for New Hampshire to be a New Hampshire for all, where everyone belongs, I was excited because if you know me, you will know I have a lot to say on that topic — because we are not there just yet.

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