It has been a very busy spring and summer season here at NHCEH. Here is a brief overview of recent successes, current updates, and news on the horizon.

Spring and Summer Updates

Following an unexpected staff transition this spring, NHCEH’s Board of Directors quickly rose to the challenge in myriad ways to keep planned programs and initiatives moving full speed ahead. Together, and with the support of our marvelous summer fellow, Amanda McTigue, NHCEH hosted a successful 2023 Granite Leaders program in early June, providing an intensive four-day training program focused on building the leadership, communications, and advocacy skills for six inspiring individuals who have experienced homelessness and have a deep desire to use their voices to help create change. With this new class, NHCEH’s cohort of Granite Leader Alumni now totals 46! We are excited to roll out some new engagement activities for the entire cohort this fall to provide them with ongoing support and mentorship.

In late June, NHCEH was awarded a $150,000 Tax Credit Funded Capacity Building Program Award from the NH Community Development Finance Authority, which will support a two-year initiative to strengthen NHCEH’s Granite Leaders program work and efforts to deepen engagement with the 10 regional homeless collaboratives across the state. This initiative includes the development of a comprehensive training program to provide expanded mentorship support for Granite Leader alumni. This mentorship training program will develop greater capacity to support individuals with lived experience all across the state and help them to become more engaged participants with a seat at the table to influence positive change. NHCEH’s project planning team has been convening monthly since July as it works to design the program for anticipated rollout in early 2024.

This summer, NHCEH awarded its Hope Starts Here Scholarship to two graduating high school seniors with lived experience as homeless youth. These $2,500 scholarships will help these inspiring young people to pursue their dreams of higher education and move forward to achieve their goals. We wish them much success in their future endeavors and will be cheering them on as they reach for the stars.

Training Library and Resource Center

NHCEH is pleased to collaborate with key partners on the planning and development of a new Training Library and Resource Center, which will serve as an online hub for training resources and information to be housed on the NHCEH website in 2024. The project Advisory Committee held its initial convenings in May and June and will begin moving forward with action phases this fall. Stay tuned for more details!

State of Homelessness in NH Annual Report

Over the last several months, we have continued to work on the development of NHCEH’s signature publication, The State of Homelessness in New Hampshire, which has traditionally been published as one comprehensive report. With the departure of the core staff, NHCEH Board Chair Therese Seibert and Vice Chair Gretchen Bean stepped up in miraculous ways to assist with the critical research, analysis, and writing of this key report, with assistance from NHCEH’s summer fellow, Amanda McTigue. This year’s report will be released throughout the fall as a series of smaller publications, beginning with the statewide trends in homelessness report.

Now Hiring: NHCEH Executive Director

NHCEH’s Board of Directors has been hard at work these last few months, assessing the organization’s programs, structure, and staffing needs for the various initiatives that are core to NHCEH’s mission. Since January, the Board’s Executive Committee and Board Vision and Sustainability Committee have been focused on mapping the path forward and building a strong foundation for the organization.

The NHCEH Board is pleased to officially launch the search for the organization’s next Executive Director. The job description and how to apply are available online at the NHCEH website. (This page can be accessed via the “News and Updates” section, located under the “About” tab.) Please help us spread the word of this incredible opportunity to contribute to efforts to prevent and end homelessness in New Hampshire.

Fall Activities and More

This fall, we are thrilled to have Amanda McTigue continuing on with us through a Fall Internship with the UNH Department of Social Work. Amanda will support the expansion of Granite Leader program activities, the development of NHCEH’s research reports, and other program activities.

In the coming weeks, NHCEH will be posting more frequently to share updates on upcoming activities and changes on the horizon. We will soon transition to a new email platform, which will enable us to be better able to communicate with subscribers more frequently and provide options for receiving communications tailored to your interest areas. Visit our website to sign up for email updates.

Thank you for your continued support of NHCEH’s mission and work. If you value NHCEH’s work, please consider making a donation to help sustain the organization and its work. Visit our website donation page to learn more.

Thank you for standing with NHCEH in the effort to prevent and end homelessness in New Hampshire.