Belknap House Participates in NH Gives June 7, 8

LACONIA — Belknap House opened the door to welcome their first family seeking safe shelter, a single Dad and his son. This was the start of Belknap House operating as a cold weather family-centered shelter, serving Belknap County. The father and son successfully acquired housing just before the shelter closed for the season in May, 2017.

Five years later, March 2022, Belknap House continues being a vital source of safe shelter and opportunities to homeless families. Paula Ferenc, executive director shares, “We are proud to have achieved this critical milestone, which in the nonprofit sector, is an accomplishment. Perhaps in the midst of a pandemic and housing crisis, it’s considered even more than that. During this time, we have not only provided more than 19,000 bed nights, to over 80 families and 16 pregnant moms, but the Board of Directors in 2019, made the commitment to operate year-round, an additional four months a year.”

Belknap House provides shelter, case management, education and agency referrals to families, offering them opportunities to become self-sufficient. Addressing personal barriers and making changes is hard work for parents, but it promotes empowerment and is critical in supporting economic stability and family wellness. Four families residing at Belknap House secured housing within the last two months.

NH Gives, the annual 24-hour online giving event for New Hampshire nonprofits, is taking place 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7 and Wednesday, June 8. Supporting Belknap House during this exciting event will directly support families in crisis. Our NH Gives page shares additional information at www.nhgives.org/organizations/belknap-house.