Ripples begin with small waves, which extend to create beautiful patterns across the water’s surface.

Here at Catholic Charities, these ripples are a powerful symbol of our mission in action. Each act of compassion, each listening ear, and each helping hand creates lasting ripples of change that uplift the lives of individuals, families, and communities across New Hampshire.

“Ripples of Change” was the fitting theme of this year’s Catholic Charities NH Annual Gathering, held on September 25 in Manchester. Catholic Charities staff and supporters came together to reflect on another transformative year for the thousands of individuals the organization serves.

“We are instigators of change, transforming lives and spreading hope to those facing incredibly challenging times,” said Tom Blonski, president and CEO of Catholic Charities NH. “For our clients, it all starts with one small step, one day at a time and, over time, with commitment and hard work, change begins to blossom. We’ve seen it with our veterans at Liberty House, our moms and children at Our Place and New Generation, and our students at St. Charles School. Together, we’ll continue to build a future where kindness, civility and empathy prevail, and where the most vulnerable among us find solace, support and pathways toward independence.”

Moving Lives Forward

In his Annual Address, Blonski shared key organizational successes over the past year in response to increased need, including:

• Community Services staff assisted over 3,600 individuals and 8,600 household members overwhelmed by poverty or inadequate resources, providing case management, financial literacy training, and community referrals. This represents a significant 36% increase over last year.
• Immigration Legal Services experienced a 30% increase in the number of individuals receiving high-quality legal services and advocacy.
• CareGivers provided nearly 20,000 volunteer miles driven to help homebound seniors in Greater Manchester and Greater Nashua get to vital medical appointments, as well as 128,000 pounds of food and 1,000 reassurance calls to help combat food insecurity and isolation.
• Monadnock-at-Home members had 414 service requests fulfilled by professional service providers, who assisted them with home maintenance and other household needs.
• Liberty House saw a 17% increase in the number of veterans facing housing instability and other challenges, who were served through its transitional living program for veterans in Manchester. The program also distributed nearly 45,000 items of food, clothing, and other basic essentials to community veterans – a 55% increase over the previous year.
• New Generation in Greenland provided nearly 6,600 collective nights of shelter and case management for mothers and children facing homelessness, serving 23% more individuals than last year. Additionally, 88% of families participating in New Generation’s highly successful stabilization program retained their housing after one year.
• Mental Health Counseling Services provided over 1,600 hours of in-person and teletherapy sessions, with 41% receiving free or reduced-cost services through our donor-supported sliding scale program.
• The New Hampshire Food Bank distributed 16.7 million pounds of food to 425 agency partners across the state, and recently opened a second warehouse distribution center in Berlin to better serve the North Country.
• Our seven skilled nursing facilities across the state are rated 4- and 5-stars, and five earned the coveted Pinnacle Quality Insights national award for superior customer satisfaction.
• The groundbreaking of Vose Farm Residences, a new 96-unit, two-phase senior affordable and workforce housing project in Peterborough occurred on October 2.

In His Footsteps: Marc Cousineau, A Servant Leader

Marc Cousineau, director of Catholic Charities NH’s Community Services program, was awarded the esteemed In His Footsteps Award, which recognizes a Catholic Charities staff member who exemplifies the core values of collaboration, honor, optimism, integrity, compassion, excellence, and service.

Cousineau recently celebrated his 40th anniversary with Catholic Charities, a career deeply rooted in his strong faith and passion for helping others. Over the years, he has reshaped the lives of hundreds of New Hampshire residents facing poverty and financial hardship, offering compassionate guidance and support that opens the door to more stable and self-sufficient lives.

“Marc is an exemplary example of a servant leader,” said Dominique Rust, chief operating officer of Catholic Charities NH. “His empathy and deep understanding of his clients’ situations, combined with his commitment to finding the right resources, make him an invaluable asset to our mission. He’s always willing to answer the call.”

Guardian Angel Award: Jay Buckley

Long-time Catholic Charities NH supporter Jay Buckley was recognized with the 2024 Guardian Angel Award, which honors exceptional dedication and commitment to advancing the organization’s mission of serving the needy and vulnerable.

Spending 31 years as a volunteer at the Madison (NH) Fire Department and EMT, Buckley has made a lasting impact on his community through his servant leadership. He has volunteered with the New Hampshire Food Bank sorting food and weeding gardens, established a men’s group in his former hometown of Madison, is a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus, and has participated in numerous Catholic Charities NH events over the years.

“Jay’s deep ties to the community make service second nature to him,” said Tom Blonski, President and CEO of Catholic Charities NH. “Giving back with a full heart and unwavering integrity is part of his very being. Jay embodies the principle that our Christian faith calls for actions, not just words. He is a beautiful example of a generous heart, overflowing with love and service.”

Honoring Legacies of Board Members

Catholic Charities NH also recognized three outgoing Board of Trustee members for their selfless and dedicated service to the organization. Russ Ouellette spent the last seven years on the organization’s board, including the past two as Vice-Chair. Ouellette was presented with the “Above and Beyond” Award. EJ. Powers and Tina Legere were also recognized for their many contributions.

The Work Continues

Blonski concluded with a message to the supporters that keep the Catholic Charities NH mission as strong as ever.

“As all of you give to our organization in so many ways, my prayer for you is that you’ll continue to be magnified and edified by love in your life, in your work, and among those you serve. Together, we’ll continue to build a future where kindness, civility and empathy prevail, and where the most vulnerable among us find solace, support and pathways toward independence.”

The evening featured a cocktail hour, appetizers and introductory remarks from Bishop Peter Libasci.