Each year, we provide comprehensive, community mental healthcare to 38 towns and 110,00 residents in southwestern New Hampshire. Our almost 200 team members serve over 2,000 children and adults with mental illness through more than a dozen distinct programs in parent education, youth development, family support, elder care, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and individual and group treatment and recovery support for persons and families struggling with mental illness.
As the demand for our services goes up, so does our need for generous donors like you. Supporting our annual fund means more individuals and families will receive the guidance and support they need as they navigate their mental health journey.
Terry’s Story: “I had been experiencing financial difficulties and struggling to try and pay off my debts. When the time came to inspect my vehicle, I was more than nervous about the cost. And I was right to worry. The garage told me I needed brake pads and 4 tires to receive my inspection sticker. This was cause for panic. When I went to have my brake pads replaced, I was told that I also needed rotors. I paid for that repair but I couldn’t cover the tires yet, which they said could ‘blow out’ at any time.
Living in Walpole, I needed a vehicle to see my MFS therapist, case manager and medical provider. I was also starting in RPH (Restoring Positive Health), which I needed very badly. And of course, there were the basics like groceries, laundry, and vet visits. I mentioned my plight to my case manager, Stefanie Worcester and as usual, she went about trying to help me resolve this problem. She arranged for a special donor to pay for my tires! This was a tremendous relief.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the kind donor as well as Stefanie for going above and beyond to engineer this miracle. Now I have a valid inspection sticker and 4 safe, new tires. I can get to all my appointments and have a renewed state of mind about traveling and the generosity of caring people.”
Sometimes, It’s About Baseball: Deseree and her two children have been through a lot. They experienced homelessness when their apartment building was sold. She decided it was a good idea to get help for her children at MFS, with counseling and case management. When her daughter really wanted to sign up for baseball, Deseree felt panicked. She had to fix the car and didn’t have money for baseball. Because of MFS donors, 8-year-old Alaina has gotten to play her first game. According to mom, it’s all she talks about.
There was the elderly woman with the bad back who was in desperate need of a new mattress top, a life changer for her. So many of the people who turn to MFS for their mental healthcare are struggling financially. In fact, 75% of our clients are on Medicaid.
We have been able to help so many MFS clients with their mental health. They work hard in every way to better their lives. Our folks need a hand up, not a handout. Being able to help them with their fundamental needs improves their functioning, and their physical and mental well-being. Your compassionate support means everything to them and to all of us on staff.
Please help us help them. Give what you can now and be a life changer. Help us replenish these critical funds! Your kind-hearted generosity will go directly to meeting these basic needs for children and families in our community, so they can give their full attention to their mental healthcare goals.
“Thanks to the generosity of community members like you, Opportunity and Hope: The Campaign for MFS has been a success! In June, MFS took ownership of 40 Avon Street in Keene, making us one step closer to our goal of consolidating all Keene programs under one roof!
Currently, our Keene programs are housed across several cramped, outdated buildings. Having all of our services under one roof will create greater shared purpose and cohesion among staff and programs for the good of its clients. In our new location, clients will be greeted with an attractive, welcoming space that sends a message of healing, happiness, and recovery. And the cost of owning, occupying, and maintaining this one building is lower than owning and renting four different locations. Our new building will provide ample space for programs that complement our clinical work, like expressive arts therapy and yoga, and will allow for an expanded on-site pharmacy for clients.
While our main effort for fundraising for this project is complete, donations are welcome as we enter the renovation phase of our plans. The goal is to move the Keene-based community services into the renovated space sometime in 2023.”
For more information on MFS’ capital campaign, please contact Kayla Szczesiul at 603-209-5947 or kzczesiul@mfs.org.
