Catholic Charities NH, the state’s largest human services organization, announced Nicole Plourde has been promoted to Director of Community Services. In this role, Plourde will lead the organization’s statewide program that helps New Hampshire residents navigate financial hardship and other urgent challenges.

Plourde has been with Catholic Charities NH since 2000, most recently serving as Deputy Director of Community Services. Over the past 26 years, she has supported hundreds of individuals and families – providing direct assistance, connecting them to critical community resources, and guiding them toward greater stability. She has also overseen operations of the Guardian Angel Thrift Shop in Berlin, which Catholic Charities NH acquired in 2020, and previously served as a Parish Outreach Coordinator.

In her new role, Plourde will oversee the administration, strategy, and operations of the Community Services program, including staff leadership, service delivery, and program development. She assumes this position at a time of growing need, as rising costs of housing, food, and other essentials have driven a 23% increase in demand for services, including many first-time requests for help.

In response, the Community Services program provided direct support to 4,465 individuals over the past year, including case management, financial assistance, and financial literacy education. Plourde will help ensure the program continues to meet the growing needs of vulnerable residents across New Hampshire, including those facing housing instability, utility shutoffs, lack of transportation, and other urgent needs.

Plourde, a resident of Berlin, is a graduate of Keene State College. She succeeds Marc Cousineau, who recently retired after more than 45 years of service to Catholic Charities NH.

Elaine Paquet will take over as the Deputy Director of the Community Services program. Paquet, who is a resident of Littleton and has been with Catholic Charities NH since 2018, will support program operations and staff while helping strengthen service delivery across the state.