Imagine the fear of knowing that you are about to lose the place you’ve always called home, with nowhere to turn.

That was the sobering reality recently for Pete and his wife Marguerite. But because of the big hearts of Catholic Charities NH supporters, their worst fear didn’t happen.

Life was never easy for the couple. Pete grew up with both learning and physical disabilities, missing out on the childhood experiences most take for granted. Marguerite battled chronic mental health challenges. Both struggled to maintain steady employment or a stable income.

But what they did have was each other – and a bond that could not be broken – and a simple life in their modest apartment, made possible through Section 8 housing support.

But in recent years, rising gas and utility bills meant they had to make hard sacrifices. They discontinued their home’s fuel service, relying on space heaters and extra blankets to endure the harsh New Hampshire winters. It was uncomfortable, but they made it work.

Then came the notice that spun their world upside down.

If they didn’t reactivate their gas account, they would lose their housing.

For them, reactivation wasn’t as simple as filling out paperwork or paying a small fee. Their heating system, dormant for two years, needed an expensive repair – a repair they couldn’t afford.

The clock was ticking. The anxiety was building. Losing their home felt inevitable.

But things changed when a legal aid agency connected them to Catholic Charities NH. Thanks to donor support and our community partners, our Community Services team acted swiftly, partnering with local providers, securing funds for the repairs, getting their heat restored, and protecting their Section 8 certification.

Because of this, they now have heat and the home they love so much. And they are now working with Catholic Charities NH on financial planning to manage their expenses and bring peace of mind to the future.

Support from people like you didn’t just restore warmth – it restored hope, dignity, and the security of home for two people who had nowhere else to turn.