Poverty & Financial Hardship

Creating Stability & Self-Sufficiency for Those Struggling

Poverty & Financial Hardship

Creating Stability & Self-Sufficiency for Those Struggling

For the hundreds of NH neighbors overwhelmed by poverty or lacking adequate resources, every day is a struggle – whether it’s a family of five unsure how much longer they’ll have a roof over their heads, someone unable to afford enough food for the week ahead, or children who can’t do homework because their apartment’s electricity was turned off.

Our goal is to reduce the number of NH children, adults, seniors and families facing poverty and hardship. Through our Community Services program, we help those in crisis overcome urgent needs and shift the fundamental dynamics of their lives to create pathways that can lead to long-term success, including adequate access to housing, food, utilities, employment and other essential daily needs.

Why This Matters

  • Approximately 94,000 New Hampshire residents live in poverty, meaning it is difficult to access life’s essentials – such as rent, food, clothing, utilities and transportation – on a daily basis. Among those who come to us for support, 93% of individuals have an income less than 200% of the poverty level, 85% are unable to meet their basic needs with their own income and 72% struggle to afford heat and electricity.

  • An estimated 1-in-10 children across the state live in poverty. As a result, they face a higher risk of cognitive and developmental issues, mental health challenges, poor health outcomes and increased childhood stressors such as abuse, neglect and trauma.

  • The cycle of poverty is a real generational issue. Studies show that those who grow up in impoverished or low-income households are more likely to face similar financial challenges into their adult years.

Our Response

Case management, financial literacy training and community referrals.

Life Plans that work towards addressing underlying issues related to housing, access to food, financial security and other areas that adversely impact their overall life situations.

Online support groups around unemployment, bereavement and other timely issues that have a profoundly negative impact on NH residents.

Results & Impact

Through our work, individuals gain a more holistic understanding of the struggles they face, and can more easily identify and work towards the solutions that make lasting improvements to their lives. In the past year:

3,693

individuals, from across New Hampshire, were provided with case management, financial literacy training and other forms of support.

8,047

total household members statewide that benefited from this assistance and support.

14,300

gallons of oil were provided for financially struggling individuals and families across the state. This preserved 4,821 days of housing for 343 people who were able to sleep in a home with heat.

Our Program

Community Services

Support that paves the path to more stable and self-sufficient lives.

PHYSICAL LOCATIONS:

Stories of Inspiration

Moving Lives Forward: What is a Life Plan?

Learn more about Life Plans and how they are playing an increasingly significant role Catholic Charities NH's social services programs.
Read More >
Kassandra with her daughter.

Kassandra: Resilient and Tenacious

Learn how your support of Catholic Charities NH helped Kassandra navigate her path forward and make life better for herself and her daughter.
Read More >

Life Plan: Forging a Better Future

Kalila, a Community Services client, wasn’t just tired of living paycheck to paycheck, she was ready to do something about it.
Read More >

Need Help?

Click below if you are in need of poverty & financial hardship support and services.

 

Sign Up for Our E-Newsletter

    For the Greater Good

    Support Catholic Charities NH

    Your gift to Catholic Charities NH means a better tomorrow for your neighbors in need across the state, supporting our work with individuals and families in financial distress, and those facing other key issues such as mental health challenges, homelessness, food insecurity and more.