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Nashua Pastoral Care Center
7 Concord Street
Nashua, NH 03064
Phone: (603) 886 -2866
Fax: (603) 886 -9214


      

Our History. . .
celebrating 22 years

History of NPCC  1987 – Present

1982 - Under the direction of The Rev. Robert Schenkel, then Rector, and Carl Swenson, administrative staff member, the congregation of the Church of the Good Shepherd approved a by-law mandating that 10% of its annual budget was to be spent each year on LOCAL outreach. Forming the "Community Concerns" committee and program, Carl began spending half of his time responding to the needs of the community, and the Emergency Assistance Program began, spending some $20,000 per year.

1986 - The Rev. Dr. Robert “Odie” Odierna became Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd.  After discussions with Mr. Swenson, examining the needs of the community, and observing the growing demand for limited church resources, the decision was reached that a unified community effort might better respond to the needs that were overwhelming the church’s resources. The goal was to enlist religious, civic, business and government entities to join CGS in this work.

Dec 1986 - "Community Concerns" held its first “Adopt-A-Family” Christmas Program, with parishioners helping four families.  This program is now run by the Care Center as its Holiday Program, bringing in gifts, clothes, and food to over 300 families in need.   In 1996, The Telegraph officially designated the Care Center as a recipient of monies from the “Santa Fund Campaign” to help fund this program.

Jan. 1987 - Under the leadership of Odie and Carl, CGS separately incorporated the Nashua Pastoral Care Center, Inc. as a non-profit, non-denominational agency with a 501(c)3 tax-exempt status.  A small board of directors was formed, and Odie became the agency’s first President and remained in that role until 1994.  Carl was hired as the agency’s first Executive Director.   The agency had a budget of $50,000 and one employee Carl, running an Emergency Assistance Program.

May 1987 - A CGS parishioner began bringing in food to start a Food Pantry. This quickly grew to where this function is today feeding some 3,000 people a year through donated goods.

1988 - Desiring to facilitate a healthier, permanent change in its clients, the Transitional Housing Program and the Security Deposit Loan Program were created.  Part time staff members were added. Transitional Housing met the need for long-term support of the clients.  The Care Center accessed 6 local apartments from local landlords at reduced rates this first year.

The Board held its first annual fund raising event - The Gourmet Festival that raised $6,000.  This annual event now brings in over $95,000.

1990 - There was a need for enhanced income and the Board started its annual Golf Tournament, raising $5,000.  Today, this event generates in excess of $25,000.

1991 - The Care Center now employed three full time people, and its budget was $250,000.   Funds were comprised from religious, civic, business, city, state, federal, and individual sources.  Inadequately operating out of classrooms and closets at CGS, it was now time for the Care Center to find its own quarters to efficiently run its operations.

1992 - With the help of $100,000 of capital seed money raised by the Care Center, the Church of the Good Shepherd constructed a second story addition to its office building, creating office space for the Care Center.  The Care Center paid rent to the Church for the use of this space, with the amount being equal to the monthly payment of the 10-year mortgage the Church obtained to complete the project.  Two additional staff members were hired during this time to help fulfill program and administrative functions.  The first Penny Drive was held raising $7,500.  Today, this event raises over $38,000.

1994 - The Care Center purchased its first owned Transitional Housing site at 12-14 C Street, later named “Caroline’s House”.  This four-unit apartment building enables the Care Center to administer this program at 50% of the cost of renting from local landlords.

Due to its experience with security deposit loans, the Care Center became the agent for the State of New Hampshire to administer the Housing Security Guarantee Program for southern Hillsborough County.    Over 130 security deposit vouchers are issued annually. With the always increasing demand for funds, the Care Center began the “200” Raffle fund raiser.

1996 - The Care Center joins United Way.  Its fiscal operations changed from a calendar year fiscal year to a July - June fiscal year.  The Telegraph started designating the Care Center as a recipient and distributor of its “Santa Fund” program.

1997 - With shrinking governmental funding, the agency hired a Director of Development and Community Relations to assist with public relations and fund raising.  Two part-time case managers were also hired to meet the growing needs of our clients.

1998 – NPCC’s Executive Director, Carl Swenson, retires and Maryse Wirbal is named as its new director. The purchase and rehabilitation of a second Transitional Housing property became a reality.  This property, known as “Victory House” is located at 65-69 ¾ Vine Street, and consists of 3-three bedroom units, and 2 – two bedroom units, plus a community room where biweekly client support group meetings are held.  The total cost of this endeavor was in excess of $550,000.  The Transitional Housing program can now assist with 12 single parent families at one given time in property owned by the Care Center.

2000 - The need for increased office space was apparent.  In April, the Care Center moved its operations to 7 Concord Street thanks to The First Congregational Church of Nashua.  The First Church purchased the building solely for us to use for our operations.  Our food pantry increased in size by 10 times and because of First Church’s generosity, our overhead costs were also reduced.  Upon moving, the Care Center received a $66,000+ from the Church of the Good Shepherd representing the agency’s equity in the 214 Main St. offices. These funds went to renovations of 7 Concord Street, and to the NPCC Endowment Fund.

September 2002 – NPCC purchases the Norwell Home facility and expands its transitional housing program by 80%.  This property provides a group setting for up to eight families, and helped us institute our three-phase restructuring plan of the program.  Total Transitional Housing Capacity: 18 families.   

2004 -  NPCC begins the “Securing the Future” Campaign in an effort to raise $500,000 for the purpose of enhancing the agency’s current $40,000 Endowment Fund.  A feasibility study has been completed acknowledging the need and the likelihood of accomplishing the goal set forth over a three-year campaign.
 
December 2006 – The “Securing the Future” Campaign comes to a close with the goal of $500,000 being reached, and NPCC’s holiday program in conjunction with the Telegraph Santa Fund serves a record 472 families, 1013 children.

2007 - The Care Center reaches a milestone – 20 Years of Service!  NPCC kicks-off the celebration with an event honoring The Rev. Dr. Robert Odierna’s (Odie) 20 years of active service to NPCC. 

Today - The agency currently has a budget of nearly $1 million; capital assets in excess of $1 million. It holds three major fund raising events annually; the Gourmet Festival & Auction, John P. Wirbal Memorial Golf Tournament, and the Penny Picker Drive.  It also has an Annual Appeal Drive.  It currently receives funding from United Way of Greater Nashua, City of Nashua, State of NH-Department of Homeless, Housing & Transportation Services, County of Hillsborough Incentive Fund, Stewart B. McKinney Federal Grant, religious congregations, individuals, corporations, civic organizations, and a plethora of other sources. NPCC has a volunteer Board of Directors of 24-30 members and has a current staff of twelve. 

The Mission, Past and Present: 
To offer support and provide services to assist individuals and families
transition from crisis to self-sufficiency.