Latest News - September 2020

Rep. Pappas Visits Compass House

On Thursday, September 3rd, Congressman Chris Pappas paid a visit to Compass House in Laconia. Horizons Counseling Center, Navigating Recovery of the Lakes Region, and Lakes Region Community Developers were all on hand to welcome him to the eight-bed group home for women in recovery. LRCD developed Compass House last year. It opened in mid-February, shortly before Covid-19 shut things down. Since opening, there have consistently been between five and seven guests staying at Compass House, which is operated by Horizons with recovery supports provided by Navigating Recovery.
 
One Compass House guest, Mariah, was kind enough to share her story with Congressman Pappas, underscoring the importance of supportive housing for women in recovery. Mariah started on her recovery journey this summer. She said that treatment and the supports she gets at Compass House have been critical to her recovery thus far. She said, “I don’t want to be the person I was, and now I am so excited for the future.”

Funders Support LRCD Residents

We are grateful to our partners and funders that have helped build our Emergency Rental Assistance Fund with new grants or by allowing flexible use of previously granted funds. NeighborWorks America, Dobles Foundation, Linden Family Foundation, Northeast Delta Dental, The Hodges Companies, and Eversource Energy have helped us ensure that our residents continue to have a stable healthy home during these uncertain times.

LRCD Welcomes Skylor Beery

LRCD is excited to introduce you to Skylor Beery, our second Resident Services Coordinator. Skylor and Kristy Pearce will work together as Resident Services Coordinators to serve our 700+ residents, as well as expand our Community Building & Engagement Program.

Skylor is originally from Kansas and moved to Laconia over two years ago. Since moving to the region Skylor has become an active community member, she is the President of The Lakes Region Young Professionals network, a board member for Stand Up Laconia and Neighbors In Need. She is also a part of Leadership Lakes Region Class of 2020. Skylor has spent the last 5 years working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence, helping them heal, move forward, access the services they need.

We are thrilled to have Skylor on staff and be able to increase the capacity of our Resident Services and Community Building programs.

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NH Housing Relief Fund

If you know someone struggling to pay their mortgage or rent because of Covid-19, please tell them about the NH Housing Relief Fund, which can provide one-time grants and ongoing assistance to help keep NH families housed.

Support LRCD With Tax Credits Purchase

$185,000 in NH Business Tax Credits Available

We moved into 193 Court Street, Laconia last summer, but the renovations are not done! Last, year, we did all the work we could afford to do to convert the vacant building into our headquarters and the hub of our community building & engagement work in Laconia. The items still left to do include: more insulation, new siding on the north and west walls, parking lot improvements, and landscaping. If your business pays NH business enterprise or business profits taxes in NH, you can redirect a significant portion of your tax liability to a local project like this. Please contact Carmen at CLorentz@LRcommunitydevelopers.org if you are interested in supporting the 193 Court Street Project.

Green Tip - Check Your Tires

Cooler temps can lower your tire pressure. Under-inflated tires reduce your car's fuel efficiency. It takes just a few minutes to inflate your tires to the proper pressure and it's worth it!