The challenges of our turbulent economy show no signs of abating, and the effect on organizations such as Nashua Children’s Home are indeed profound.   The budget woes of the State of New Hampshire, in particular, adversely affect our ongoing efforts with children and families.

 While the New Hampshire Legislature continues to debate the benefits vs. risks of gambling, and scrambles for additional revenue sources, the solution thus far has been to cut, continue to cut, and cut some more.  Level-funded through our per diem rates for the past several years, Nashua Children’s Home, for the first time since the inception of rate-setting in 1985, will suffer a rate cut, 2% for this year, but who knows what awaits in the 2^nd year of the Biennium.

 More concerning is the dip in program census.  While one may view less youth in residential care as a positive commentary on societal need, nothing could be further from the truth.  Time and again, youth are discharged to settings where they’re apt to be unsuccessful, and sent off with hastened discharge plans, contrary to the carefully planned transitions which the boys and girls of Nashua Children’s Home both need and deserve. More and more often, we see youngsters fail with these hastily arranged moves and see youth re-referred to Nashua Children’s Home, or to other residential programs.  One should always bear in mind the negative effects of one more failure on youth that have known more heartbreak, rejection and abandonment by the time they’re ten years old than most of us will experience in a lifetime.

 Nashua Children’s Home will do its best throughout this difficult period to maintain its economic viability and to continue to pursue our century-long mission on behalf of at-risk youth.  Your continuing support and advocacy are more vital now than ever before.

 Holiday Party was held for the boys and girls on Thursday, December 23rd.  Santa Claus and his elf arrived at the Rowland Gymnasium early in the evening and a great time was had by all.

The Season’s first Snowstorm brought the boys and girls of Nashua Children’s Home outside for snowman building and other winter activities.

This year’s Holiday Drive was the most fruitful ever, netting over $90,000 in contributions.  Once again, our supporters and advocates have stepped up, in a very big way, in times of need