One of the most special things about the River Center is that many of the people who eventually help carry our mission forward first arrive as participants. This month, I’m excited to introduce two of our newest staff members, Martha and Katie. While both are brand new to the River Center team, each brings a deep, personal connection to children, families, and community care.

Martha joined the River Center staff this year, but her relationship with the Center began years ago as a parent. She attended Mini Explorers and Wild Wednesdays with her three girls during a season when simple, outdoor connection felt essential. Those programs became a lifeline for her family, a place for friendships to grow, for her children to learn through play, and for everyday days to feel a little more expansive and supported.
Outside the River Center, Martha has long been involved in supporting children and families in meaningful ways. She’s spent years volunteering with Girl Scouts as a troop founder and leader, worked closely with young children in the ConVal School District, and brings a thoughtful understanding of child development shaped by both education and experience. Now, as one of our newest team members, she carries that background, and her lived experience as a parent into her work here. While she’s still settling into her role, Martha is especially excited about building relationships with families and helping shape programs that meet them where they are, including ideas like open gym time and family night events.

Katie is also brand new to the River Center staff and brings a natural warmth that immediately puts families at ease. With a background in early childhood education and years of hands-on experience supporting children in home, classroom, and community settings, Katie has always been drawn to work that blends caregiving, learning, and service. She’s spent time supporting children with diverse needs, volunteering in inclusive athletic programs, and showing up wherever families needed an extra set of caring hands as a Nanny.
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Katie found the River Center just a few months ago after becoming a first-time mom. Attending Baby Time and Walk and Talk with her newborn son, she quickly felt she had found her community. Today, she brings that same sense of belonging into her work, often with her baby right by her side, modeling the kind of family-centered, welcoming environment that defines the River Center.

Though still new to both the River Center team and the area, Katie is full of ideas and excitement for what’s ahead. She’s eager to help expand programming in ways that support whole families, from movement and outdoor play to practical learning opportunities that bring people together.

Martha and Katie are wonderful new additions to The River Center team, and though they are just beginning this chapter with us, their stories reflect something timeless about our work: when families feel supported, they are often inspired to give back. Together, they now lead the majority of our parenting programs, with Katie also facilitating our New Ipswich Toddler Time independently, and we are so grateful for the energy, warmth, and leadership they bring. We hope you’ll come meet them at one of our free programs, including New Ipswich Toddler Time, Mini Explorers (outdoor play for ages 2–5), Baby Storytime, Walk & Talk (Thursdays, 1–2 PM, various locations), Generations Together at RiverMead (first Mondays), or Pop-Up Create & Play in Greenfield. To learn more or register, visit our calendar at www.rivercenternh.org/calendar.html

Among all our programs, Generations Together remains one of the dearest to me. This intergenerational gathering brings RiverMead residents and local children into the same room to share a story and an activity. The structure is simple, yet the impact is profound. Research shows that intergenerational programs strengthen children’s social and emotional development, reduce loneliness among older adults, and build empathy across ages. But the real proof is in the moments: a child’s laughter easing an elder’s posture, or a resident’s story holding the full attention of a four‑year‑old. These exchanges are small, but they carry real weight.

Each session is thoughtfully crafted. Our staff collaborates closely with RiverMead residents to choose meaningful activities and stories. Most days, the magic unfolds effortlessly, children discovering the warmth of older generations, and residents rediscovering the joy of being needed and remembered.

This winter, however, brought a different experience.

Between transitions at The River Center, the holiday rush, and the natural overwhelm families often feel this time of year, attendance dropped. For two months, parents and children weren’t able to join us. The RiverMead residents were gracious and understanding, yet I could still sense their disappointment. They had prepared. They had looked forward to the children’s arrival. And when the room stayed quiet, the absence was felt.
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Rather than letting that moment pass, we gathered to reflect and brainstorm ways to strengthen participation. One idea rose quickly to the surface: write this column. Share what this program truly offers. Remind families that Generations Together is here, open, and completely free.

So here is what I want you to know.

This program welcomes any parent or caregiver with young children across the ten towns we serve — Peterborough, Greenfield, Temple, Mason, Greenville, New Ipswich, Sharon, Jaffrey, Rindge, and Dublin. While we offer many programs throughout these communities, Generations Together is something special. It provides connection for families who may feel isolated, for those without relatives nearby, or for anyone who wants their children to experience the richness of older generations. It also offers RiverMead residents a meaningful way to stay engaged, share their stories, and feel part of the lives of young families.

When children walk into that room, they bring more than energy. They bring purpose, joy, and life. When seniors show up, they bring more than stories. They bring history, wisdom, and love.

Intergenerational programs like this one do more than create sweet moments. They:

• Reduce loneliness among older adults, improving emotional and even physical well‑being.
• Boost cognitive engagement, keeping seniors mentally active through storytelling, conversation, and play.
• Support children’s social and emotional growth, teaching empathy, patience, and respect for aging.
• Break down stereotypes, replacing assumptions with real relationships.
• Strengthen communities, helping people of all ages feel seen, valued, and connected.

This program is a bridge, one our community needs more than ever.

As I celebrate my first year at The River Center, my hope is simple: that more families discover the beauty of Generations Together. That more children and seniors share stories, crafts, and moments that matter. And that we continue building a community where no one feels alone, and everyone, no matter their age, has a place to belong.

And so, as we look ahead, I want to extend an open invitation.

If you are a parent, a homeschooler, a babysitter, or simply someone caring for a child who would benefit from this experience, whether that child is a newborn or somewhere closer to “age infinity”, Generations Together is waiting for you. We meet on the first Monday of every month at RiverMead from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., and every gathering is free of charge.

Registration is simple. Visit www.rivercenternh.org, head to Get Involved, and click on Attend a Program. You’ll find our most current calendar with all program listings. Just select Generations Together and fill out the short registration form.

This group is for families who want connection, for children who thrive on new experiences, and for seniors who light up when little feet and big imaginations enter the room. It’s for anyone who believes that community grows stronger when generations grow together.

​This season of giving, something truly special has arrived. We were approached by Sween Fleetz, a local transportation company owned by Edward Sweeney, who also runs the food-delivery service SweenEats. Ed came to us with a simple goal: to help people get where they need to go, no matter their circumstances.

Ed’s commitment comes from experience, and from his faith. In 2022, during the COVID lockdowns, his family was homebound for several days with very little food. That experience inspired him to start SweenEats and eventually expand into transportation services, recognizing that so many people in our community were stuck, literally and figuratively.​

When rising fuel costs forced Ed to raise his fares by just $5, he lost riders, not because they were angry, but because they simply couldn’t afford it. That moment sparked a question in his heart: How can I help those who truly need rides, regardless of their ability to pay?​

​From that moment, the P22 Initiative was born, named after Proverbs 22:2: “Rich and poor have a common bond: the Lord is the maker of them all.” Through this program, community members can donate via the SweenZapp app. Donations are converted into transportation vouchers, which The River Center distributes to residents for essential travel, medical appointments, funerals, and other critical needs.

​The River Center coordinates with Sween Fleetz to schedule rides, monitoring calls, and determining eligibility. While we cannot accommodate same-day or emergency rides due to staffing limits and same day ride availability, this program allows us to help people plan and access transportation for the moments necessary travel.

​While contributions to Sween Fleetz for the P22 Initiative are not tax-deductible, they have an immediate impact by helping community members access essential transportation. I just want to add a disclaimer that If what you are looking for is a tax deduction, especially this time of year, you can always donate directly to The River Center, these contributions remain critical for supporting the full range of programs and services that help families thrive.

During this season of giving, seeing programs like this take root reminds me why I do this work. It’s not just about rides or services, it’s about hope, connection, and the dignity of making sure no one must stay stuck.​

​What this means locally: families are receiving their full benefits for now, but the rules keep shifting—and that unpredictability is its own burden.

Sources:
1. Reuters: Trump administration cannot withhold full funding for food aid, US appeals court rules
2. AP News: Supreme Court Justice issues temporary stay on full SNAP benefits
3. USDA FNS: Revised SNAP benefits update, November 2025
4. The Guardian: USDA tells states to "undo" SNAP benefits
5. New York OTDA: SNAP benefits and shutdown update
6. NH DHHS: DHHS announces availability of full SNAP benefits
7. WMUR: SNAP/WIC benefits continue in NH amid federal uncertainty

At The River Center, we’re here for you when life feels heavy whether you need parenting support, help during a crisis, or even just someone to prepare your taxes. That’s what we do. And it’s because we’re committed to being here for you that we sometimes have to make hard decisions, the kind that ensure we can keep serving this community for many years to come.​

​Change is one of those words that can stir up a mix of emotions. In community work, it’s something we talk about often, but it’s rarely easy when it arrives at our own doorstep. Recently at The River Center, we’ve been in one of those reflective seasons, looking carefully at our programs, our budget, and our long-term sustainability. It’s the kind of process that asks you to think not just with your head, but with your heart.

​Last week, I sat in our staff meeting surrounded by people who care deeply about this mission. The air was a little heavier than usual as we talked about a recent change in our staffing, what it means for our work and, most importantly, for the people behind that work. These are not just “positions” on a chart. They’re people who have greeted families at the door, listened with empathy, and quietly held others up during hard times.

​We are also feeling the broader pressures around us. With budget cuts happening in many sectors and even the recent federal government shutdown, it’s impossible not to notice the ripple effects. Staff understandably feel anxious, wondering what it will mean for our state funding and how we can continue to support our families in the face of such uncertainty.

The human side of change is about gratitude for those who have been part of our story, and for the community that continues to believe in it. It’s about remembering that change doesn’t erase what came before; it builds upon it. It’s about trust—trusting that by making careful, sometimes painful choices, we’re protecting the heart of our mission so it can continue to thrive.
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As I watch the leaves begin to turn outside my office window, I can’t help but see the reflection of our own season. The trees let go, not because they’ve failed, but because it’s part of how they renew. Change, in that way, is an act of stewardship—of caring for what matters most so it can grow strong again.
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Yes, change can be hard. But in the end, it’s deeply human. And when it’s guided by compassion and courage, it leads us exactly where we need to be.

No matter which program you choose, the goal is the same: creating space for kids to thrive and parents to feel supported. Nicole says she knows the programs are working when she sees children looking forward to reconnecting with friends week after week, or when she watches parents rally around one another with advice, encouragement, or simply a listening ear.

While I understand that many in these communities have already engaged in important conversations around this issue, I want to share the perspective of someone newly stepping into both this role and this region. From where I sit, it feels like we, as a community, are still falling short of addressing the real and urgent needs of our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness.

At The River Center, we see the human face of this crisis very often. Families, many of whom have done everything right as far as accessing the systems available, come to our door asking for help. They’ve accessed available resources. They’ve followed the protocols. And yet, after eight months or more of searching for a home, they still can’t secure a place to live due to the severe housing shortage in our region.
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Do you know what happens when a family exhausts the maximum stay allowed at a shelter? They’re turned away, because the shelter must make room for others. And then what? Where do they go? Too often, the answer is: nowhere safe.

In our small towns, homelessness is easy to overlook. There are no tent cities lining the streets, no clusters of people asking for change on the sidewalk. But just because it isn't visible doesn't mean it isn’t here. Rural homelessness often wears a different face: families sleeping in their cars, young people couch surfing, individuals pitching tents in the woods because there is nowhere else to go. These are our neighbors, real people who are sitting in your pew at church, volunteering at the local food pantry, or walking their kids to school from a borrowed floor mat in a friend’s basement.

I do know of some wonderful housing projects that are working hard to respond to the shortage crisis. For example, Catholic Charities is developing  64 units in the first phase of an affordable housing project that will ultimately create 94 units in Peterborough that will serve 225 individuals. The applications are out and move in should start in January 2026. The project will serve individuals of low income households and will include an on-site Resident Services Coordinator that will direct residents to services and programs. The development is responsive to the significant need for affordable housing, crisis care for mental health, and affordable health care for low-income families.  We also have The Peterborough Affordable Housing Committee that directly influences local housing policies and development decisions. These initiatives are vital, and I am sure there are other similar efforts I am not aware of. The problem is they don’t solve the urgent, immediate crisis. They don’t help families with no income or those who need shelter tonight, or before the snow flies again this winter. I need something concrete to tell the people who come to us after every available resource has been exhausted. If you have solutions for that, let’s talk—over lunch, if you like.

We cannot accept this as our new normal. We must do better.

This cannot be an unsolvable problem. Other small communities across the country are finding creative ways to care for their most vulnerable residents. Here are a few ideas we might consider as a community:

1. Create a Coordinated Local Response
We need a unified plan involving nonprofits, town government, faith organizations, landlords, and concerned citizens. A system-wide task force could centralize efforts and advocate for state-level resources.
2. Expand Transitional Housing Options
Support initiatives like transitional housing pods, adaptive reuse of underutilized buildings (like former motels or schools), or locally funded housing subsidies for families waiting on permanent housing.
3. Develop a Local Homelessness Resource Fund in addition to what we already have
A flexible fund supported by local donors, businesses, and grants could help cover emergency housing needs beyond what’s already available.
4. Educate Ourselves and Our Neighbors
Awareness is key. Host forums, read reports, listen to lived experiences. Let’s challenge the myth that homelessness “doesn’t exist here.” It does and it looks different.
5. Show Compassion in Small Ways
Volunteer with or donate to organizations already doing this work—The River Center, MATS (Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter), Shelter From the Storm, Hundred Nights, and others. Consider organizing a winter gear drive, preparing meals, or offering rides.

These are our towns. These are our people. If we work together—with creativity, empathy, and urgency—we can build a stronger safety net. Let’s not wait until another family knocks on our door with nowhere to go.

Let’s open the door before they have to.

Sue’s journey is one of resilience, quiet strength, deep faith and unwavering love for her family. Back in 2009, she was a stay-at-home mom raising three young children. She knew about The River Center and our parenting programs, but even though we offered a sliding scale, she was cautious with spending — always thinking of others before herself. She didn’t think the programs were for her.

But then, as life sometimes does, everything changed. Sue’s husband — a strong provider with a great job and a bright future — was suddenly laid off. They had done everything “right,” including building a substantial savings. But as months of unemployment stretched on, that safety net was slowly depleted. Eventually, they found themselves facing the unimaginable — the very real possibility of losing their home.

It’s a sobering reminder that even families who seem financially secure can be brought to the edge by circumstances beyond their control.

As Sue puts it so honestly, “You never think it can happen to you.”

When they walked through the doors of The River Center, they found more than just parenting programs; they found a community ready to help. We assisted with free tax preparation, applications for WIC, fuel and electric assistance and, perhaps most importantly, encouragement and support.

Sue recalls, “That difficult period taught me that life can throw you curveballs. Until you’ve gone through something like that, it’s easy to look at people and think they should’ve made better choices. But things happen — unexpected, uncontrollable things. And they can change everything.”

Sue joined our staff in September 2019. She describes her work here as incredibly rewarding: “I’ve seen firsthand how the support we give helps families not only survive but thrive. Having lived through our own hardship makes me even more grateful for what we do, and reminds me never to judge someone by where they are in life.”

Over time, Sue’s role has shifted to mostly behind the scenes, but her impact is felt everywhere. As operations and development manager, she coordinates our fundraising campaigns, writes grants and ensures our donors and funders know the difference their support is making. She tracks the data that shows who we’re serving in each town, and she also helps manage our family programs — communicating with facilitators and site coordinators, making sure everything runs smoothly and ensuring that each program has what it needs to succeed.

Occasionally, Sue steps out from behind her desk to attend a program or represent us at a community event. It’s a welcome change of pace and a chance to help spread the word about The River Center. And whether she knows it or not, Sue is one of the most familiar and caring faces people recognize at events like Children and the Arts.
We often hear from folks who know The River Center for just one thing — perhaps the parenting groups, the tax help or a support service they once received. But our impact goes far beyond that. That’s why we’ve been making a more-intentional effort to bring our programs directly to the communities we serve and to be present at local events. For a small organization, this takes a lot of energy, but every person who advocates for us helps carry the mission forward.

Now, I’d be remiss if I didn’t include a note — one that Sue, ever focused on our sustainability, would insist on sharing.

We’ve already begun to feel the impact of federal funding changes and shifts in the broader economy. Grants are more competitive. Donations are down from last year. Thankfully, we have a committed board of trustees, a strategic development committee and a devoted base of donors and volunteers who not only sustain our work but continually remind us why it matters. Still, we need your help. Your support ensures that when a family walks through our doors in crisis, as Sue’s once did, we’re able to meet them with the help — and hope — they need.
Working on this piece with Sue reminded me of something I’ve carried with me for years, as an adult child of an alcoholic:

Most people are doing the best they can with what they have.
It is not our job to judge.
It is our mission to help.

That’s why this past weekend felt like a small miracle. The forecast promised rain all day, but the skies held off just long enough for us to host our Family Fun Fishing Day with Kinship families: dry skies, joyful hearts, and yes, plenty of fish caught! As we packed the last car, the rain returned, like a curtain falling on a perfect scene. It was a beautiful reminder of how the smallest windows of grace can make the biggest memories.

For those who don’t know, The River Center proudly offers Kinship Navigation—a lifeline for grandparents, relatives, and non-biological caregivers raising children. Thanks to funding from the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), our very own Mandy Carter, Kinship Navigator and Community Resource Specialist, is here to guide families through the storm.

And let me tell you--she is a force.

Mandy doesn’t just know the system, she’s walked it. She’s lived it. Raised in kinship care herself, she’s faced homelessness, heartbreak, and hope—and brings that experience to the families she now serves. Her heart is firmly in this work, and her resource knowledge is second to none. She doesn’t just help, she shows up, without judgment, with a steady hand and an open heart.

And then there’s "See the ABLE, Not the LABEL,” Mandy’s groundbreaking, peer-led virtual support group for caregivers of children with disabilities or developmental differences. It's the only one of its kind in the state. Whether your child has a diagnosis or you’re navigating uncharted parenting territory, this group offers what every caregiver deserves: a place to feel seen, supported, and not alone.

Mandy has worked alongside hundreds of families—from foster parents to grandparents, from those in deep crisis to those just needing a moment to breathe. Sometimes she’s connecting them to resources. Sometimes she’s planning a joyful event. Sometimes she’s just there to listen.

But always, she’s there.

As Mandy says:

“I do this work because I am the families we serve. Their stories are my story. I carry them with me—with deep respect, care, and hope.”

That hope shows up in quiet moments. A deep breath from a tired caregiver who whispers, “Thank you—without you, I wouldn’t have known where to turn.”

The beaming smile of a child at an event created just for them.

Success isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it looks like a single spark of hope. One family feeling a little less lost. A heart held in steady hands.

That’s what we do here. That’s who Mandy is.
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And we are so grateful.