The Human Side of Change

​Times are hard right now, for individuals, families, and organizations like ours. Everywhere you turn, someone is feeling the strain. Here in the Monadnock region, we hear the stories every day; parents juggling too much, families navigating uncertainty, neighbors doing their best to hold it all together.

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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.​

Facing Change with Compassion and Courage

​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 Organizational Change

It’s moments like these that remind me there’s a very human side to every organizational decision. On paper, it’s called restructuring. In reality, it’s a process of letting go, honoring contributions, and trusting that the steps we take today are laying the foundation for tomorrow.

Through it all, I’ve been struck by the grace and compassion I’ve witnessed among our team. Even in the face of difficult news, there has been an undercurrent of kindness, people offering each other understanding, encouragement, and perspective. That’s the beauty of this place and this community. We may not always have easy answers, but we show up for one another, again and again.

Honoring the Past, Protecting the Future

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.

Author

Odette Butler is the Executive Director of The River Center: A Family and Community Resource Center in Peterborough, supporting area families through parenting support, tax assistance, and community connections.