The Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) employs a multifaceted strategy to
its work of improving communities across New Hampshire. Along with funding and technical assistance delivered to projects that expand housing, employment and childcare opportunities, CDFA is committed to strengthening the nonprofit sector to enhance community health and resiliency.
Its work with the Crisis Center of Central New Hampshire (CCCNH) in Concord exemplifies the value CDFA places on ensuring the vibrancy of nonprofit organizations, which positively impact individuals and make communities destinations for living, working and playing.
Established in 1978, CCCNH serves survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking. The majority of its clients – 76 percent – are low- to moderate-income individuals. CCCNH supports them with a wide range of services, from a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter and housing, to court accompaniment and support groups. In addition, the organization seeks to eliminate the occurrence of violence and abuse through education, training and outreach to community partners, counseling professionals and the public.
Headquarters help
After decades in operation, CCCNH realized the need to relocate and expand its physical space in order to successfully advance its mission. It partnered with the City of Concord to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to purchase and renovate its new headquarters. Deeming the project valuable to the community-at-large, the $500,000 in funds were awarded by CDFA to the City of Concord, on behalf of CCCNH.
The property was acquired in June of 2023 and renovation work began in earnest. Attention was focused on making spaces larger and more flexible to serve clients, staff and partners. In particular, a wheelchair lift was installed to ensure ADA-accessibility, security enhancements were made property-wide, an additional bathroom was constructed on the second floor and separate offices were created to promote meeting privacy and confidentiality.
The work was completed in a few short months, and CCCNH kicked off its operations at its new location in November 2023 with a celebratory ribbon cutting. The property empowers CCCNH to hold larger community trainings, workshops and support groups on-site, and increase the number of community members they are able to serve.
“As a result of CDFA support, we have been able to create a safe, secure and accessible space to serve survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Merrimack County,” explains Jessica Vaughn-Martin, MSW, Executive Director, CCCNH. “We are visible to the community, accessible using all forms of transportation, and provide a trauma-informed space where survivors can feel comfortable, supported and secure as they start their healing journey.”
Collaboration nets results
The City of Concord was a valuable partner to CDFA and CCCNH throughout the process, which assisted with streamlining and accelerating the project’s successful completion. The City has successfully applied for and received more than $25 million in CDBG funds since the program’s inception in 1974.
“CDBG is an essential component of furthering the City’s community development goals and objectives, and the Crisis Center project is a wonderful example of how leveraging federal funds can make important projects happen,” says Timothy J. Thompson, AICP, Assistant Director of Community Development, City of Concord. “The CCCNH project has improved their ability to serve their 1,500 clients, the majority of which are low- to moderate-income and dealing with significant challenges and needs, and has proved to be an effective re-use of an 1800s-era building in the City’s downtown core.”
The CCCNH headquarters project is central to CDFA’s mission and vision. There are many longstanding ripple effects that benefit community resiliency from infusing resources into nonprofit organizations like this one.
To learn more about CCCNH, visit cccnh.org.
