Community Engagement

The mission of our Community Engagement Initiative is to remove barriers for all members of our community to be engaged in the community. Our vision is an inclusive community that recognizes the contributions of all of our citizens regardless of age, ethnicity or abilities. Our core value is that the community is weakened when we push people aside, and conversely, strengthened when we include everyone in our day to day life.

The key attribute to this initiative is the following: Access to the community for populations at risk of disenfranchisement. Currently, much of our efforts have been invested on our elderly population. We expect an even greater demand as our Lakes Region demography continues to age. And we can expect an increase in focus on newcomers to the area from abroad, as it is critical to assimilate these new residents into the community. Below is our current two-year commitment to this initiative:

Access to the Community Meals on Wheels (CAP): $69,000 Rural Transportation System (CAP): $22,500 Senior Centers (CAP): $45,000 Senior Companion Program (CAP): $21,000 Friends Foster Granparent Program: $15,000 Senior Transportation: $15,000 The Fixit Program: $15,000 Community Contact (Tri-CAP): $30,000

2-1-1

2-1-1 is an easy to remember phone number that people can dial to connect to health and human services. By dialing 2-1-1 people will be connected with a trained information and referral specialist who can provide them with the information they need to get help or give help. 2-1-1 can be used for every-day needs or in a time of crisis.

The 2-1-1 NH Information and Referral Service began pilot operations in November, 2007. Residents in Belknap, Merrimack and Hillsborough counties can contact 2-1-1 NH toll-free by dialing 1-866-444-4211.

2-1-1 NH staff anticipates that residents in these counties will be able to connect to 2-1-1 NH by dialing 2-1-1 from landlines by February 2008. A website with searchable database is planned for early 2008. Statewide access, via the 2-1-1 dialing code from landlines and cell phones, is expected to be complete by the end of 2008.

2-1-1 is a United Way Ways of New Hampshire initiative, delivered to you in partnership with The State of New Hampshire and Public Service of New Hampshire. The initiative is also supported in part by Exeter Hospital, Citizens Bank, The Endowment for Health and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.

UpStream

Our UpStream network continues to connect citizens on a daily basis, developing a powerful and diverse group of engaged people who seek to solve issues and engage people. The UpStream network now exceeds 300 registered contributors and has developed into a very effective systemic tool for community engagement.  For more information on UpStream, click here.