Gateways Community Services

Shaheen secures $1.5M for Beard Street property By?Christopher Roberson - Staff Writer?| Aug 15, 2024 Gateways Community Services is planning to demolish its group home at 4 Beard St., which has been plagued by plethora of repair issues, and replace it with a nine-unit apartment building. NASHUA – U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) recently awarded $1.5 million to Gateways Community Services to construct a nine-unit apartment building at 4 Beard St. Sandy Pelletier, president and CEO of Gateways, said the organization has owned the parcel for the past 23 years. However, at 124 years old, the group home is no longer suitable for Gateways’ clients. “This property requires significant maintenance and upgrades that are not financially viable even in this real estate market,”?said Pelletier. Therefore, demolishing the current structure and constructing an apartment building has become the best option. Pelletier said the total cost is estimated at $4 million. She also said Gateways is partnering with the city on this project. “The city shares the same vision as Gateways in providing a mechanism to revitalize the downtown area with new housing,”?said Pelletier.?“Gateways’ Board of Directors and leadership are excited by this opportunity and committed to raising the funds to make this low-income housing project for individuals with developmental disabilities a reality.” In addition, Pelletier called attention to the hostile housing market. “Rental prices have skyrocketed,”?she said.?“It is not surprising that with single-family prices rising and home interest rates above seven percent for the first time in 20 years, apartment prices have also significantly risen.” According to apartments.com, Nashua has become?“one of the most expensive cities in the U.S.”?A one-bedroom apartment now costs an average of $1,925 per month, an increase of four-and-a-half percent over the past year. It is also 25 percent higher than the national average of $1,536 per month. The $1.5 million from Shaheen is part of a $100.4 million package which will be used to fund 85 projects throughout the Granite State. “By investing in local projects across New Hampshire, we can support programs that help Granite Staters afford housing, access child care, get workforce development training, attain the health care they need and so much more,”?said Shaheen.?“As the annual government funding legislation moves into its next stage, I’ll keep fighting for these direct investments in our state and to ensure New Hampshire gets its fair share of resources.”

We are proud to support a great partnership between Jersey Mike’s and the Doug Flutie, Jr Foundation for Autism.

We were honored to celebrate Sandy Pelletier, CEO/President, as Non-Profit Leader of the Year during last week's awards ceremony with Business NH Magazine. Congratulations to all the winners! Meredith Village Savings BankEasterseals New Hampshire HEALTHFIRST Family Care Center, Inc., Mainstay Technologies, Mascoma Bank, Monadnock Food Co-op, Outdoor Pride Landscape & Snow Management core learning methods.

Thank you, Business NH Magazine! Sandra Pelletier our President and CEO of Gateways, was named the 2024 Nonprofit Leader of the Year. She is only the second person to earn this award. Sandy has dedicated her career to helping people with developmental disabilities live fulfilling lives in their communities. She has played a pivotal role in shaping NH's service system for individuals with developmental disabilities. We serve nearly 3,000 individuals annually. Sandy’s determination to find community partners to deliver new and better ways to serve Gateway’s clients and attract workers to meet growing needs continues today. Gateways has joined forces with the city of Nashua and NeighborWorks Southern NH to address the housing shortage for individuals with developmental disabilities. We are collaborating on demolishing a Gateways-owned property in need of extensive renovations and reconstruct it as an eight-to-10-unit apartment building. It will not only provide affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities, but it will also provide housing for employees who will live on site and provide support services. New Hampshire Charitable Foundation

This is a great article that ran in the Union Leader yesterday. It is an excellent summary of our history and current state of affairs. https://lnkd.in/eCC66ksR

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of a dear member of our Gateways Board of Directors and Family Support Council, Rich Pietravalle. Rich was a passionate and dedicated ally and friend to Gateways. He was a staunch advocate for his son Alex and the developmental disabilities system, serving as a volunteer on Gateways Family Support Council and Board of Directors for more than 30 years and was the Board Chair from 2011-2015. His insight as a parent and ability to understand organizational structure and state policy guided us through many obstacles and changes in our system. His absence will be deeply felt across our organization.

Gateways clients and friends, Matthew and Nick, participate in Unified Basketball at their respective high schools, Nashua North and South. Unified Sports allows individuals with and without disabilities to play as a team against other unified teams and learn the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, inclusion, and hard work. This picture captures the camaraderie when they played against each other! #unifiedsports #camaraderie #nashuanorthhighschool #nashuasouthhighschool #nashuasouthathletics #nashuanorthathletics

Congratulations on your promotion Jillian Alexis!

I hear people complaining about their employment all the time. Gateways is just a different workplace. Everyone loving what they do, working and believing in the same mission, and a true caring culture.

This is what genuine camaraderie looks like. The staff at our Adult Day Center have a mutual trust and friendship among each other. This spontaneous group hug came after each staff member took turns sharing positive statements about one another during the holiday party.