Spring Newsletter 2023
LISTEN
LISTEN’s mission is to provide services and support to meet the critical needs of Upper Valley individuals and families.
LISTEN Spring Newsletter
LISTEN Community Services has been faithfully serving Upper Valley residents with impactful programs and services for over 50 years, and I am pleased and honored to serve as the new Executive Director. I believe deeply in the organization’s mission: to provide services and support to meet critical needs of Upper Valley individuals and families. As a non-profit social enterprise, LISTEN earns revenue through thrift stores and the generous donations of individuals, families, foundations, and friends to address critical social needs.
I have had the good fortune to work at several YMCAs and non-profit social enterprises. The common denominator is caring, kind and generous individuals with an altruistic desire to positively impact their community. LISTEN personifies this belief as individuals throughout the Upper Valley passionately make our community stronger. The last two words of the YMCA’s mission is “for all.” Those powerful words indicate that no one is excluded. However, being open “to all” is different from embracing and welcoming “all.” This is accomplished in big and small ways, and I look forward to working with all the dedicated staff and volunteers to embrace and welcome everyone to LISTEN.
Achieving extraordinary results requires choosing what matters most and giving it all the necessary time it demands. This requires breaking down goals into small tasks and taking the first step and then another. I am committed to taking these steps and look forward to walking with our staff and the entire community to identify what matters most, and collectively working together to make this world a better place.
Rob Roy McGregor
Executive Director
For 33 years, LISTEN has provided need-based scholarships for kids in the Upper Valley to attend regional summer camps. We work with community partners and 40-50 camps to match them with a meaningful experience. In 2022, donations from our community meant that 163 kids were able to make lifetime memories at camp!
Can you join us this year, and make a gift to support another summer full of exploration and growth? You can help today—and the Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation will double your gift up to a total of $20,000 to provide financial assistance for campers in 2023.
“Angel’s time at Camp Downer exposed her to new friends and summer activities she would not have otherwise,” shares her grandmother in South Strafford. “She just loves it there! Given my small income, I am thankful to all who help make this possible. She is well cared for and having fun.”
Thank you, Upper Valley neighbors, for making this summer another magical one for local kids by donating today.
With a grateful heart, we celebrate LISTEN’s volunteers!
Thank you to our amazing Upper Valley friends who offer your time, talent, voice, and resources to help neighbors facing hardship. Every day, you make a difference by generously supporting individuals and families in their efforts to move forward, rebuild, and thrive.
In 2023, LISTEN expects about 900 volunteers to donate over 13,500 hours across our thrift stores, food pantry, dining hall, and more.
At LISTEN, we see the power of our community coming together to help each other.
The good news is that LISTEN is here to help—because of the generosity of people like you.
Are you interested in finding meaning and reward by serving others?
Meet Tia James, a volunteer at LISTEN’s community dinner hall
Hi, Tia! Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a recently retired teacher, having taught all ages. Over the years I noticed that people were so busy working and raising families that volunteer services often suffered. As a retiree, I was eager to get involved in opportunities that support children or adults in need in our community.
What inspired you to volunteer at the LISTEN?
I knew that LISTEN provided a host of services, and I hoped there might be a need with dinners, especially during COVID. When I learned that Larry [the coordinator] was fixing many meals alone without a cook team, I was happy to prepare salads and desserts, and whatever else was needed to box meals for 100 people. Now I help out a couple of evenings a week.
What brings you to come back to this opportunity to make a difference?
The atmosphere Larry has created with the workers, volunteers, and dinner guests is welcoming and safe, often joyful and fun.
Because of the community dinner program, LISTEN’s guests receive a hot, nutritious meal 5 nights a week and an opportunity to be part of a supportive, social community. The dinner program provides a safety net for all, and certainly those at risk in the community, whether they are dealing with mental health issues, illness, addiction, or homelessness. While a hot meal can’t fix everything, the LISTEN community can get their eyes on those who might need or benefit from further services.
Is there anything else that you would like to share?
I think what struck me most is how thankful and generous the guests are. They and the volunteers look out for each other, ready to support those who might be going through a hard time. I’ve observed people who have so little and yet give so much. It’s humbling. The program affords an opportunity for that kind of community caring.
Building a Sustainable Future Together
Since 1972, LISTEN has been thinking “secondhand first” and changing the way the Upper Valley area shops and dresses. We are proud to lead the region’s resale revolution and give new life to millions of used clothes! Today, LISTEN features three convenient shops in NH and VT:
- 387 Miracle Mile, Lebanon, NH 03766
- 236 US Rte 4, Canaan, NH 03741
- 42 Maple St., White River Junction, VT 05001
When you shop or donate to LISTEN, you help to decrease the number of new garments that need to be created. This means a visit to LISTEN reduces waste, protects human, plant and animal life, and creates funds to help our neighbors with basic needs such as food, housing, and heating assistance.
Together, we are investing in each other and protecting our environment. Thoughtful consumption and less pollution is a win-win for all of us, right?
Because second hand is smart
When clothing is buried in landfills, it releases dangerous greenhouse gases as it decomposes
Each year 11.2 million pounds of clothing end up in landfills and incinerators
One new garment takes 77 gallons of water to produce
Reusing clothing decreases the need for fossil fuel, water, fertilizer, and pesticides to produce wearable fibers
Tips for donating your clothing at LISTEN
- Clothing should be in clean, reusable, and resalable condition
- Please do not bring articles to us on hangers
- Separating household items such as glassware and toys from clothing saves time for our staff to process donations
- Kindly protect our staff from injuries by not bundling things into large, heavy boxes and bags
See you at LISTEN’s special thrifting events in 2023!
May 5th
Mother’s Day & Prom Sale
June 9th
Father’s Day & Graduation Sale
June 23rd
Fourth of July Sale
July 14th
Customer Appreciation Day
August 4th
Back to School Sale
September 1st
Fall Items Start
September 8th
Halloween Sale
October 13th
Winter Sport Sale
November 10th
Christmas Sale
$50
provides a week of groceries from LISTEN’s pantry for two seniors facing hunger
$100
provides scholarship assistance for a local child to thrive at summer camp
$250
provides a hot entree for 100 dinner guests at the community dinner hall
$1,000
provides a summer camp scholarship for four local children
$2,500
helps prevent eviction for five families facing financial hardship
How can you help keep your neighbors safe, fed, and housed?
LISTEN’s service coordinators speak every day with community members who face obstacles such as job loss, illness, or other
unexpected hardship. LISTEN connects them with a variety of resources to make sure that those who are the most vulnerable —seniors, families, people working two or even three jobs— avoid the downward spiral that can accompany this distress.
LISTEN’s mission is funded by individual contributions and grants, and supplemented by the sale of donated goods in our stores. When you give or shop with us, the proceeds provide the resources to offer these services.
You can help local kids attend camp this summer with a need-based scholarship—and the Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation will
double your gift up to a total of $20,000!
Simply send your gift in the enclosed envelope or give online and indicate your gift is to support camp scholarships.
There is a reason that your neighbors receive vital help from LISTEN: caring and committed people like you.
MEDIA CONTACT
Organization Name:
LISTEN Community Services
Email:
Send Email
Phone:
(603)448-4553
Address:
60 Hanover St
City:
Lebanon
State:
New Hampshire
Country:
United States
Website: www.listencs.org
