Waiting is exhausting.
Waiting for a safe place to call home.
Waiting for affordable childcare.
Waiting for the support that makes it possible to build a more stable future.
For families experiencing homelessness, every day spent waiting for safe housing and other supportive services is another day between the uncertainty of today and the hope of a more secure tomorrow.
On October 1, more than 250 guests gathered at the Sheraton Nashua for Marguerite’s Place’s annual gala, The Power of Home, united by a shared goal: helping families bridge that gap and build a path toward lasting stability.
Understanding the Wait
Throughout cocktail hour, mission signs and impact statistics invited guests to consider the many barriers families face when trying to access safe housing, affordable childcare, and connections to supportive services.
For example, the median income for a single mother is $48,086, but it would cost her $30,000 for childcare for two children and $25,200 for a 2-bedroom apartment per year. Without accounting for any other expenses like food, clothing, transportation, etc., she would have already more than maxed out her entire salary.
These are the impossible barriers to success that families right here in NH are battling every day.
At Marguerite’s Place, we believe families shouldn’t have to navigate these challenges alone. A safe home is the beginning. Access to childcare, individualized case management, mental health support, and a community that believes in their potential help turn the foundation of a safe home into long-term, generational stability and success.
Aleah’s Story: One Step at a Time
Our featured speaker, Aleah, shared her journey of breaking cycles of poverty, leaving unsafe relationships, and building a better future for herself and her children.
For Aleah, that journey was about more than changing her own circumstances. It was about creating a different future for her children. Her mother had wished a program like Marguerite’s Place existed when she was raising her family, but it didn’t. Aleah carried that reality with her, determined that the challenges passed down through generations would not define her children’s futures. She was determined to make the cycle end with her.
Aleah’s perseverance was best exhibited in her story about a simple chart on her refrigerator. Created with her case manager, it turned overwhelming debt into a manageable plan: pay down three of five credit cards, purchase a new car, and pay off her school debt so she could enroll in a bachelor’s degree program.
With a plan, consistent support, and determination, Aleah began checking off those goals one by one. Today, she continues to earn a place on the honor roll as she works toward her degree.
“For me, the support meant I could stop living in survival mode. I have peace now. I’m not constantly stressed about where we’re going to live or whether I can afford the next thing my kids need. I’m present, and that is making all the difference for my children,” she shared with attendees.
This is what makes the Marguerite’s Place approach different. Our role isn’t to make decisions for families or define success for them. It’s to work alongside them, helping them identify their goals, navigate obstacles, and build on their own strengths.
Aleah is doing more than building a better future for herself. She is helping create a different future for her children. And that is how cycles change: one family, one goal, and one generation at a time.
A Night of Generosity and Possibility
The generosity in the room was nothing short of extraordinary.
Together, guests raised more than $100,000 during Fund-a-Need, increasing by nearly 40% over last year and marking a record-setting evening for Marguerite’s Place.
The live auction added its own excitement, featuring trips to Nashville and Portugal, along with an ultimate sports package generously donated by Marguerite’s Place Board Chair, Brian Hall and longtime donor and friend, Robin Adams.
We are especially grateful to Refinished Bath Solutions for serving as our first Presenting Sponsor, as well as to every sponsor, donor, volunteer, and guest who helped make the evening such a success.
The Power of Community
For more than 30 years, Marguerite’s Place has partnered with families as they work toward stability, healing, and independence. Throughout our history, we have supported more than 800 families with our comprehensive approach to family support.
This work happens because community partners share their expertise and resources, volunteers show up every day, and donors believe that every family deserves the opportunity for a brighter future.
To everyone who joined us for The Power of Home, thank you!
Stay Connected
Couldn’t join us, or want to learn more about supporting families throughout the year? We’d love to connect.
Email [email protected] to learn more about all the programs, partnerships, and opportunities that make this work possible.
