My NH Gives Story

Last year, during NH Gives, I had a heartwarming experience - definitely in the "Top 10 Best Moments of My Career." I was managing the NH Gives campaign for Overcomers Refugee Services.

We had an ‘open house’ on the second day where people were able to stop in, learn more about the organization and have refreshments. Clement, the Executive Director, also invited clients to stop in and make donations.

I was blown away by what I witnessed. All day long, clients stopped by - on their way to work, after work, on their lunch breaks - and made cash donations. Some gave $10, some gave $20, one guy gave $2. They all were so grateful for the support that Overcomers provides, which had impacted their lives so much.

At 5:30pm, half an hour before NH Gives ended, about 30 clients had gathered, and we were counting down to 6pm. When I announced that we were *so close* to our goal, all of a sudden, clients started lining up to give us money. Clement, the bookkeeper, and I started collecting each individual’s cash in envelopes and track them. They just kept giving until about 6:30pm. The cash didn’t count toward the official NH Gives totals, and we were still just a little bit short of our goal, but those last minute cash donations from clients made an incredible impact.

As heartwarming as that experience was, the fact that so many of New Americans didn’t have bank accounts or debit/credit cards is one example of why Overcomers’ services and programs are so important. That’s why this year Overcomers is fundraising for a Computer Literacy Program - to help New Americans learn the basics of online technology, specifically the skills they need to navigate daily life: Online banking, email, online employment applications, and being involved in their children’s education, which is an issue that was made glaringly obvious when schools changed to remote learning due to COVID19.

I believe in the power of providing dignified support and empowering people to help themselves. I know that New Americans are quite capable of living happy, healthy lives here in New Hampshire, but a few barriers stand in the way. Overcomers works to help New Americans over those barriers so they can begin rebuilding their lives. This computer literacy program is an extremely important step over several barriers.

NH Gives begins at 6pm today (Tuesday 6/9) and goes until 6pm tomorrow (Wednesday 6/10).

I hope you will join me in giving our New American neighbors a helping hand so they can fully integrate and be successful, contributing members of New Hampshire society.

Please click here to learn more and give.

Thank you!