NH Gives with MATS

Together, we can build a community in which everyone finds a home.

Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter (MATS) Responds to Urgent COVID19 Need with Shelter and Support for Families in Transition, Joining NH Gives in Day of Giving and Unity

As unsettling as the past few months have been for everyone, most of us have a secure home in which to shelter with our families. In fact, the very idea of “home” has become a potent symbol of security as we practice social distancing, work from home, and home-school our children. But in our community, not everyone has a home, and the now-urgent problem of homelessness remains persistent in the Monadnock Region

MATS is responding to meet the needs of adults and their children who are homeless during this pandemic. Amidst the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, MATS is addressing several urgent needs:

helping adults and their children understand what they can do to keep everyone safe,
making sure everyone has enough food,
ensuring the children receive their education,
ensuring the adults understand how to apply for Care Act benefits
connecting people in the community with resources

At a time when we are all experiencing the pandemic, generosity is what brings people of all races, faiths, and political views together. Generosity gives everyone power to make a positive change in the lives of others and is a fundamental value anyone can act on. It’s a day for everyone to stand together and give back in all ways, no matter who or where we are.

Prior to the pandemic all of the adults at the transitional shelter were employed or planning to complete their education. Most were on wait lists for subsidized housing. All the children were enrolled in school or daycare. In addition, Our program manager provided weekly offsite community outreach to help connect people with resources.

At this time all of our guests are out of work. All of the housing lists are on hold.

In early March all guests and our program manager were quarantined for 2 weeks. During that time we continued to provide all the support that was needed. Thankfully, everyone has remained healthy. The MATS program manager worked 24/7 to make sure that everyone had enough food – collaborating with the Peterborough Food Pantry, Conval’s End 68 Hours Hunger program – providing gift cards to local grocery stores. She collaborated with school districts to make sure children had the tools they needed for learning at home. She helped each of the guests apply for Care Act benefits, a daunting experience for most people. She assisted community residents who called frantic with questions about applying for these benefits.

What now? MATS is doing what we’ve done for the past 30 years– provide safe and comfortable housing for people who are homeless. Provide connections to resources such as job training, childcare and counseling so that when they leave MATS, they have the day-to-day skills and support they need to avoid recurring homelessness. Our program manager is our hero. She ensures that MATS will be here for 30 years and beyond.

Some facts about homelessness:

the average age of someone who is homeless is 9;
median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in NH is $1,157 per month;
a person needs to earn $20.50 an hour to afford that rent.

MATS STATS for 2019

MATS has assisted 8 families with housing in 2019
9 adults and 17 children

Children’s ages:
Under 6 yrs old: 6 children
6 to 12 yrs old: 10 children
13 plus: 1 child (young adult)

In 2019 our case manger assisted 16 previous guests / families with finding resources to help them maintain their current housing.

MATS had over 265 phone inquiries from people / families looking for housing and / or housing resources.
We received 43 applications from people looking for shelter.
Including phone inquiries from agencies / people assisting homeless individuals / families.
Agencies included: town welfare, family members, therapist, counselors, school social workers or guidance counselors, drug and alcohol programs, hospitals plus others.

At The River Center our program manager had 130 contacts with 45 people.
At The River Center we assist people with: Completing MATS applications. Completing Section 8 and affordable housing applications. Finding resources to assist with maintaining their housing. Writing letters.

About Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter (MATS)

Founded in 1991 by concerned citizens, the Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter (MATS) is a transitional shelter for individuals and families who are homeless. They are run by volunteers from local communities and a part-time Program Manager. MATS serves the towns of the Greater Monadnock Region, including Antrim, Bennington, New Ipswich, Jaffrey, Keene, Peterborough, and Sharon. They also accept referrals from other shelters throughout the tri-state area.
Their safe, temporary shelter consists of 4 apartments. Through their Program Manager and board members they also offer our guests assistance with finding agency and community resources and with transportation, health, childcare, legal, housing and employment issues, as well as guidance in setting and reaching goals.
Every MATS guest that completed the program in 2019 has moved on to permanent housing.
The Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter’s mission is to provide transitional housing, support and referral services to people who are homeless; to educate our community on issues of homelessness; and to advocate for solutions.

Your contribution makes it possible for MATS to help our guests survive the critical weeks and months until they can reestablish an independent living situation and return to self-sufficiency.
Together, we can build a community in which everyone finds a home.