Blog - Upper Valley Haven

Between Songs: How Jim Yeager Supports the Haven

March 18, 2026 Donor Stories, Homepage, Stories

Jim Yeager does something many performers don't. He tells the room where their tips are going. He's been playing music in the Upper Valley for years. Bars, restaurants, the kinds of rooms where people come to unwind after a long [...]

Turning Old Jewelry into Lasting Support: Designer Gold’s Melting Project

March 9, 2026 Donor Stories, Homepage, Stories

Paul Gross and Peggy Sadler of Designer Gold

On a counter inside Designer Gold in Hanover sits a simple jar. Inside it are broken chains, single earrings, worn class rings, tiny charms, and scraps of gold that would otherwise sit forgotten in a jewelry box drawer. “Everybody seems [...]

Meet Doug Maynard, Community Food Market Volunteer

March 18, 2026 Homepage, Stories, Volunteer Stories, Volunteering

On a typical Tuesday or Thursday afternoon, Doug Maynard, an Upper Valley Haven volunteer, can be found in the Community Food Market, greeting guests, stocking shelves, and sharing a laugh when the moment feels right. He has been volunteering at [...]

Consistency in the Kitchen

February 23, 2026 Homepage, Stories

Before the seasonal shelter opens each evening, the cooking is already underway. Dan, our cook for the Lebanon Seasonal Shelter, arrives early. “I get going pretty early in the morning. Arrive around 7:30. Start firing up the ovens, pulling food [...]

What Volunteering Taught Me

March 18, 2026 Homepage, Stories, Volunteer Stories

"My limited exposure all these years to the homeless population would be someone living in a tent in the woods somewhere. I was wrong."- Chris Ng, volunteer at the Lebanon Seasonal Shelter Before Chris Ng volunteered at the Lebanon Seasonal [...]

A Year-End Message from Executive Director Will Towne

December 29, 2025 Articles, Homepage, News

Dear Friends, Let me begin by saying that this past month—my first at The Haven—has been one of the most impactful months of my life. I have been truly blown away by the strength of this community and the generosity [...]

Susan Almy: A Lifelong Commitment to Housing and Community

March 18, 2026 Donor Stories, Stories

Susan Almy smiling in front of a glass block window.

For nearly three decades, Susan Almy has been a steady supporter of the Upper Valley Haven. Her path to the Haven began in the 1990s, when she returned to New Hampshire after a 25-year career in Africa and Latin America. [...]

A Farewell Message from the Executive Director

December 29, 2025 Articles, News

After seven years as the Executive Director of the Upper Valley Haven, this is my last note to you. I can only begin to share my gratitude to everyone who is a friend of the Haven and for everything you [...]

The Wright-Hager Foundation: Continuing a Legacy of Giving

March 18, 2026 Donor Stories, Stories

For the Wright-Hager Foundation, generosity is both a family tradition and a shared responsibility. “Our family believes in the power of community and the importance of giving back,” says Sue West, President of the Foundation. “We aim to support meaningful [...]

Julie’s Story: Finding Support and Creativity at the Haven

September 29, 2025 Homepage, Stories

“My name is Julie. I'm a mom and aspiring personal chef. I love my kids very much.” Julie lives in Claremont with her children and works with the NHEP employment program, 30 hours a week. Her significant other works 80–100 [...]

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