When M&T Bank decided to support the Haven’s Shelter and Resource Center, it started with a recommendation from one of their local branch managers who had witnessed the organization’s impact in the Upper Valley firsthand.
“At M&T, we work closely with our branches because they’re truly the boots on the ground,” explains Kathy Schirling, Vice President and Senior Regional Program Officer at the M&T Charitable Foundation. “They see how nonprofits like the Haven are making a difference for Vermonters, and that local insight often guides where and how we choose to invest in our communities.”
For M&T, the decision came down to the Haven’s comprehensive approach. The center will integrate emergency shelter with essential support, including help with housing searches, health care, employment support, and other vital services.
“The project stood out because it doesn’t just provide safe shelter. It integrates essential resources that help individuals and families stabilize, rebuild, and thrive,” Schirling said. “By investing in this project, we’re supporting more than just a building. We’re supporting a future where every person has access to dignity, opportunity, and hope.”
What impressed M&T most was how the Haven puts its values into practice daily. Our approach to serving people experiencing homelessness aligns with M&T’s own commitment to compassion, empowerment, and community resilience.
“The Haven treats every individual as more than their circumstances,” Schirling reflected. “They meet people with compassion and practical support, creating a sense of belonging for those who may feel invisible or overwhelmed.”
This philosophy shapes everything about the new shelter, from its low-barrier design to its wraparound services.
The partnership represents more than financial support. It demonstrates what happens when organizations align their resources with their values to address urgent community needs.
“Supporting the Haven means investing in humanity,” Schirling said. “We’re proud to stand alongside them in building a stronger, more compassionate Upper Valley.”
Thank you, M&T Bank, for your role in changing the lives of many individuals in the Upper Valley.
