15-Acre Facility Opens in early 2025; Pioneering the first-of-its-kind to serve those who served; Public Invited to Tour Site
Franklin, NH – In a sweeping and unprecedented effort to provide enhanced support for service members, veterans, and their families through access to a variety of services and recreation activities in one location, Easterseals NH will join veterans, dignitaries, and the public for a special ceremonial groundbreaking at its new Military & Veterans Campus in Franklin, NH, Wednesday, September 20th. Everyone is invited to participate in a patriotic event on the campus, featuring a special dedication program, groundbreaking, tours, light fare, and outdoor activities.
The first-of-its-kind center of excellence for veterans, military members, and their families will include affordable housing, hub of services, retreat center, and therapeutic recreation opportunities. The entire project was made possible through partnership with the State of New Hampshire and Governor Chris Sununu. Easterseals NH was awarded $23M from the State of NH through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State Fiscal Recovery Funds (SFRF) to develop the campus and its programs.
“This is truly coming together the New Hampshire way because there is no other facility within the region that has incorporated housing, hub of services, therapeutic recreation, and family supports the way this project has been developed,” explains Maureen Beauregard, President & CEO of Easterseals NH. “We are hoping the public, veteran and military community will help us bring this full vision into a reality, and we want everyone to join us on this historic day.”
Additional funds will be raised to complete the retreat center, build the multipurpose therapeutic recreation building, military-themed playground, and outdoor performance stage. Easterseals NH is committed to completing the project and collaborating with stakeholders, partners, the State of NH, and the public. This has included seeking robust and thorough feedback from the community process such as creating a Campus Taskforce, attending local and regional site visits of high-quality military and veteran programs; conducting interviews and outreach with state officials, nonprofits, and other providers; creating, distributing, and analyzing surveys sent to providers and members of the military and veteran community and more. This has been a community-wide conversation and the input is feeding the final plans for the campus.
The first phase of the project, construction of the affordable housing for veterans, hub of services, and portions of the retreat center, begins in October of 2023. The completion for the first phase of the project is in early 2025.
“New Hampshire has one of the highest per capita populations of veterans in the country, so we know the need for access to programs and housing is high,” says Andy MacWilliam, Chair of the Board of Directors for Easterseals NH. “We are confident with the support of our statewide community, the nonprofit sector, private businesses, and citizens that we can raise the remaining funds needed to fully complete this incredible campus. The Easterseals NH Military & Veterans Campus will change lives, support families, and offer a much-deserved way of saying thank you to all who have served or are serving in the military today.”
What: Groundbreaking Ceremony for Easterseals NH Military & Veterans Campus
When: Wednesday, September 20, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: 27 Holy Cross Road, Franklin, NH
All attendees are required to RSVP: Easterseals New Hampshire | Groundbreaking Ceremonial Event at our Military & Veterans Campus
About Easterseals New Hampshire
Since 1936, Easterseals New Hampshire has provided exceptional services to ensure that all people with varied abilities and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play in their communities. A leader in social services for individuals with disabilities and those underserved by traditional programs, Easterseals NH employs 1,400 individuals and provides essential services and supports to more than 19,000 people annually. Our core programs include autism, early intervention, child care, housing, camping and recreation, residential and educational services, substance use treatment, transportation, senior, employment, and community-based services. Easterseals NH is a community of care for all ages, for all abilities, for life.
For more information, visit eastersealsnh.org or follow us @EastersealsNH on Facebook.