Mark Stebbins Community Center celebrates ribbon cutting

Manchester, NH A vision realized. Community leaders, donors, families and friends gathered to officially open the Mark Stebbins Community Center. In a triumph of collaboration, the years-long effort is now a beacon of hope for children and families in the city. The center is named after Mark Stebbins, who spent decades giving to community causes throughout New Hampshire.

“Mark grew up in Manchester and always focused philanthropy towards children and families in Manchester, and wanted non-profits to collaborate together,” said Sally Stebbins, wife of Mark and one of the founders and leaders of the project. “This center is the ultimate culmination of Mark’s vision. And now his legacy shifts to stories of impact starting tomorrow when the doors open to children and families. Those who pass through these doors will have access to health care, children’s after-school activities, a food pantry, community navigators, and referrals to other nonprofits, all in one place, which will impact lives for generations.”

Project leaders have raised funds needed to build and operate the facility. The Catholic Health Care Foundation of Greater Manchester surprised the attendees with an announcement that it will invest $1 million to complete the fundraising for the project.

“We have witnessed the incredible efforts of all of you involved; the network of donors and non-profits and community leaders who came together with compassion to help families here on the West Side,” said Alex Walker, president & CEO of the Catholic Health Care Foundation of Greater Manchester.

“This is day is about hope, opportunity and love,” said governor Kelly Ayotte.  “This center will make an incredible difference and will lift up children and families here in Manchester.”

“Turning this dream into reality so quickly is nothing short of super human,” said mayor Jay Ruais.  “This center represents transformative change to the West Side of Manchester. Our kids will benefit for generations to come.  It is remarkable and life-changing.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester and Amoskeag Health are anchor tenants at the Community Center.  All services will support youth and families, such as affordable, walkable after-school care, affordable health care services, community meeting space, food pantry, and programs provided by additional nonprofit partners.

“In truth, I have never met so many wonderful, like-minded, heartfelt, and inspiring people as I have met throughout this journey,” said Kris McCracken, president & CEO of Amoskeag Health.  “That is what I think makes this place so special. It wasn’t one organization. It wasn’t one person.  It wasn’t one grant, one donor, one elected official, one architect, one construction team, or one community leader. It was all of us.”

“For many years, I spoke with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester board of directors about expanding our services to this part of the city,” said Diane Fitzpatrick, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester. “I jokingly called it our “Apollo Project”—an ambitious idea that sometimes felt beyond our reach.  But meaningful change begins with the courage to think boldly.”

Thanks to a multi-million-dollar grant from senator Jeanne Shaheen’s efforts with the Community Project Funding through HUD, and the wonderful investment from Catholic Health Care Foundation of Greater Manchester, the generosity of many donors, the fundraising efforts were wildly successful.

“We have exceeded our fundraising goal of $18.5 million,” said Jeanine Tousignant, project director for the Mark Stebbins Community Center. “As a result of all of your generosity, a total of $20.7 million has been raised to fund the Mark Stebbins Community Center. This includes an endowment which will fund the operations and maintenance of the center in perpetuity.”

The board of directors is grateful to the many donors who brought the center to fruition.  Several business donors made significant gifts including M&T Bank, St. Mary’s Bank, CGI Business Solutions, Catholic Medical Center, Northeast Delta Dental, Hannaford, and Bangor Savings Bank.

“With the opening of the center on September 9, now the real positive effect begins. Mark’s vision and legacy shifts to stories of impact for generations,” said Sally Stebbins.