New Hampshire’s five Community Action Agencies gathered at the State House on Wednesday for their second annual Hearts Across New Hampshire event, transforming the lawn into both an outreach opportunity and a powerful visual representation of the impact community action agencies have across the Granite State.
The event was held as part of National Community Action Month, observed each May to
recognize the work community action agencies do to help individuals and families achieve
greater stability and self-sufficiency across the nation and here in New Hampshire.
The day began with Governor Kelly Ayotte issuing a proclamation recognizing May as
Community Action Month in the New Hampshire and celebrating the vital role
community action agencies play in strengthening communities and supporting residents across the state.
Following the proclamation, community action staff from New Hampshire’s five agencies
hosted outreach tables outside the State House from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. At the center of the event were more than 1,020 signs spread across the lawn, each representing 100 individuals, for a total of more than 102,000 Granite Staters assisted through community action programs and services during FY25. The display highlighted the far-reaching impact community action agencies have in communities across New Hampshire through programs focused on housing stability, fuel and energy assistance, transportation, food access, early childhood education, senior services, and more.
In addition to serving more than 102,000 residents statewide in FY25, New Hampshire’s
community action agencies collectively generated more than $152 million in revenue and
employed more than 1,000 people, further underscoring the network’s role as both a critical support system and an economic driver within the state.
“Hearts Across New Hampshire is a meaningful way to bring the impact of Community Action into a visible public space,” said Jeanne Robillard, CEO of Tri-County Community Action Program. “Seeing more than a thousand signs displayed across the State House lawn is both humbling and inspiring, and serves as a reminder that behind every number is a real person or family who needed and received support.”
New Hampshire’s five Community Action Agencies include Community Action Partnership
Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Community Action Partnership Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties, Community Action Partnership of Strafford County, Southwestern Community Services, and Tri-County Community Action Program.
For more information, or to find your local Community Action Agency, visit CAPNH.org.