The New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness (NHCEH) Board of Directors has appointed Jennifer Chisholm, LICSW, MLADC, of Manchester, NH, as the organization’s next executive director. Chisholm brings more than 20 years of experience working in the fields of homelessness, mental health, and substance use disorder services in Manchester.

“We are thrilled that Jennifer Chisholm will be leading the organization during this pivotal time in our history,” said Gretchen Bean, NHCEH Board President. “Jennifer brings immense experience with, and deep commitment to, efforts to prevent homelessness in New Hampshire. Her passion and vitality for the work is exactly what the Coalition was looking for in its next leader.”

Chisholm’s extensive experience in the field of homeless services includes nearly a decade on the staff of Healthcare for the Homeless in Manchester, serving in roles of clinician and Behavioral Health and Outreach Coordinator from 2014 to early 2023.  Her experience also includes more than a decade on the staff of Child and Family Services, now known as Waypoint, serving in roles that included Case Manager at a Transitional Living Program for young adults, and as an Outpatient/Intensive Outpatient Program Clinician for adolescents with substance use disorders. Since 2016, Chisholm has served as an Adjunct Professor in the Graduate School of Social Work for the University of New Hampshire, where she teaches Social Work Practice and Field Seminar classes.

“I am deeply honored to be invited to work with NHCEH as its next executive director,” said Jennifer Chisholm. “Homelessness is a critical issue in New Hampshire. I look forward to continuing to build the Coalition’s collaborative efforts across the state to increase awareness, advocate for change, dismantle barriers, and raise the voices of people with lived experience in developing solutions.”

Founded in 1990, the New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to eliminate the causes of homelessness through research, education, and advocacy. NHCEH helps to organize leaders in the state to research solutions, to educate providers on best practices, and to empower people to advocate on behalf of those who are homeless. NHCEH serves as a resource for information related to the root causes of homelessness and solutions to help prevent and end homelessness in New Hampshire. In all of its work, NHCEH emphasizes the importance of enhancing research, education, and advocacy efforts to include those with lived experience. Two of NHCEH’s signature initiatives are its Granite Leaders program, which provides leadership and advocacy training and support for individuals with lived experience, and its annual report on The State of Homelessness in New Hampshire.

The NHCEH Board Search Committee, led by Board President Gretchen Bean, conducted a broad state and regional search for the organization’s new executive director. The committee sought a leader with expertise in the field of homeless services to bring both an understanding of how the current system works and a renewed vision to lead efforts for lasting change.

“We are excited to have Jennifer’s depth of knowledge, experience, and deep passion for NHCEH’s mission at the helm to move this important work forward,” said NHCEH Board President Gretchen Bean. “The Coalition is well positioned under Jennifer’s leadership to be a strong, independent voice in support of efforts to prevent homelessness and to ensure supports are available to make the experience rare, brief, and one-time in the quest to end homelessness in New Hampshire.”

Chisholm has a Master of Social Work from the University of New Hampshire and a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Society and U.S. History from the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY. She served on the NHCEH Board of Directors from 2021 to 2023.

Jennifer Chisholm will assume the role of executive director on November 29th.