Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • GDPR
  • Create a Free Account
Return to PRWeb homepage
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Congressional & Presidential Campaigns
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • U.S. State Policy
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PRWeb provides efficient communication tools to continuously engage with target audiences across multiple online channels
  • Create a Free Account
    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us


      11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday

  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR

NH Volunteer Group Completes $300,000 Community-Funded Makeover of Facility for Adults with Disabilities
  • USA - English


News provided by

Montagne Communications

May 23, 2014, 09:00 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX


For an all-volunteer group with no funding, Building on Hope relied solely on the goodwill and generosity of Granite State businesses.

Post this

Amherst, NH (PRWEB) May 23, 2014 -- Building on Hope, a New Hampshire-based volunteer organization that collaborates with builders, architects, designers, and suppliers to provide physical improvements to non-profit facilities, recently completed 10-plus days of around-the-clock work on a $300,000 community-funded renovation of Opportunity Networks facility in Amherst, NH. Nearly 200 volunteers and dozens of companies collaborated in the effort to transform the nonprofit that serves young adults and adults who live with acquired and developmental disabilities. The transformation of Opportunity Networks was the third project undertaken by the all-volunteer group in the past five years. Building on Hope previously completed $500,000 in renovations for Easter Seals NH and Girls Inc.

“Building on Hope’s mantra ‘Many Hands Make Light Work’ was on full display throughout the past week of work and over the many months of planning to make this day become a reality,” said Jonathan Halle, co-chair of Building on Hope. “For an all-volunteer group with no funding, Building on Hope relied solely on the goodwill and generosity of Granite State businesses. The outpouring of support is indicative of the spirit of the people of New Hampshire and reminds us how good people truly are.”

Every two years, Building on Hope takes on a new challenge, rallying volunteers, gathering resources and focusing attention on a projected selected for its potential to create enduring positive change for the immediate community and the state as a whole.

Past projects include the renovation and dedication of the Krol House – a 70-year-old Easter Seals NH intensive residential treatment facility for young boys – and the complete overhaul of Girls Inc. facility in Manchester that provides services, programs and meals of 100 at-risk girls each day. The combined cost of those renovations topped $500,000.

Opportunity Networks is a 34-year-old non-profit organization that provides genuine vocational opportunities and social activities that promote life enhancing skills for disabled adults in the Southern New Hampshire. Over the past year Opportunity Networks provided services to 101 handicapped individuals ranging in age from their early 20’s to late 60’s.

With little more than basic updating and maintenance in the past 30 years, the 6,000 square foot, 11 Caldwell Drive location in Amherst was is in desperate need of repair. Over the past several months, Building on Hope organized volunteers and solicited donations from dozens of businesses to help with the renovation. The Extreme Makeover-type renovation was completed and over 200 guests celebrated a reveal day on May 18th.

“Building on Hope has allowed dreams to come true for many who would otherwise not be awarded this opportunity,” said Rocky Morelli, executive director of Opportunity Networks. “We now have the highest quality resources available to enhance the lives of individuals faced with the daily challenges of having a disability. This new facility will allow us to work with each individual and their families to customize a dynamic and productive routine based on their personal needs. Our new space addresses everything we are trying to accomplish and so much more – something that is not very common in the human service world.”

A total of 12 rooms were renovated. Rooms vary by purpose, from promoting healthy and independent living skills, employment and learning, to pursuit of interests, and general needs. Volunteers aided in the creation of a movement room, a tech theater, creative center, administrative offices, function and conference rooms, kitchen, cafeteria, and more.

Examples of the room transformations include:
Snoezelen Room – a blend of Dutch words “to explore” and “to relax,” this room provides non-directive therapy where the client, not the therapist, controls the environment and can be staged to provide a multi-sensory experience or single sensory focus, simply by adapting the lighting, atmosphere, sounds and textures to the specific needs of the client at the time of use. By using bubble tubes, lounge seating, projected images, weighted blankets, lighting and other multi-sensory objects, this space was designed for the client to explore and interact.

Creative Room – a bright and cheerful multifunctional room was designed so many creative activities could take place at the same time. A colorful wall of living plants brings beauty to the room while teaching the importance of maintaining and caring for things in nature. A potter’s wheel is used for both therapeutic and rehabilitation facilities. With the use of special clay, beautiful pottery pieces are able to be made and baked in a special oven.

Multi-Sensory Room / Technology Theatre – this room was designed for clients with varying degrees of developmental and acquired disabilities by stimulating all the senses by providing individual and group programming. The technology becomes a tool for teaching the principles of cause and effect, giving invigorating, calming and realistic experiences which bring alive the experience of theatre. As a multi-function space, the large theatre allows for Opportunity Networks to develop new programming, impact communications, and provide a stage for self-expression.

Renovations will also allowed for expanded hours to further support families, provide after school programming and high school transition services.

With a third project finished, hundreds of engaged volunteers and $800,000 in community-funded renovations, Building on Hope is setting its sights on the next project that will help improve the lives of people living in New Hampshire.

Visit http://www.buildingonhope.org to learn more about the organization, donate or sign up to volunteer.

More photos are available at http://www.facebook.com/buildingonhope.

About Building on Hope
Building on Hope is a community organization of volunteers who work with builders, architects and designers to provide physical improvements to facilities associated with non-profit service groups. Building on Hope was formed in 2009 and consists of the following individuals: Co-chairs Jonathan Halle, Warrenstreet Architects & Karen Van Der Beken, Easter Seals NH; Rick Broussard, New Hampshire Magazine; Emily Shakra, Nick Shakra Real Estate; E.J. Powers, Montagne Communications; Sam Maltais, SilverTech; June Vailas; Melissa West, LKM Design; Lorrie Determann, LTD Company; Tom Farrell, Easter Seals NH; Greg Rehm, Liberty Hill Construction; Cathy Duffy Cullity, Girls Inc; Jon Krygeris, Eckman Construction; Craig Liffner, Sullivan Construction, Kyle Barker, Barker Architects; Dave Waldman, B2B Video; and Jeff Feingold, New Hampshire Business Review, and Sue Bee.

To learn more about Building on Hope, please visit http://www.buildingonhope.org.

About Opportunity Networks
Opportunity Networks is a Non-Profit Organization serving Souhegan Valley and Greater Nashua young adults and adult residents who live with acquired and developmental disabilities. Opportunity Networks was founded in 1979 and its administrative office is led by: Executive Director, Rocky Morelli; Associate Director, George Barrett; Melissa Boyle, and Ann Goci. To learn more about Opportunity Networks please visit http://www.opportunitynetworks.org.

E.J. Powers, Montagne Communications, http://www.buildingonhope.com, +1 (603) 644-3200 Ext: 11, [email protected]

Modal title

Contact PRWeb

  • 11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday
  • Contact Us

About PRWeb

  • About PRWeb
  • Partners
  • Partnership Programs
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Resources

Why PRWeb

  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing

Accounts

  • Create a Free Account
  • Log in
  • Contact Us

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact Cision

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Online Member Center
  • ProfNet
Cision Distribution Helpline
888-776-0942
  • Legal
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 Cision US Inc.