Changemaker Chronicles: Family Promise of the Lakes Region

Interview with Nicole Shedd: Executive Director and Sarah Al-Sharaidi: Board Chair and Founder

In 2024, 16 out of every 10,000 New Hampshire residents experienced homelessness, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Living in Laconia, Sarah Al-Sharaidi saw the impact firsthand as more individuals and families lost their homes and sought shelter wherever they could, including in the woods.

Drawing on her background in social work, Sarah understood that homelessness often leads to poor health outcomes, family instability, and, in some cases, the removal of children from their parents' care which creates lasting trauma for everyone involved. Believing that every parent and child deserves the stability and security of a home, she felt compelled to take action.

Leveraging her previous experience working in a housing clinic, Sarah began reaching out to community members and service providers to better understand local needs and identify ways to address gaps in support. The process has been gradual, spanning more than two years, but with guidance and encouragement from Family Promise of Southern New Hampshire, she felt empowered to establish Family Promise of the Lakes Region, an affiliate of Family Promise National. In 2024, the organization received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, allowing it to accept tax-deductible contributions and begin building its programs. Its mission is simple but powerful: to prevent and end homelessness for families with children through a community-based response.

The Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund supported Family Promise last year with funding enabling the organization to hire its first Executive Director, Nicole Shedd. Shedd believes that “every family deserves stable housing and the opportunity to build lasting independence.” The organization also plans to hire a case manager in the coming months while it’s actively developing partnerships throughout the community.

During its first one to three years, the organization's primary focus is homelessness prevention, helping families remain housed before they reach a crisis point. Sarah is already proud of the impact Family Promise has made. One of its early clients, a single mother, was able to move out of her car and secure a work-from-home position after obtaining stable housing.

“For each person we make a marked impact on, it's worthwhile,” she says.

Sarah emphasizes that eviction is often not the result of poor financial decisions. More commonly, families are struggling to keep pace with rising housing and living costs while wages remain stagnant. When asked why homelessness persists despite widespread recognition of the problem, she notes that public systems often focus on responding to crises rather than preventing them.

She also believes there is widespread misunderstanding about what "affordable housing" actually means. According to federal housing guidelines, eligibility is based on area median income, which in many communities includes households that are fully employed but still unable to afford market-rate housing. For example, according to the Office of Policy Development and Research, the median income (AMI) for Laconia is $116,700. So, a family of four are considered low-income if the household make $94,100 annually. That can include teachers, nurses, firefighters, and other essential workers whose earnings have not kept pace with increasing housing costs.

By educating the public about these realities, Sarah hopes to foster greater understanding and reduce opposition to affordable housing initiatives.

Families seeking housing support, as well as individuals interested in volunteering or making a donation, can learn more by visiting www.familypromiselrnh.org.

The Greater Lakes Region Children's Fund salutes Family Promise of the Lakes Region for recognizing a complex community challenge and taking meaningful action to protect the well-being of children and families throughout the region.

Article written by Beth Osgood Dodge. If you are a Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction funded nonprofit contact Beth at beth03253@gmail.com to arrange an interview and let us spread awareness for your mission!