Building Community in New Hampshire

10/20/2026

This Sunday, the BCNH team was invited to join the congregation at the First Congregational Church of Wilmot, UCC , and we felt welcomed from the moment we walked in. 💛

The entire service centered on welcoming our neighbors and remembering that every one of us has, at some point, been a stranger in a new place. The scripture and hymns carried that message beautifully.

We were honored to share a little about the work BCNH does, and at coffee hour we were moved by everyone's curiosity, thoughtful questions, and stories of how they've welcomed newcomers into their own lives.

Thank you, Wilmot UCC, for your warmth, your kindness, and for living out what it means to be a good neighbor. 🙏

10/14/2026

Last Friday the BCNH Board of Directors and staff all got together for an excellent strategic planning retreat facilitated the talented Allison Grappone of AGG Consulting. We convened to discuss our strategic priorities for the years ahead so that we can continue to provide critical services for refugees across New Hampshire in an ever-changing landscape.

It was an excellent opportunity to reflect on BCNH's past success and impact and share ideas on how to address the current needs of our clients and very real challenges in the coming years. I left feeling even more confident that the team at BCNH is the right team to meet the moment. I am deeply grateful to work with such kind, smart, and committed people every day.

One thing this team is not great at - taking photos! It's very rare we get the whole board and staff together, and unfortunately this is the best photo proof that it happened 🤣

Thank you to the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and the Endowment for Health for sponsoring our strategic planning project.

10/12/2026

🎉 A big thank-you to Revo Casino and Social House for inviting BCNH to their gala on Saturday night!

Executive Director Nikki Shults, board members Bianca and Lindsay (not pictured), and our partner Allison Grappone of AGG Consulting had a fantastic time enjoying the music, watching a live artist at work, and taking in a beautifully themed evening (yes, there was plenty of red! ❤️).

We’re grateful to Revo for including us in such a fun night filled with great entertainment and community connections. Thanks for having us! 🥂✨

10/09/2026

📚✨ Ready to improve your English? Start here! ✨📚

Join us for our ESOL Classes Placement Test! This short test helps us find the right class level for you so you can learn with confidence and reach your goals. 🎯

🗓️ Thursday, October 15, 2026
⏰ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
📍 BCNH, 1045 Elm St, Suite 202, Manchester, NH 03101

Whether you're just starting out or building on what you know, our classes are a welcoming place to grow your skills and connect with your community. 💙🧡

✉️ RSVP: [email protected]
📞 Questions? Call 603-935-9620 or visit www.bcinnh.org

Bring a friend and share with anyone who might be interested! 🌎

10/07/2026

Last week we shared a lot of hard news about budget cuts and Medicaid cuts. But it's just as important to talk about the good things happening in our community. 💙💛

This week, we're excited to highlight two of our younger clients, Uliana and Nina! Both arrived in 2023 through the Uniting for Ukraine program, and they're thriving here in the US. Between them: lead roles on stage, choral festivals, a winning mural design, state-level Destination Imagination awards, top math scores, and community workshops sharing Ukrainian traditions.

This is what it looks like when newcomers have access to programs and support.

Congratulations to their parents and the whole family on their success and integration into American life. Moving to the US might not have been part of their plan, but our community is stronger with them in it, and we're so glad they're here.

10/05/2026

I won't sugarcoat it: last week was tough. On October 1st our steep federal funding cuts took effect. On the same day, hundreds of non-citizens in New Hampshire lost Medicaid access, even though most work and pay taxes toward those benefits.

But there's a lot going right too, and that's what I want to focus on:

💛 Our Fill the Gap campaign cut our 2027 deficit by $25,000. Thank you to everyone who showed up for us when we needed it most.
💼 New workforce development funding came in through the Build Back Better grant, and we welcomed Ali Sekou as our first Workforce & Education Program Manager. He's already working on employment pathways with our clients and business partners.
🌟 Later this week, you'll meet Uliana and Nina, two young clients from Ukraine who are thriving in arts, music, school and friendships.

Refugees and immigrants are famously resourceful. When people have access to services and opportunities, they thrive.

If you haven't given yet, there's still time before 2027. Link in the comments.

10/02/2026

ICYMI: Many non-citizens lost access to Medicaid on Wednesday. Listen to this story from NPR for a perspective from Nebraska on what this means for refugees.



https://loom.ly/Gibzi1Y

10/02/2026

Want to stay informed on what's changing with Medicaid in New Hampshire and how it affects you, your loved ones, or your work?

🗓️ Join NH Medicaid Matters for one of our local community conversations this fall in Claremont, Keene or Littleton! These events will provide updates on the upcoming changes to Medicaid and how they will impact your community.

🔗 Register Now: nhneedsmedicaid.com/events

09/21/2026

Starting October 1, many of our clients will lose Medicaid coverage due to a change in eligibility for non-citizens — including some who are currently in treatment for serious illness. It's a hard reality, and we know affordable options are limited.

Today we welcomed Roshani Giri, Health Navigator from HealthApply, to speak with clients about these changes: what's happening, what options remain, and how to keep themselves and their families as healthy as possible moving forward.

We can't change the policy, but we can make sure our community isn't facing it alone. Thank you to Roshani and HealthApply for sharing your time and expertise with us today. 🤝

09/14/2026

An important op-ed from our friends at International Institute of New England

On Oct. 1, provisions of H.R. 1 will strip Medicaid from refugees and other humanitarian immigrants — 296 people right here in New Hampshire. One of them is a Stage IV cancer patient whose chemo, radiation, thyroid medication, and post-surgery care are all about to disappear.

These are neighbors who came here through one of the most heavily vetted legal pathways in the world, who became taxpayers, coworkers, and friends. Denying them care doesn't erase their presence here — it just shifts the cost to emergency rooms and breaks a promise our country made when we welcomed them.

Read the full op-ed and share:

View the Union Leader for Saturday, September 12, 2026