MANCHESTER, NH — Community leaders, donors, families, and friends gathered to officially open the Mark Stebbins Community Center on Manchester, New Hampshire’s West Side. The center is named after Mark Stebbins, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PROCON, who spent decades giving to community causes throughout New Hampshire.
“Mark grew up in Manchester and always focused philanthropy towards children and families in Manchester, and wanted nonprofits to collaborate together,” said Sally Stebbins, wife of Mark and one of the founders and leaders of the project. “This center is the ultimate culmination of Mark’s vision. And now his legacy shifts to stories of impact starting tomorrow when the doors open to children and families. Those who pass through these doors will have access to health care, children’s after-school activities, a food pantry, community navigators, and referrals to other nonprofits, all in one place, which will impact lives for generations.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester and Amoskeag Health are anchor tenants at the Community Center. All services will support youth and families, such as affordable, walkable after-school care, affordable health care services, community meeting space, food pantry, and programs provided by additional nonprofit partners.
“In truth, I have never met so many wonderful, like-minded, heartfelt, and inspiring people as I have met throughout this journey,” said Kris McCracken, President & CEO of Amoskeag Health. “That is what I think makes this place so special. It wasn't one organization. It wasn't one person. It wasn't one grant, one donor, one elected official, one architect, one construction team, or one community leader. It was all of us.”
“For many years, I spoke with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester Board of Directors about expanding our services to this part of the city,” said Diane Fitzpatrick, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester. “I jokingly called it our “Apollo Project” — an ambitious idea that sometimes felt beyond our reach. But meaningful change begins with the courage to think boldly.”
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Project leaders have successfully raised the funds needed to build and operate the facility. The Catholic Health Care Foundation of Greater Manchester surprised the attendees with an announcement that it will invest $1 million to complete the fundraising for the project.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen also previously provided a multi-million-dollar grant through her efforts with the Community Project Funding through HUD. Other donors that made significant contributions include M&T Bank, St. Mary’s Bank, CGI Business Solutions, Catholic Medical Center, Northeast Delta Dental, Hannaford, and Bangor Savings Bank.
“With the opening of the center ... now the real positive effect begins," Sally said. "Mark’s vision and legacy shifts to stories of impact for generations."
