Somebody Cares New England is a 501c-3 non-profit, Christ based community caring organization.  

The three major areas where we focus our efforts are with our youth center, food pantry and Holiday outreaches.

Youth Center

The Youth Center on the Hill was started in January 2019 in response to an incredible need for youth services in the Washington Street area of Haverhill, known locally as “The Hill”. In this area, extreme poverty, prevalent drug use, street violence, and domestic violence create a difficult atmosphere for our children and youth to thrive. We launched the Youth Center on the Hill with a mission to train and equip young people to face life’s challenges with confidence, competence, and dignity, and to create and maintain a safe, interactive, fun learning environment that offers instruction.

In our first year, 2019, the Youth Center on the Hill served 102 unduplicated youth. On a weekly basis, we served 30-35 youth per week through our Wednesday program for Tweens (ages 7-11) and Friday program for Teens (ages 12-18). Teens who attended consistently report being able to manage conflict more effectively, express their feelings in a healthy way, increase their attendance at school, and improve their grades.  On top of this, many of them express a desire to serve their community. Four of the teens from our Friday program have started volunteering with us to help lead the younger group on Wednesdays. We have also seen growth in our Tweens, with many of them learning new skills, gaining positive friendships, and demonstrating responsibility.  We are hoping to launch phase 3 of the youth center in 2021, which will incorporate even more opportunities for life skills training, including an addictions support group for teens.

To see what our Youth Center has been up to recently, click here!

Food Pantry

Our Food Pantry impacts between 600-1100 individuals each month.  We do so through two mobile pantries to the elderly and a large end of month distribution at our facility.  The COVID pandemic has caused us to make some necessary modifcations, however, throughout the pandemic we have continued to serve those in need.  Armed with masks, gloves and socially distanced we have served our elders, as well as all others, outside our building.  As they drive up to our facility, we place the groceries in the back seat or truck of their car, limiting any exposure, but still meeting a great need.  And for our walkers, we have a separate distribution point, where our guests are spaced 6ft apart and are served in a safe manner.  For our elders at our mobile pantries, we have been pre-packing all grociers, dropping them off at their facilities,where they are then handed out by a staff member from the building.  At the beginning of the pandemic, we would receive many calls requesting grocery drop-offs from elders, those with pre-existing conditions or those recovering from COVID.  We count it a privilege to serve our community during these challenging times.

Holiday Outreaches

One of our favorite times of the year at Somebody Cares is Thanksgiving and Christmas!  What a joy it is to partner with donors and provide Turkeys and Hams to families in need!  In addition, we collaborate with Toys for Tots to provide gifts for those 12 and under.  We also provide gifts for teenagers through the generosity of SCNE donors!  Our gift distribution is one of our most "sought after" volunteer opportunities...because it's just such a joy!!  Volunteers get to escort parents through a winter-wonderland of toys, as the parent gets to "shop" for their child.  

Somebody Cares New England also collaborates with other churches and organizations throughout the year.  CCF Ministires Haverhill and CCF Ministries Lowell have coordinated several outreach events in their cities.  Every year CCF Ministires in Lowell hosts a beautiful Thanksgiving and Christmas meal on the actual holiday to bless those in need.  SCNE is grateful to help support their efforts.