Starting in November 16 AmeriCorps volunteers will be coming to New Hampshire to work with people fighting drug addiction in the state.
These volunteers will serve as community health workers in Lebanon, Nashua and Strafford County.
They’ll be tasked with providing care that some health workers are too strapped to offer. That might include finding housing and work for those in recovery or providing rides to treatment centers.
This is a new focus for these volunteers who tend to work in issues related to education and the environment.
Gretchen Berger, who heads Volunteer NH, says these volunteers are expected to help roughly 500 people.
“Thinking about that gives me goose bumps – 500 people with this intense support – 500 families, children,” Berger said.
New Hampshire is one of eight states that were awarded a federal AmeriCorps grant to address drug addiction. Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital will also provide money towards the effort.