About Us
Founded in 1991 by concerned citizens, the Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter (MATS) is run by volunteers from local communities and a part-time Case Manager. MATS serves the towns of the Greater Monadnock Region, and we also accept referrals from other shelters throughout the tri-state area.
MATS is a registered, private, non-profit 501c3 organization. Our funding comes entirely from donations from area churches, businesses, service organizations, grants and private citizens. We do not receive funding from the federal or state governments, or from The River Center on Concord Street in Peterborough where our office is located and for which we pay rent.
MATS offers a safe environment in four (4) apartments in Peterborough, NH. Families may share an apartment with another family or, depending on the number of people, may have their own apartment. Because we pay the rent or mortgage, heat, basic phone and electricity, we consider people our guests while they live in the shelter. Through our part-time Case Manager, guests learn of various state agencies where they may find help according to their needs. Our Case Manager also assists each guest with budgeting and goal setting, and meets weekly with each guest to assertain his/her progress and set new goals. In conjunction with the federal guideline that people should spend one-third of their gross income on housing (including heat and electricity), MATS requires each guest/family to open a Savings Account into which they must put 30% of their income as a means helping them return to a life of self-sufficiency.
Board of Trustees:
Peter Harrison, President;
Ernest Belletete, Vice-President;
Karen Johnson, Treasurer;
Lynn Thibodeau, Secretary;
Ernie Belletete; Bobbie Coffin; Joyce Jorgenson; Bob Pettegrew; Hope Pettegrew; David Premo; Rev. David Robins; Mary Seebart; Larry Schwartz
The Mission of MATS is to provide temporary housing, support, and referral services to homeless persons; to educate the community on issues of homelessness; and to advocate for possible solutions.
