A current guest at the Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter is a woman who has been on an uphill climb for quite some time. A few years ago, she lost her job and could not pay her rent. She also could not keep up with other bills and so lost her car.

At first, this woman stayed with a friend for quite some time, and then she stayed in a shelter in another part of our state nearer where she lived until another friend told her about MATS. She was happily surprised that, instead of living in a large room with as many as 20 other women, and having to leave by 6 a.m. and not return until 6:30 p.m., she could have her own apartment at MATS. Now on her days off, she has someplace to go. “I love it here. I didn’t expect it to be this nice” she told me during our recent chat.

This woman had no vehicle and therefore was unable to get to The River Center’s new location. Susan, our case manager, loaned her a computer so she could research a job locally. And thankfully, that task has been accomplished. This woman can even walk to her job, allowing her to save her money for a car, and then her own apartment… those are her two goals.

Susan is a wonderful person who goes above and beyond, our guest said. “She’s a good listener and has very good advice about things. She steers you in the right direction to find assistance for what you need. And she is helping me reapply for my driver’s license,” she continued – something she lost due to an unusual situation.

Since coming to our shelter, our guest asked Susan for some paint and promptly repainted her apartment. Already she is giving back to MATS.

We talked about the free suppers that three of the local churches offer each week. This woman already had food stamps when she came to Peterborough, and she goes to the local food pantry. Things are starting to perk up for her, and she is very appreciative of all that MATS does. We wish her well as she continues toward a new life of self-sufficiency.

Special Notes: As you shop locally, please notice the MATS donation jars in several stores in the area and “offer change for people who are homeless.” Also, on Dec. 21, the longest day of the year, we will again hold our candlelight vigil in front of the Peterborough Town House at 5 p.m.. We hope you will join us as we remember those who have no shelter while naming those in our state who have died during the past year. Last Friday evening, during a fundraiser to celebrate MATS’s 25th anniversary, a new fund was established to help our guests with car repairs and/or payments – to offer hope as they move forward with their lives. Please consider making a donation to this important fund.

Wish List: a reliable car; Shaw’s Super Saver Stamps; Pampers, size 4 and up; gift cards from local businesses for our guests to use, a toddler bed. If you have these items, please call the MATS office at 924-5033. Mailable items and monetary donations may be sent to MATS, P.O. Box 3053 in Peterborough. Thank you, and happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Hope Pettegrew is a volunteers at the Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter in Peterborough.