Building Pathways to Stability

Across New Hampshire, individuals in recovery are working every day to rebuild their lives. Stable housing, community support, and treatment are critical first steps. But long-term recovery is often sustained through something deeper: purpose, structure, and access to meaningful work. This initiative brings together JobForward, a national workforce development intermediary, and Headrest, a trusted recovery organization serving the Upper Valley since 1971, to explore and build new pathways into employment for individuals living in recovery residential communities.

Headrest provides a safe, structured, and supportive environment for individuals navigating substance use recovery, including its Mind, Body, Soul Recovery House and 24/7 crisis services that support thousands each year. JobForward brings deep expertise in designing employer-aligned career pathways, including training, work-based learning, and Registered Apprenticeship.

Together, we are launching a collaborative effort to answer a critical question: How can we better connect recovery to long-term economic stability?

Our Vision: To create a scalable model that connects individuals in recovery to stable, quality employment pathways, beginning with immediate work opportunities and leading to long-term career advancement.

1. Employment Social Enterprise (ESE) Exploration: We will assess the feasibility of launching an Employment Social Enterprise in Lebanon, New Hampshire that provides:

• Immediate, paid work opportunities 
• Structured, supportive employment environments 
• Skill-building and work readiness development 

2. Workforce Development Pathways: If an ESE model is not viable or as a complementary strategy, we will develop direct pathways into:

• Industry-aligned training programs 
• Employer-connected job placement 
• Registered Apprenticeship and long-term career tracks 

In both models, individuals will be supported from recovery to stability to advancement.

How NH Gives Support Will Be Used: Funding raised through NH Gives will support the planning, coordination, and foundational work necessary to launch this initiative, including:

• Partnership development and formalization (MOU between JobForward and Headrest) 
• Feasibility analysis for Employment Social Enterprise models 
• Employer engagement and pathway design 
• Program planning, staffing coordination, and early-stage infrastructure 

This flexible support is essential to building a strong, sustainable model before program launch.

Join Us: NH Gives is a powerful moment to invest in new ideas that can strengthen communities across the state. Your support helps lay the groundwork for a model that connects recovery to opportunity and transforms lives through work.

Together, we can build pathways from recovery to long-term stability and purpose.