WDH awards $10G grant to Lydia's House of Hope

From left, Meaghan Heusler, Community Benefits Manager at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Theresa Tozier, Executive Director/Founder of Lydia's House of Hope, Maria Benzekri, Administrator, Lydia's House of Hope.(Courtesy photo)

DOVER - Wentworth-Douglass Hospital has awarded a $10,000 community benefit grant to Lydia's House of Hope to assist in the expansion of trauma-informed clinical services provided to their in-house residents.

Since 2016, Lydia's House of Hope has offered a highly structured 365-day residential program for homeless women and children, many of whom have experienced difficult circumstances, such as extreme poverty, domestic violence, and substance abuse.

LHOH's goal is to break the cycle of generational homelessness and transition families into wholeness and healing.

"We are pleased to support LHOH as they continue to grow their trauma-informed care services, and we feel that the ongoing development of these services is well aligned with needs identified in our most recent Community Health Needs Assessment," said Meaghan Heusler, Wentworth-Douglass community benefits manager.

LHOH will use the money to expand their in-house nurse advocacy and trauma therapy programs. The nurse advocate, a board-certified patient advocate and registered nurse, helps residents address factors which impact health, well-being and quality of life. Grant funding will also support the expansion of in-house trauma therapy focused on mind-body connection and healing in a safe and supportive environment.

"Over the past two years, our residents are arriving with more complicated medical and trauma histories, an extensive list of medications, gaps in their medical history, and a lengthy list of comorbidities," said Theresa Tozier, founder and director of Seeds of Faith Ministries and Lydia's House of Hope. "Our nurse advocacy and trauma therapy programs are vital to the well-being of our residents, and their expansion will have a lasting positive effect on the mental, emotional, and physical health of our families. Services like this would not be possible without support from partners like Wentworth-Douglass."

Lydia's House of Hope is located at 21 Grand St. in Somersworth and accommodates up to 25 residents (12 families) at a time.

Wentworth-Douglass conducts a Community Health Needs Assessment every three years to identify where the hospital should focus its programs and services to improve the overall health of the individuals and families it serves. The funds donated are approved by the hospital's Community Benefit Funding Disbursement Committee and are not raised through any public or private donations.