The River Center

On January 20, 2010, the governing boards of two local charitable organizations, The Family Center of Greater Peterborough, and The River Center, voted to merge into one organization to more effectively and efficiently deliver family support and economic opportunity programs and services to those in the 14 towns of the Eastern Monadnock region. The merger was complete on March 1, 2010. The new River Center has roots dating back to the early 1990's when The Parent Guidance Center and Families and Communities Together began to provide parenting and family support programs in the Eastern Monadnock Region. These two pioneering organizations merged in 2002 to form The Family Center of Greater Peterborough. The parenting and family support programs and services begun by these organizations continue at The River Center today. In 2002, the community supported a capital campaign to purchase 44 and 46 Concord Street in Peterborough. This property was home to The Family Center of Greater Peterborough and served as an incubator for many social services nonprofits. In 2004, The River Center began its economic opportunities programs with financing from a five-year federal grant of an on-site partner, the Under One Roof project. This project asked local welfare officers and other community leaders what serious community needs remained unmet. This group identified three primary areas of need for assistance for local citizens of limited means or those experiencing a disability: to connect with local services in times of need (and before reaching a crisis), to find employment, and to manage their personal finances effectively. As a result, the Assisted Information and Referral program began in 2005; the Money Matters program offering budgeting, money coaching and tax preparation has operated since 2007 (with the notable support of a dedicated volunteer network); and the Employment Resource Center, began in 2008 until May 2018, when the latter services were assumed by the Peterborough Town Library. In 2016, the property at 44 ...