From the ED's Desk - Sixty Years of Opportunity
In late 1965, Ann Heath, a member of South Congregational Church, took to heart the troubling reality that patients discharged from the State Hospital often returned to homelessness or to environments that had contributed to their illness in the first place.
She brought this concern, along with fellow members Kay Norris, Bob Whittaker, and Alger Bourne, to a UCC Conference at a retreat sponsored by South Congregational Church. The retreat focused on how the Church—specifically South Church—could grow in meaningful ways while more fully engaging its members in the community.
From this retreat, interest was sparked and soon grew into a movement to promote citizen participation in creating a residence for individuals being discharged from the State Hospital, helping them successfully reintegrate into the community. Of eight potential properties, a house at 3 Elm Street was selected and purchased, and the real work began. On April 10, 1967, the first resident moved into what became known as Opportunity House.
Today, Fellowship Opportunity Housing serves sixty-three tenants across seven buildings throughout the Concord community, and I am pleased to serve as its Executive Director. What amazes me most is that, despite our efforts—and those of many others—over the past sixty years, we still have not fully met, or even come close to meeting, the growing demand for affordable housing.
As the affordable housing landscape continues to evolve, FHO has set a clear and focused path for the years ahead. Building on decades of experience, the organization will strengthen sustainability, expand and adapt its housing, deepen community engagement, and invest in the people and systems that make the mission possible. Fellowship Opportunity Housing is proudly celebrating 60 years of opening doors, building stability, and creating pathways to home. The organization will continue to optimize and adapt its housing to support residents with a wide range of experiences and abilities, ensuring that stability and independence remain central to every housing opportunity.
GIVE