Nantucket Human Services Center

CONTACT:

P.O. Box 1386
Nantucket, MA 02554
508-228-4138
www.nhscenter.com

John D. Miller, Acting Chairman

DESCRIPTION:

NHSC emerged gradually in the ‘90s, as human service issues intensified. Here the usual Cape-in-winter conditions—a small year-round population that is generally low-income, seasonally unemployed, often older, with many health and other problems—has been complicated by rapid high-income summer real estate development. As prices rose and state budgets fell, agencies closed their year-round offices; circuit-riders provided services from their cars. The remoteness of the island is especially hard on infirm and needy elders. In 1991 the Town created a Council for Human Services, to increase efficiency and productivity among 21 government and philanthropic agencies. In 2001 the Council voted to create a single, multi-service, philanthropic Center with adequate and affordable office and activity space, and increased coordination. The Center was incorporated in 2002; the Town’s Community Preservation Committee (est. 2001) provided a planning and development grant; NHSC was given five acres of Town land for a Center with 4-6 units of affordable housing for agency employees, and two acres of children’s playgrounds. Now a capital campaign to build the Center is being planned, defining the scope and purposes of the Center in the context of all the influences that will define the future of the community. This is a great philanthropic opportunity for all the people of Nantucket, together.

(2004: HUMAN SERVICES: Well-Being)