Melissa’s connection to the military began with a desire for belonging. She hoped the Navy would give her a sense of purpose and community. Her time in service was short, but meaningful. Boot camp at Great Lakes in the middle of January was unforgettable, freezing temperatures, new faces, and an experience that shaped her early adulthood.
For many years afterward, Melissa didn’t think she deserved Veterans’ benefits. She felt her service was too brief compared to others. That changed when Harbor Care and Easterseals NH stepped into her life.
Two years ago, Melissa survived a serious accident that left her in a wheelchair for nearly ten months. At the same time, she was homeless, having left a dangerous domestic situation. With nowhere to go, she called 211. Harbor Care responded, helped her find safety, and eventually introduced her to the Easterseals NH Military & Veterans Campus.
When she first heard about the new campus, its mission, its community, and the support it would offer Veterans, she knew it was where she wanted to be. After an initial wait, she received the call that changed everything. Signing her lease marked a turning point. “I felt respected and heard,” she says. “It took me from surviving to thriving.”
Life on campus has brought Melissa connection, routine, and joy. She volunteers, participates in events, and has found comfort in the friendships she’s built. She joined the Boots & Beats music program, put on by the Concord Community Music School, that quickly became one of her favorite parts of the week. She even received a ukelele! She also helped raise the flag at the 2025 Ribbon Cutting of the campus, an experience that encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone.
Melissa says the staff and fellow residents make her feel included and supported. Holidays are no longer spent alone. She enjoys walking the grounds, especially by the river, which helps her manage PTSD. The campus has become a safe haven.
She is sincerely proud and honored to be a first-generation resident, given the privilege to help and witness the evolution of a truly special, one-of-a-kind community.
“They gave me a community to rebuild my life with joy,” she says.