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Integrated Care + Housing = Success

Our mission is to provide vital services, including housing and healthcare, to all in our communities needing assistance.

Our vision is one where everyone gets to live safe, stable, and healthy lives, filled with purpose, respect and dignity.

Our Community

Harbor Care is an innovative network of nonprofit health care, housing and human services helping adults, children, and families of New Hampshire find solutions to many of life’s most challenging issues. We provide high quality housing and residential services, primary and behavioral health care, substance use disorder treatment, HIV/AIDS care, veteran services, employment supports, and supports to individuals and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. 

Our unique model allows us to provide the wide range of collaborative services people need to gain and sustain independence. Each year, Harbor Care provides integrated care and housing to more than 5,000 New Hampshire community members statewide, with a focus on the Greater Nashua, Manchester, Salem, Antrim, Plymouth, Claremont, Keene, and other southern New Hampshire regions.

Harbor Care

Harbor Care creates and provides quality residential, health care, and supportive services to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness and/or living with behavioral health disorders. It also operates Greater Nashua’s only Healthcare for the Homeless clinic, Harbor Care Health and Wellness Center

Strategic Plan

2023-2026 Strategic Plan: Establish our Philosophy of Care | Create a Strategic Decision-Making Framework | Establish Service Excellence | Service Coordination | Enhance the Staff Experience.


Housing and Beyond

An award-winning leader in ending homelessness within New Hampshire and the nation, Harbor Care recognizes that there are many overlapping, complex factors that contribute to poverty and homelessness. Unemployment, poor physical health, inadequate access to health care, domestic violence, substance use, mental health disorders, disabilities, legal troubles, low levels of education, and a lack of family and social supports all play a role within our communities.

Our network of services provides the tools for individuals and families to escape homelessness and related crises, or avoid them all together. We are proud to be New Hampshire's largest provider of permanent supportive housing, but Harbor Care goes beyond providing shelter and basic needs. Our integrated, holistic approach helps New Hampshire's families gain and maintain sustainable independence. Our services include:

  • Healthcare through the Harbor Care Health and Wellness Center, which is Greater Nashua’s community health care center that offers primary and preventive health care, behavioral health care, pharmacy services, and oral health care, at no-to-low cost to children and adults.

  • Housing that serves 1,300 people—often with case management and employment supports on-site—through 400 units of crisis, transitional, permanent supportive, and income-based rental housing.

  • Substance Use Services with residential rehab, outpatient services, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), and a host of innovative treatments.

  • Veterans Services through our Veterans FIRST suite, with a combination of housing, employment, and supports for veterans and their families.

  • Mental Illness Supports with a suite of crisis, outreach, housing, and medical interventions and services.

  • HIV/AIDS Services with case management, client advocacy, peer support, and prevention.

Most of our services are free of charge or utilize a sliding fee scale based on a person’s income.


Better Together – Integrated Care

We believe in the power of integrated care. Our patients and clients have streamlined access to the full continuum of health and social services of the Harbor Care member-agencies. By working together through shared treatment planning, we are able to better coordinate and deliver a comprehensive array of interventions that empower individuals and families, and ultimately build a stronger community.

In Greater Nashua over the last decades, we have helped reduced the experience of homelessness in our community substantially. We have dropped rates of unsheltered homelessness and chronic homelessness. We have also achieved an effective end to veteran homelessness and homelessness among people living with HIV/AIDS. These incredible results are only possible because we have learned to work together.

Strong partnerships have also enabled Harbor Care to help lead our state’s efforts in ending homelessness by:

  • Establishing and maintaining consistently high standards of housing, health care, and supportive programs that are evidence-based and best-practice.

  • Advocating for low-income community members, veterans, individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders, and other vulnerable populations.

  • Generating community awareness, education, understanding and support around homelessness, poverty, health care, and mental health care.

As described below, working together and integrating care has substantially widened our impact.

 

Harbor Care Changes Lives Across New Hampshire

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Leadership

 


Harbor Care agencies are governed by a shared volunteer Board of Directors which sets the long-term vision of the organization (click each board member’s photo for a brief bio). Day-to-day leadership is overseen by a shared CEO/President as well as a team of clinical and administrative professionals.

Board Of Directors

Click each board member’s photo for a brief bio.


Leadership Staff

+ Henry J. Och, President & Chief Executive Officer

Henry J. Och, President and Chief Executive Officer of Harbor Care, has more than 20 years of experience in non-profit healthcare, most recently as Chief Operations Officer of Harbor Care. Previously, Och served as Chief of Operations and Chief Information Officer at the Lowell Community Health Center in Lowell, MA. From 2010 to 2014 he also served as Adjunct Professor at the University of Massachusetts, where he instructed graduate students in Health Informatics and Project Management.

Henry is a commissioned Infantry officer in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, where he currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He served as an operations officer at ISAF Headquarters in Afghanistan in 2014, for which he was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Och also served in Kosovo, where he worked with the Kosovo Police Services to identify and stop human trafficking operations.

Henry completed his bachelor's degree at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell with a concentration in Management Information Systems. He has a master's degree from the Harvard University Extension School and a master's degree in Business Administration with a Healthcare Management concentration from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. He is pursuing his Doctorate in Leadership Psychology (PsyD) from William James College in Newton, MA.

Henry has received several awards and recognitions for his leadership and achievements, including national recognition by the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, the National Association of Community Health Centers, and the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers.

In addition, Henry volunteers his time and expertise as a member of several non-profit boards focused on the well-being of children and families, youth support, mentorship and empowerment, and social and economic justice. Henry is also an avid long-distance runner and has completed over 30 full marathons, including 10 Boston Marathons.

+ William Belecz, Chief of Operations

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief of Operations (COO) will lead all day to day operations of Harbor Care, one of New Hampshire’s largest health and human services organizations. The position requires ensuring the meeting of outcomes and regulations for various federal, state and local contracts, government/foundation grants, and audits.

The COO, in consultation with the CEO, develops and implements operational plans, monitors progress, and adjusts plans as is necessary to achieve objectives. The COO will oversee the following functional areas: Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) program; Home Health Agency; Housing Department; Military Veteran Services, and Facilities Management.

Prior to joining Harbor Care, Mr. Belecz served as the CEO for Regional Health Reach, a FQHC Healthcare for the Homeless program, and Executive Director for Regional Health Services, a 25-clinic FQHC subrecipient serving over 85,000 patients.

Bill’s first experience with FQHCs was when he held the position of Senior Vice President, Programs and Services, and Chief Operating Officer/Chief Information Officer for Trillium Health, where he led the organization to become a Look Alike FQHC, acquired new practices, opened new clinics, and rolled out the organizations first Mobile Access Clinic. Mr. Belecz was also instrumental in growing the organizations HIV treatment and prevention program, hepatitis C program, and harm reduction and medication assisted treatment programs.

Much of Mr. Belecz’ early career was with the University of Rochester Medical Center where he oversaw several licensed homecare agencies, the long-term care program, and Meals on Wheels, in addition to administrative and support functions including IT, Facilities, and Emergency Preparedness.

Mr. Belecz earned a Master of Science degree in Information Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology, and a Master’s in Business Administration from the Simon School of the University of Rochester, and holds certificates in Lean, Green Belt, and Black Belt Six Sigma from Villanova University.

Bill is married to his lifelong partner who he met while at SUNY Plattsburgh, NY. They have lived in Corn Hill, a historic neighborhood in downtown Rochester, NY and share many common interests including cooking, gardening, hiking, and dinner and cocktails with friends.

+ Ana Pancine, Chief Financial Officer

Ana Pancine is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO)of Harbor Care, where she is accountable for the administrative, financial, and risk management operations of the company. Her duties include the development of a financial and operational strategy, metrics tied to that strategy, and the ongoing development and monitoring of control systems designed to preserve company assets and report accurate financial results.

Ana has more than 14 years of experience in non-profit accounting, finance and compliance, and is the former Chair of the Greater Nashua Continuum of Care, where she served for a total of four years. Past positions include various accounting and finance roles at Electronic Data Systems and Compaq/Hewlett Packard. Ana is a trained interpreter and translator in Portuguese and Spanish and has successfully completed the National Society of Leadership and Success training program and various financial leadership trainings.

Ana achieved an M.B.A. in Finance from Southern New Hampshire University, where she graduated summa cum laude.

+ Erin Sawicki, MPH, Compliance Officer

As Compliance Officer, Erin Sawicki, MPH, oversees initiatives and policies that maintain Harbor Care’s integrity and reputation for providing excellent care to our clients. She leads efforts to detect and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. She also implements procedures to ensure compliance with organizational performance measures and regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.

Erin brings more than 15 years of experience working in underserved communities, including Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Martha Eliot Health Center in Boston, and the United States Peace Corps in Botswana. Erin also has experience in program evaluation and was part of an award-winning evaluation team at Barker Bi-Coastal Health Consultants, Inc. She has Master’s Degree in Public Health from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

+ Brian Tagliaferro, Chief Philanthropy Officer

Brian Tagliaferro knows that people want to make a difference in their community and beyond. He believes his role is to present people with the opportunity to realize that goal. As Director of Fundraising and Development for Harbor Care, he oversees and executes on capital campaigns, major gift campaigns, and annual campaigns, as well as ongoing fundraising efforts.

Brian has spent his career working to further economic, social, and climate justice and is committed to the ideal that everyone deserves the opportunity to realize their potential. He has extensive experience building meaningful relationships with the philanthropic community, securing significant major, capital, and planned gifts. He came to Harbor Care with 20 years of nonprofit experience including Manager of Philanthropic Giving at Vermont Public Radio in Colchester, VT. He most recently served as Director of Resource Development and Grants with Capstone Community Action in Barre, VT.

Brian holds a B.A. in Government from Hamilton College and an MA in Public Administration from West Chester University.

+ Vanessa Talasazan, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief of Staff to the CEO

Vanessa Talasazan holds the dual positions of Chief Strategy Officer and Chief of Staff at Harbor Care. After a successful career in real estate, Ms. Talasazan joined Harbor Care in 2008 as a grant writer and, throughout the years, took on more senior leadership roles including Director of Grants Development and Vice President of Development and Grant Compliance. She has led efforts for Harbor Care to achieve more than $250 million in awarded grants, and secured funding for more than $30 million in real estate projects/facilities for the organization. She recently served as the lead project manager for the organization's first Low Income Housing Tax Credit project, Boulder Point Veterans Housing, and continues to lead Harbor Care's real estate leasing and development activities.

Ms. Talasazan performs strategic functions within the framework of her twofold roles, working to support, liaise, and advise the CEO, internal and external stakeholders, and funders, in administrating cohesive execution of various activities, while continuing to work with colleagues and subject matter experts to design and develop high quality programs and services for Harbor Care. Ms. Talasazan holds a B.A. in English from University of New Hampshire, and a Master of Science in Business with a focus in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University. She has been a licensed NH real estate agent for more than 20 years.

+ Michael Zechman, J.D., Director of Human Resources

Michael Zechman is a healthcare professional with over 20 years of well-rounded experience in legal, compliance, privacy, risk management, audit, and operations. He joined Harbor Care as its Compliance and Risk Management Officer in 2018 and moved into the Director of Human Resources role in 2021. As Director of Human Resources, Michael is responsible for the Human Resources department, which involves Recruitment, Performance Evaluations, Training and Development, Employee Benefits, Volunteer Management, Credentialing and Employee Relations, and he continues to be Harbor Care's liaison with our insurance partners and the Chair of the Safety Committee.

Before joining Harbor Care, Michael worked at Hope Community Resources, Inc., in Anchorage, AK, as Compliance Officer and later as General Counsel & Senior Deputy Director. In this capacity he served a healthcare entity with a $65,000,000 annual budget, 1,000 employees, and 8 regional offices. Prior to that, he served as Attorney for the Disability Law Center of Alaska, in Anchorage, and for Genex Services, Inc. in Wayne, PA.

Michael holds a B.A. in Political Science awarded by Millersville University, in Millersville, PA, a Juris Doctor awarded by Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, PA, and a Certificate in Business Management awarded by Wayland Baptist University in Anchorage, AK. He is a member of the Alaska Bar.

+ John Szyszlo, Director of Information Technology

As Harbor Care’s Director of Information Technology (IT), Mr. Szyszlo oversees all day-to-day and strategic activities of the Information Technology and Information Systems departments including staff, security, quality assurance, fiscal management, and the company’s EMR software.

Directly before coming to Harbor Care, Mr. Szyszlo was Director of Client Services at Solution Health, which is a shared services organization supporting Elliot Health System and Southern NH Health.

Prior to that, he served as Director of Information Technology at Southern NH Health, which is a community-based inpatient/outpatient nonprofit health system, and previously served as Manager of Desktop Support for the same organization. Before moving into healthcare IT systems, his focus was on the implementation of ERP, CRM and Data Analytics software. John served as a Senior IT Project Manager/Business Analyst for L-3 Communications Security & Detection Systems and as an IT Applications Group Manager at The Gem Group.

He received his BA in Computer Science, with a minor in Biology from Boston University.

+ Heather Nelson, Housing Director

+ Cheryle Pacapelli, Project Director for Peer Recovery Support Services

Cheryle Pacapelli is a woman in long-term recovery from alcohol and other drugs for 34+ years. She currently is the Project Director for Peer Recovery Support Services – Facilitating Organization at Harbor Care in Nashua NH. Cheryle is responsible for the building, developing and sustaining 19 Recovery Community Centers throughout New Hampshire. In 2023, she oversaw the provision of services for over 100,000 people struggling from substance use disorder. Peer Recovery Support throughout New Hampshire provided over 8,600 engagements with individuals seeking peer recovery support services. She comes to Harbor Care, from Connecticut where she worked as a Program Manager for Recovery Housing, Director of Operations, and the Director of Recovery Services at CT Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) from 2004-2012. During her time at CCAR she managed three Recovery Community Centers, Telephone Recovery Support Program, Recovery Housing Program, Volunteer Services, Recovery Coach Training, Recovery Training Series, and Recovery Walks. She was the founder of Stepping Stone House, a transitional living home for men in recovery seeking to transition from treatment and jail back into mainstream society. Cheryle has been providing and implementing recovery support since 2001.


 

2023 Harbor Care Annual Report

 
 

Impact

Harbor Care achieves real and significant outcomes within Greater Nashua and NH. Thousands of New Hampshire’s most vulnerable community members reach their true potential through our programs. Housing plus healthcare and veterans’ services really does equal success.

In addition to the numbers listed here, our 2023 Annual Report, 2022 Annual Report and 2021 Annual Report feature real stories of clients and volunteers, whose lives have been permanently changed for the better, thanks to the support of Harbor Care and their own commitment to independence.

ADJACENT: The chart reflects the calendar year 2023.

Success

In Greater Nashua, Harbor Care has realized:

  • 9 of 10 individuals moved into permanent housing with support services each year don’t fall back into homelessness.

  • More than 300 individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness moved into permanent housing since 2020.

  • Effective end to veteran homelessness since 2017.

  • 14 years with no individuals living with HIV/AIDS in long-term, unsheltered homelessness.

  • 96% viral suppression rates among our HIV/AIDS case management clients.

 

Other Publications & Financials

Revenue: $41,661,728

Expenses: $43,126,292

Fiscal Year 2021

 
 
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