Waypoint, formerly Child and Family Services, is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit with a nearly 170-year record of protecting and serving the needs of children, empowering families and serving as a strong advocate for children in the public policy arena. As NH’s oldest charitable children’s organization, they provide a full spectrum of social services that address human need at every stage of life.
Their service to NH’s most impoverished families began in 1850 with efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect and aid Manchester’s struggling millworkers and immigrant families. Waypoint serves nearly 9,000 children and families across New Hampshire annually. They offer 28 unique programs in four areas of care: Early Childhood/Family Support; Counseling, Intervention & Treatment; Homeless Youth Services; and Senior & Independent Living. In addition, they provide summer camp for children from low-income, at-risk families, and their NH Children’s Lobby works at the legislative level, fighting for laws to protect the rights and best interests of children.
Waypoint relies on a patchwork of public and charitable funding to provide a safety net of services for clients. To date in 2019, they are proud to be serving 190 clients and their families in the Lakes Region. Programming here includes the following:
Early supports & services/early intervention for children with developmental concerns
Camperships for families with low-incomes
Mental health & family counseling
Family strengthening & support/home visiting services
Family preservation & stabilization
Transitional living for homeless youth
Parent aide – supervised visitation services
Foster care
Services for children who have chronic health conditions
With a mission to empower people of all ages through an array of human services and advocacy, Waypoint helps individuals and families to recognize their strengths, improve daily functioning and to be contributing members of the communities where they live and work.
