Pastor Jonathan Hopkins has dedicated over a decade to addressing homelessness in Concord, New Hampshire, through initiatives driven by compassion and community support. On November 3, 2025, he led a meeting at Concordia Lutheran Church with volunteers, focusing on welcoming new churchgoers while simultaneously reinforcing his commitment to aiding the city’s homeless population.
Since becoming pastor in 2009, Hopkins recognized homelessness as a pressing issue within the community. He stated, “When I first assumed to be the pastor here, one of the issues that was kind of front and center in our city and in our church was homelessness in general.” Motivated by the congregation’s eagerness to contribute, he established a chapter of Family Promise in Greater Concord, a nonprofit organization designed to assist unhoused families with young children in achieving sustainable independence.
Family Promise operates with over 200 affiliates across 40 states. Hopkins founded the Concord chapter a decade ago, and on the evening of its tenth anniversary, he will receive the Pillar of Promise award for his pivotal role in its establishment and success.
Hopkins became acquainted with Family Promise during his seminary training in Philadelphia. After moving to Concord, he learned about the limited winter shelter options in the capital region, particularly for families. Collaborating with leaders from St. Paul’s Church and East Congregational Church, he set out to create a local chapter. He faced challenges, including the need for at least 13 congregations to participate, and learned that previous attempts to establish Family Promise had failed due to internal resistance. His determination prevailed, as he shared, “I really believed [in] it. I have seen it work.”
Since its inception in 2010, Family Promise in Greater Concord has assisted over 350 individuals in transitioning to stable housing. One beneficiary, Misty Keller, a 34-year-old mother of three, credits the program with helping her secure a home on Loudon Road after an eight-month stay. “They helped me so much,” she remarked. “I wouldn’t be where I am right now if it wasn’t for them helping me get into housing.”
Having moved frequently throughout her life, Keller faced difficulties in Ohio due to a lack of resources. After experiencing homelessness in Nashua, she was referred to Family Promise by city officials. The program, which involves rotating stays among 13 affiliated congregations, provided her family with meals and a supportive environment during their transition.
The hands-on approach of Family Promise differentiates it from traditional shelters. The organization assisted Keller in applying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, repairing her vehicle, and securing a first month’s rent deposit for her new home.
Paul Russo, a long-time member of Hopkins’s church and chair of the local Family Promise chapter’s board of trustees, emphasized the organization’s commitment to following up with families after they leave the program. He noted a concerning trend: the number of children experiencing homelessness increased by 33% between 2023 and 2024, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Russo highlighted the importance of keeping families together, as many are often separated due to shelter requirements.
Hopkins no longer serves directly on the chapter’s board but continues to coordinate his church’s involvement. He expressed gratitude for the community’s support in establishing the chapter in Concord. “I hope that people see that it was really a shared endeavor, and we did this together as a community of faith,” he stated.
As the anniversary gala approaches, Hopkins hopes to increase awareness of Family Promise’s resources, encouraging more families experiencing homelessness in Concord to seek assistance. He summarized his philosophy, saying, “Those of us who are in positions where we get to help people is a great gift. I’m very proud or just ecstatic that we were able to pull this off and have a program that really does help people.”
Through his unwavering commitment and the collective efforts of the community, Pastor Jonathan Hopkins continues to make a significant impact in the lives of those in need in Greater Concord.
