Our project for 2010: The White House Intensive Residential Facility of Easter Seals NH.

Location: 9 Mammoth Road, The Corner of Cilley and Mammoth Rd. in Manchester, NH

This two-story building is home to five boys who for any number of reasons cannot live with their families. Many residents here have behavioral problems, learning disabilities and other setbacks. Most have experienced severely traumatic life experiences along the way, but they come to the White House because they are working through those problems and have plans for a better future. Easter Seals NH operates more than 60 different programs to assist New Hampshire families in crisis or people in need and often those problems seem beyond repair. So this place is unique because it represents the possibility of success. The White House represents hope.

“The White House helped me figure things out and get focused. Now I know I'm ready.” Codey McIntire, a graduate of the Easter Seals Intensive Residential Treatment Program — Codey now has plans for college and a career in computer technology.

The White House was built in the 1930s and is in need of numerous physical repairs. The kitchen where the boys cook, eat and clean is cramped. Insulation is old and inadequate, the boiler is inefficient and a closed-in front porch is not usable in winter months. The living and sleeping quarters are in need of brightening and decorative enhancements.

Building on Hope will set forth to make the improvements needed, expand living space, improve the house's energy efficiency, improve the grounds with functional appealing landscaping and transform a small back yard into a basketball court to provide healthy recreation for the residents. Meanwhile, Interior designers will brighten the home environment making it more conducive to the hopeful positive outlook that can assist the residents in overcoming the problems life has put in their paths.

Building teams will be signed up by December. Resources collected by February 2010. Plans and blueprints drawn up by March and building will begin on May 7 with a celebration upon completion on May 16.

The new White House will be on display for the Palace Theatre Kitchen tour – May, 2010.

• Elevations
• First Floor
• Second Floor
• Basement

We welcome your involvement in Building on Hope. It's a big job, but many hands make light work. We need volunteers in every area of the building trade from demolition, building, landscaping and design as well as people just willing to volunteer time, materials, funds or other resources.

See the complete checklist of supplies and tasks below.

• install new windows
• strip siding and superinsulate the exterior shell
• reside the house
• small 5'x8' addition to enlarge kitchen

• remove landscape and several trees
• install handicapped landscape ramp to front door
• install fence along north edge of property
• remove and add asphalt court
• install basketball hoop

• frame stair to basement
• add FRP panels to first floor walls
• paint and furnish all rooms including bedrooms

• install new high efficiency boiler
• install new baseboard heat