MERRIMACK VALLEY DREAM CENTER INC

Programs

1. Fresh Start Mobile Shower. The Fresh Start mobile shower & laundry units provide unhoused residents with access to hot showers and the ability to wash and dry their clothes with dignity. Toiletries and other essential hygiene items are also provided. Services are offered in downtown Haverhill MA on Monday Wednesday Friday and Saturday from 9am-2:30PM and in Lawrence MA on Monday Tuesday Thursday and Saturday from 10AM - 3PM. In 2025 the program delivered 1,689 showers completed 892 loads of laundry distributed 3,560 hygiene kits and made 55 referrals to partner organizations for additional services including housing assistance detox programs and public benefits support. Program service expenses reflect the costs incurred to operate the program during the year. A portion of grant funding received supports multi-year program activities; accordingly amounts reported as grants above represent funds expended for program services during the current year.

   $218,581 spentof which $218,581 as grants
   55% of program spending

2. Food Truck Ministry Mobile Food Pantry. The Merrimack Valley Dream Centers Food Truck Ministry provides free groceries to under resourced individuals and families in local communities with a focus on housing developments and neighborhoods experiencing food insecurity. The program also connects guests with partner agencies that offer additional support services. In 2025 the program distributed 143,891 pounds of food and served 3,708 households. Food distributed through this program includes donated food and goods purchased with donated funds. Program service expenses reflect the costs incurred to operate the program during the year including the value of non-cash food distributed. A portion of grant funding supports ongoing and multi-year program activities; accordingly amounts reported as grants above represent funds expended for program services during the current year.

   $150,812 spentof which $150,812 as grants
   38% of program spending

3. Celebrate Recovery CR seeks to bring healing power into lives through enhanced Twelve Step Recovery Principles. CR is for both men and women. The mens and womens discussion groups deal with a variety of issues including but not limited to gambling pornography relationships abuse co-dependency eating disorders depression anger control forgiveness resentment and chemical dependency. In 2025 we had 827 guests 9 graduates of 12 Step study and 24 guest speakers. This program is funded through general contributions of the organization rather than program-specific grant funding.

   $6,979 spent
   2% of program spending

4. Since Adopt-A-Block was established in the year 2020 more than 2,000 lives have been impacted. Through this outreach the Dream Center partners with many volunteers and other organizations to serve in underserved neighborhoods with the goal of finding and filling needs. These outreach programs provide assistance in the form of food clothing hygiene items back 2 school backpacks Thanksgiving blessing kits and more. This program is funded through general contributions of the organization rather than program-specific grant funding.

   $1,438 spent
   0% of program spending

5. Bridge Ministry has had a consistent presence in Lawrence since December 2013 serving the homeless and disadvantaged including many living on the streets or in shelters. Our teams operate every Saturday regardless of the weather to meet people where they are: on the streets in parks and under bridges. We provide tents for shelter bagged lunches and essentials like socks gloves hats and personal care items. More importantly we offer hope guidance encouragement prayer and unconditional love to people who are struggling and hurting. In 2025 we served 1,075 persons by providing over 3,600 bagged lunches and 1225 hygiene kits. We have built relationships with many individuals based on love and trust and we have shared our own stories of life change. This builds the bridges needed to be able to engage those we serve in meaningful ways. This program is funded through general contributions of the organization rather than program-specific grant funding.

   $3,577 spent
   1% of program spending

6. Shuttle Ministry. Each weekend the Dream Center Shuttle Ministry provides rides to church services for individuals who lack transportation. Shuttle Ministry seeks to build a sense of community to let people know that they belong and are loved. Pick up locations may vary and are communicated directly to those whom we serve. 110 persons used our Shuttle services in 2025 for rides to treatment facilities various support programs and events. This program is funded through general contributions of the organization rather than program-specific grant funding.

   $8,143 spent
   2% of program spending

7. Canopy of Hope. The Canopy of Hope was a pilot program initiated in 2022 that provided next step transitional housing counseling and skills training to individuals in recovery who had completed halfway house programs. The trial phase concluded in 2024 and there were carryover expenses in 2025. This program is being redesigned with plans for future implementation. This program is funded through general contributions of the organization rather than program-specific grant funding.

   $7,296 spent
   2% of program spending

The 7 programs described on its FY2025 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $396,826.