To the Editor:

One of my favorite things about the Bethel community is how we come together to get things done. Some people offer their time to volunteer, some contribute resources, and others lend their skills. When faced with big challenges, we don’t wait for someone else to “fix it.” We take action together.

Take workforce housing, for example. It’s a nationwide problem, but too few communities have the will to tackle it. The profit motive alone makes it hard to convert old buildings or build new affordable housing, and as a result, the shortage persists. Thankfully, the Northern Forest Center—an organization with deep ties to Bethel and the broader Northern New England region—has stepped up with both the expertise and funding to help convert the historic Gehring House into workforce housing.

Phase One of this project, slated to be completed next year, will create 9 units in a range of sizes to help ease our housing shortage. Phase Two, while a few years off, will provide even more units. Already, many members of our community have volunteered their time, donated funds, and contributed their skills. Local craftspeople and contractors have done an incredible job transforming this beloved, yet neglected building into something we desperately need.

If you haven’t yet contributed, I encourage you to consider making a gift. Your donation—of any size—will help us close the funding gap and unlock a generous matching grant by the end of the year. Every contribution counts.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the Grand Opening! It will be a proud day for Bethel, showing what’s possible when we work together to solve problems.

Celina Adams

Bethel