d0d0bab1

Senior Volleyball Player, Clan A Lee Moore, Recognized Alongside Our House Chef and Mentor, Tom Proch

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 18:28:09 GMT

Senior Volleyball player and Our House student, Clan A Lee Moore, was given her Senior Recognition last month alongside her Mentor and Nutrition Teacher, Tom Proch, who is the Culinary Arts Teacher at Nantucket High School, as well as the Chef and Mentor at Our House.

Clan A Lee Moore and Tom Porch at the ceremony.

Public Health Nurse, Kezia Duarte, uses her Mentorship role at Our House to educate students through an afternoon workshop.

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:21:12 GMT

One of the Town of Nantucket’s Public Health Nurses, Kezia Duarte, has mentored at Our House every Tuesday afternoon for the past three years. At the beginning of the month, Kezia offered students a workshop with hands-on demonstrations of some health procedures that she performs as a nurse. Students learned about:

One of the Town of Nantucket’s Public Health Nurses, Kezia Duarte, has mentored at Our House every Tuesday afternoon for the past three years. At the beginning of the month, Kezia offered students a workshop with hands-on demonstrations of some health procedures that she performs as a nurse. Students learned about:

Vitals/blood pressure checks
Explanation of vitals/what that means
Explanation of circulation/heart functions
Explanation of types of assessments
Explanation of maintaining homeostasis

We are grateful to be able to offer our students a wide range of mentors who live and work in our community, who bring a diverse skill set, range of interests, and varied experiences.

A whiff of success: Highlights from our perfume workshop

pprochourhouse@gmail.com — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 17:18:09 GMT

Crafting Memories and fragrances! A day filled with creativity, laughter and beautiful scents.

Caroline Harding from Nantucket Perfume Co working with one of our students to help craft their very own signature scent.

Young Adult Librarian Sierra Hurd Hosts Escape Room at Our House...

pprochourhouse@gmail.com — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 21:14:32 GMT

Nantucket Public Schools has one half-day every month of the school-year and Our House takes it as an opportunity to open our doors to students starting at 12:00 instead of 2:30. We serve lunch, offer our regular activities to students, and occasionally, there is a special event. On Wednesday, January 22, 2024, the Young Adult Librarian from the Nantucket Atheneum hosted an incredible Escape Room based on the true story of the HMS Terror Shipwreck of 1845. Students cracked codes, solved puzzles, and eventually reached the end, where cupcakes were waiting! We are so grateful to Sierra and the Nantucket Atheneum for taking us back in time on such a fun and educational adventure!

Students us a UV flashlight to discover codes hidden on various flags.

Nantucket Cottage Hospital chooses Our House as Holiday gift recipient...

pprochourhouse@gmail.com — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 18:03:18 GMT

Nantucket Cottage Hospital dug deep this year after choosing Our House as their holiday nonprofit gift recipient. The young people who visit Our House, and the house itself, received thousands of dollars in clothing, toys, gift cards, and needed supplies, thanks to the generosity of NCH staff. Student participation was optional and those who wanted to be included filled out a wishlist of their needs and likes, including any items they felt the house could use. Each student received at least one gift from their wishlist and Our House received many much-needed communal gifts. We are so incredibly grateful to the NCH for choosing us, thank you!

Hillary Reynolds drops off gifts with her colleagues to Pauline Proch and Our House students before the Holiday break.

WPI Students Visit Our House...

pprochourhouse@gmail.com — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 17:00:45 GMT

On Thursday night, we were delighted to welcome students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute for dinner and conversation. Our House students were able to hear from WPI students about their experiences in college, why they chose WPI, and their most recent participation in an annual research semester, one of the multiple off-campus options that the school offers. We were so grateful for the opportunity to make this connection and hope to welcome back future WPI students annually.

Our House students gather in the Great Room to hear from WPI students about their experiences on and off campus.

Founder and Owner of Northeast Maritime Institute visits Our House

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 15:40:50 GMT

On Tuesday, November 19th, Our House had the pleasure of hosting Angela Dawiki, Founder and Owner of Northeast Maritime Institute. This incredible and unique school is located in Fairhaven, MA, and is the only privately owned Maritime School in the country. Students had the chance to ask Angela questions about all aspects of the school, from the application process to student life, scholarship opportunities to academics, and career paths after graduation to student loans. We are excited to share that Our House will take students off the island to visit Northeast Maritime Institute later this school year. Stay tuned for updates about the trip and let us know if you are a student who is interested in visiting this wonderful campus! Thank you, Angela, for taking the time to meet with us and answer our questions.

Students gather and ask questions...

Nantucket Police Chief joins Our House for dinner

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 15:36:15 GMT

The Nantucket Police Chief, Jody Kasper, and her wife, Melissa Lake, a CPS guidance counselor, visited Our House last night and had dinner with our students and mentors. This was an excellent opportunity for our students to meet leaders in our community who are caring adults and great role models.

The Nantucket Police Chief, Jody Kasper, and her wife, Melissa Lake, a CPS guidance counselor, visited Our House last night and had dinner with our students and mentors. This was an excellent opportunity for our students to meet leaders in our community who are caring adults and great role models.

Students sign up students...

pprochourhouse@gmail.com — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 21:18:41 GMT

Students joined the Our House table at the High School to spread the word about what we offer and give other students the opportunity to register.

Elad Vazana joins students in conversation at Our House...

pprochourhouse@gmail.com — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 21:08:01 GMT

On Monday, September 30th, 2024 Our House students had the incredible honor to speak with Elad Vazana, an educator, artist, and peacebuilder from Israel who was on-island for The Nantucket Project. He shared with us his life-story and the inspiring social justice work that he believes so deeply in. Elad has dedicated the past 23 years of his life to introducing Palestinians and Israelis of diverse backgrounds, and encouraging them to find connections and reconciliation in shared interest and channels of expression such as art, music, and nature. We are so grateful to Elad for taking the time to speak with us and offer us his friendship by asking that we keep in touch.

On Monday, September 30th, 2024, Our House students had the incredible honor to speak with Elad Vazana, an educator, artist, and peacebuilder from Israel who was on-island for The Nantucket Project. He shared with us his life-story and the inspiring social justice work that he believes so deeply in. Elad has dedicated the past 23 years of his life to introducing Palestinians and Israelis of diverse backgrounds, and encouraging them to find connections and reconciliation in shared interest and channels of expression such as art, music, and nature. We are so grateful to Elad for taking the time to speak with us and offer us his friendship by asking that we keep in touch.

Our House Students attend the Nantucket Project

pprochourhouse@gmail.com — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 20:15:26 GMT

Several of our students had the opportunity to attend the Nantucket Project as Our House fellows over the weekend. The 2024 theme of TNP was Healing. We are so grateful for the chance to share this life-changing experience with some of our students.

Several of our students had the opportunity to attend the Nantucket Project as Our House fellows over the weekend. The 2024 theme of TNP was Healing. We are so grateful for the chance to share this life-changing experience with some of our students.

Sandy Craig Leadership Award presented to Pauline Proch

pprochourhouse@gmail.com — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:59:50 GMT

Pauline Proch pictured with Aimee Carew-Lyons and Craig Muhlhauser.

NET and NPS College visit Collaboration

pprochourhouse@gmail.com — Thu, 23 May 2024 17:08:00 GMT

NET and NHS College Trip Collaboration

Our House collaborated with NHS and NET this Spring to bring over 50 NHS students to college campuses including URI, UMASS Boston, UMASS Amherst, Bridgewater University, and UMASS Lowell.

Boys Soccer Team Dinner

pprochourhouse@gmail.com — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 20:54:04 GMT

Boys Soccer Team Dinner

Our House was delighted to welcome the Boys Soccer team to the table for dinner Thursday night.

Ed Hajim Event welcomes excellent turn-out.

pprochourhouse@gmail.com — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 17:42:38 GMT

Last week, we welcomed author and inspirational speaker, Ed Hajim, to talk about his most recent book.

Community Service Hours

pprochourhouse@gmail.com — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 16:59:13 GMT

Conversation with author Ed Hajim

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 18:30:53 GMT

Conversation with author Ed Hajim

New Paragraph

Mr Proch Drum and Jam Session

pprochourhouse@gmail.com — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 18:56:34 GMT

New Paragraph

Drum Circle/Jam Sesh

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 18:37:36 GMT

Pumpkin Carving

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:47:03 GMT

NHS STUDENTS, PLEASE JOIN US!

Pumpkin Carving and other fun at Our House, Nantucket

Thursday, October 20

3:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Dinner to follow at 6 p.m.

5 Wherowhero Lane

Please sign up ourhousenantucket@gmail.com

Cheerleaders Team Dinner

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:43:16 GMT

Nantucket Cheerleaders team enjoyed dinner at Our House with their Coaches two weeks in a row. We were happy to host them and look forward to next time.

Charitable Status and Fundraising Milestone

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:31:39 GMT

Our House Nantucket gains charitable status and achieves fundraising milestone.

The organization, which works to fill critical needs for local youth, has received 501(c)3 tax-exempt status from the federal government and has reached beyond the halfway point of a $1 million fundraising goal.

Our House Nantucket (“Ou r House”), an organization established in late 2021 to provide programs, resources, and mentorship for Nantucket high schoolers, has achieved three key milestones this Summer.

The Internal Revenue Service has approved Our House as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. This means that donations to Our House from individuals, businesses, or other organizations are tax-deductible charitable contributions.

Our House has already passed the halfway point of an ambitious $1 million two-year fundraising goal. A challenge grant from an anonymous donor will provide an additional $500,000 if the organization reaches its goal of $1 million by the end of 2023.

Our House has taken ownership of its property at 5 Wherowhero Lane. The property, purchased for Our House by child advocate Thekla Reese Shackleford in late 2021, had been owned by an LLC created by Shackelford until last week.

“Our House has great momentum,” said Shackleford, the volunteer founder of Our House. “Our charitable status and our early fundraising success demonstrate not only that Our House has an important mission, but also that Our House is winning votes of confidence at every turn.”

Our House was created in response to rapidly increasing needs among local youth. The rate of poverty among year-round youth has quadrupled in the past decade. Today, 40% of Nantucket high school students live at or near the poverty level.

“Our House began with a single act of generosity and vision,” said Pauline Proch, executive director of Our House. “Our work continues through the generosity of our growing community of donors. Their support is driving us forward in the work of designing programs, assembling resources, and recruiting volunteers that will help the young people of Nantucket on the path toward productive and fulfilling lives.”

“It has never been more important for our young adults to receive support in finding and exploring their passions and developing a path to a meaningful life,” said Michael Cozort, retired superintendent of Nantucket Public Schools and the program director at Our House. “Our House can do just that by providing a safe environment which connects them to their peers and to adults who can support and mentor them.”

“In my two decades of representing client organizations’ in their applications for tax-exempt status, this is the fastest turnaround time I have ever seen,” said Sharon Lincoln, a partner at the law firm of Casner & Edwards, LLP, who represents Our House. “It took less than a week for the IRS to approve Our House’s application.”

After the 2022-23 academic year starts on September 6, Our House will begin open enrollment of high school-aged young adults in its programs.

For the past year, the organization has been working with a select group of young adults to gather ideas on programs and resources that would benefit people their age.

Our House plans to be actively serving enrolled young adults by late October. Programs and resources will include mentorship, recreation, creative activity, homework help, college preparation, financial literacy, career planning, job placement, and community service opportunities. The end of every day at Our House will be centered around preparing and sharing a communal meal together.

Heartbeat of Nantucket Award

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:27:32 GMT

The Nantucket Rotary Club honored Our House Nantucket founders Pauline Proch and Michael Cozort with the Heartbeat of Nantucket Award. The award is given out periodically by the Nantucket Rotary Club to deserving members of the community. Recipients of the award make a profound difference in the lives of Nantucketers by exhibiting selfless community service, and embody the Rotarian motto of “service above self.”

Wherowhero Music Fest

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 15:13:43 GMT