About Us

Our History

The Greater Nashua Council on Alcoholism, Inc., more commonly known as Keystone Hall, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide the chemically dependent person to take responsibility towards recovery through professional quality counseling and services in a caring, safe environment.  The agency was founded in 1983 by Paul Lacasse, a NH native, Merrimack resident and former marine who dedicated most of his life to social services.  

As soon as the crisis center opened, the need for expansion become evident and more and more individuals sought assistance. Four years later, the agency moved to a larger facility at 88 Pine Street. Keystone Hall quickly began to expand service offerings and become the first organization in the state to offer outpatient and residential programs to those in need of treatment. A transitional living program was added in 1990 to address the ongoing recovery efforts of homeless individuals who completed acute, residential treatments.

Several years later, after careful introspection of the agency’s current position and strategic planning, Mr. Swenson and Keystone Hall’s Board of Directors approached Harbor Homes—another local nonprofit agency leading the region’s effort to end homelessness--to discuss the opportunity to collaborate more closely. In 2003, Keystone Hall became an affiliate of Harbor Homes and the “Partnership for Successful Living” agencies.

Today

Today, it is the largest contractor of the New Hampshire Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services, providing evidence-based treatment and prevention services to more than 600 individuals each year, most freely of charge.

Current Situation

Currently located at 5 Pine Street Extension, in an old 16,000 square foot mill building, Keystone Hall has served more than 11,000 individuals. While this number may seem impressive, unfortunately, the agency is forced to turn away more than 1,000 people annually due to lack of space. 

Additionally, although the agency has the opportunity to provide several new critically needed initiatives, for nearly three years these programs have been put on hold due to the inability of the agency to locate a suitable facility to make their permanent home. Although a number of buildings were identified, pushback from residents and environmental issues prevented the agency from acting on them.

All of this changed in December of 2009, when a monumental opportunity presented itself. A large, 26,000 square foot commercial building situated on 1.5 acres located in Nashua on Route 101A/Amherst Street came on the market. The location itself is located on the city bus line just a few minutes’ drive to the highway and downtown. In short, it is the perfect permanent home for Keystone Hall; allowing the agency to double its capacity and quite frankly, save more lives than ever before. It is a dream decades in the making that we hope will become a much-needed reality in the coming months.

Our Leadership Staff

Peter Kelleher, President and CEO

Annette Escalante, Vice President

Jennifer Bois-Slattery, Director of Clinical and Administrative Services

Our Board of Directors

Edward B. Hall, Jr. (Ted), Chair
Thomas I. Arnold, III, Vice Chair
David Aponovich, Treasurer
Joel Jaffe, Secretary
Sister Lorraine Arsenault, p.m.
Robert Fischer
Alphonse Haettenschwiller
Betty Hall
Nicole Harrington
Father Richard Kelley
Robert Kelliher
Michael Kirby
Sean McGuinness
Naomi Moody
Capt. William Moore
Patrice O'Donnell
Pamela O'Neil
Dean Shalhoup
Trent Smith
Lynne Weihrauch
Betty J. Winberg