With Our House, Nantucket’s Adolescents are Given an Opportunity to Thrive
As the adage goes, “necessity is the mother of invention.” Yet often, a dash of serendipity can go a long way, too. Thus was the case with the launch of Nantucket’s Our House, which supports young adults aged 14-18 years old. While the idyllic island is one of the most privileged resort enclaves in the U.S., it’s nonetheless home to a number of struggling teens. Enter Our House Executive Director Pauline Proch and philanthropist Thekla Shackelford — longtime Nantucket locals on a mission to uplift the area’s youth. At a summer 2024 Hinckley event held on the island, boat owners and friends of Hinckley learned about Our House and its vision.
The foundation of the non-profit is a beautiful 15-bedroom, 15-bath communal home — yet the name Our House is also an inclusive moniker celebrating the power of community. Similar to many businesses after the pandemic, Our House began with a growing concern around mental health. “Post Covid, we saw a lot of isolation among youth, especially aged 14 to 18. There’s been an alarming increase in anxiety, depression, and self-harm,” says Proch.
“We had a dream: Wouldn’t it be great if we could have a place young people could come to, where they could feel safe?”
After lunching together one afternoon, Proch casually mentioned the idea for Our House to Shackelford and shared a link to a real estate listing. As a former college counselor and business owner with a passion for helping youth, Shackelford suggested they visit the house immediately.
Soon enough, Shackelford purchased the property and Our House became reality. Since its inception, the non-profit’s reach has tripled in size. Future fund-raising will support a commercial kitchen, larger dining space, and additional programming. They also aim to keep Our House operating year-round, not just during the school year. “We created a program where kids could be with one another in an environment that doesn’t allow any drinking, smoking, or vaping,” Proch says. “And we require everybody to be respectful of the space, one another, and themselves.”
Currently, five to 20 students visit Our House every day after school. When Proch asked the teens what they most needed, the answer was “a place where they could relax and transition from the school day. We learned many students don’t sit down for dinner at all with an adult. It’s so important to share a meal and converse, without being glued to a phone. We never really thought it would happen.”
Yet the dream has been realized. These young adults are now learning their full potential, and the momentum of Our House is poised for further impact. As a supporter of the non-profit, Hinckley is also aiming to help raise awareness and funds.
To take part in Our House, all stigma is removed: there is no qualification process. “We don’t want the children labeled,” Shackelford says. “It’s open to everyone. We work with young adults, period,” Proch adds. “There is a higher power at work here. I believe Our House was meant to be. The kids are responsible for it, too, and they belong to it.”
Click here to learn more about Our House and support their efforts on Nantucket.
