Service CU Impact Foundation and Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity Partner to Build Two-Family Home in Rochester

Foster's Daily Democrat 

June 26, 2026, 5:09 a.m. ET 

• A Rochester, New Hampshire duplex is being built through a partnership between Habitat for Humanity and Service Credit Union's Impact Foundation. 
• The new homes will be provided to two families, including a single mother and a veteran firefighter. 
• Recipients of Habitat for Humanity homes must contribute 250 hours of "sweat equity" and receive an interest-free mortgage. 
• Service Credit Union's Impact Foundation donated $228,000 to the project to help address New Hampshire's housing needs. 

ROCHESTER — Lora Cooper — soon to be the recipient of a new home in Rochester, courtesy of a partnership between Habitat for Humanity and Service Credit Union's Impact Foundation — was busy working on the construction of that home the morning of June 25. 

"There is a misconception that Habitat for Humanity just gives away homes," said Jessica Hamilton, development director for the Southeastern New Hampshire Habitat for Humanity. "We do give our recipients an interest-free mortgage, but we also require they put in 250 hours of sweat equity. Those willing, end up with a new home they can call their own. We offer a hand up to deserving families, not a handout." 

Jessica Hamilton, development director for the Southeastern New Hampshire Habitat for Humanity, center, and Sarah Kuhl, foundation director for Service Credit Union, are seen June 25, 2026 in front of the Habitat for Humanity joint home that is being built in Rochester for two families. 

Cooper, is a single mom and who works with children with autism in an elementary school. Currently living in Laconia, she and her family are looking forward to being in a safe, permanent environment, and to being closer to family in Northwood. For Lora, who grew up in foster homes, the significance goes beyond proximity. 

The Cooper family: Front row: Brissa, BrynLeigh, Lora. Back row: Kegan, Cameron, with their dog, Zuki. 

"It's important to me that my kids get to know their aunt and cousin, as they never really got to know anyone in their family before," Cooper said. "It's a permanent thing. It's something where we can be forever. It's our home, and that word alone means so much, because I've never had that." 

Cooper is more than willing to put in those 250 hours of sweat equity time, along with the myriad of other volunteers working to build her home, a place she and her two daughters, Brissa, 15, and BrynLeigh, 11, will move into, tentatively next spring when it's finished. 

She also has adults sons, 21 and 20, who are "already off on their own journeys," she said. 

Hampton firefighter and family also get a home 

Kayyal family: Jason, Marissa and Oliver. The family dog is Phinn. 

The Rochester home, still under construction, is a duplex. A second family was recently selected for the other home in the new building. 

Hamilton said Jason Kayyal is in the New Hampshire Army National Guard on active-duty orders for flight training. "When not on active-duty, Jason’s full-time career is with the Hampton Fire Department, where he proudly serves the community as a firefighter," said Hamilton. 

Jason and his wife Marissa have a 1-year-old son, Oliver. 

Service Credit Union touts quality of the home 

Habitat for Humanity and Service Credit Union are helping two families acquire a home in a duplex under construction in Rochester. One of the recipients, Lora Cooper, is trying to work with an injured arm June 25, 2026 to get her required 250 hours of hands-on work into the project. 

"The home's material is ICF (Insulated Concrete Form), making it very energy efficient," said Sarah Kuhl, Impact Foundation director for Service Credit Union. "We are very excited to partner with Habitat for Humanity. Service Credit Union donated the proceeds of our spring gala to the project, about $228,000. We have supported the organization through donations for several years now and we wanted to go bigger." 

"My kids are excited," said Cooper. "They are a little hesitant about the move, but they really want this, too." 

Market Square Architects of Portsmouth is leading the project design. 

"This project in Rochester allows us to make a real, tangible difference for two families who need it most," Kuhl said. "We all hear that New Hampshire needs more housing, and we're taking that seriously." 

Habitat for Humanity and Service Credit Union offer two families a duplex home in Rochester. Volunteers from many companies work together June 25, 2026 to make it a reality.