Laura Meisenhelter, LCSW, is the Executive Director at North Shore Community Action Programs. She started at NSCAP in 2005 as the Deputy Director and has been the Executive Director since 2012. She has 30 years of experience in the not-for-profit world (Habitat for Humanity International and NSCAP), primarily in administration, and community and organizational development. She is committed to working for social and economic justice for the most vulnerable people in our society.

North Shore Community Action Programs is the designated anti-poverty agency for Peabody, Beverly, Danvers, and Salem, Massachusetts. NSCAP’s programs focus on empowering people to achieve social and economic stability through services and education in partnership with the community. NSCAP’s programs include: English for Speakers of Other Languages, Fuel Assistance, Energy Conservation, Emergency Family Shelter, Housing First, Homelessness Prevention, and Elder Home Health Care.

Laura has a B.A.f from Rutgers University (German and 9-12 Teacher Certification), an Master’s of Social Work from Salem State College and is a Licensed Certified Social Worker in the state of Massachusetts.

Laura lives in Beverly. She loves to cook and has become “that crazy cat lady.” She adopts elderly cats and gives them a loving home for their remaining years. She currently takes care of Blue (10 years), a Siamese/tabby mix, and Mr. Pants (14 years), a long-haired Himalayan.