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Serving Rockingham, Strafford

&  Southern York Counties

 



November 2015

 

Last night, Cross Roads House provided shelter to 83 individuals, including four people who served in the military. Last year we provided shelter to 40 people who served in the military.

 

On this Veteran's Day, Cross Roads House would like to thank all those who have proudly served our country.

 
Quick Links



 
You can reach us at 
603-436-2218


FAQ 
 
 

Seasonal Needs


Immediate Needs
 
Walmart and gas gift cards

Diapers, Size 4

Combs/Brushes

Tissues

Razors
 
Shaving Cream
 
 
Pantry Needs
 
Pasta sauce
 
Coffee
 
Sugar
 
Baking mixes (cake, brownies, etc.)
 
Snack packs (chips, granola bars, crackers, etc.)
Together at Last
    
When Nate arrived at Cross Roads House he was alone and hoping to reunite with his two young children who had been removed from their mother's home and placed in foster care. With the assistance of his case manager, Nate was able to connect with a multitude of community resources and put his family back together. Nate is now living in our family transitional shelter program with his son and daughter, working hard, and saving for permanent housing.  

"I had nowhere to go and this place took me in and helped get my family back. I probably wouldn't have my children if it wasn't for this place."

With your help, Cross Roads House can continue to help people like Nate and his family get back on their feet and into permanent housing.

Cross Roads House relies on the generosity of our friends in the community to provide shelter, food, programs and supportive services to families and individuals experiencing homelessness in the Seacoast area. We are grateful for this support as three quarters of our funding comes from private donations.

As the holiday season approaches, please consider making a tax deductible donation before the end of the year. You can donate online or by check to Cross Roads House, 600 Lafayette Rd, Portsmouth, NH 03801.

Click here to read more about Nate.

In Memorium
James W. McCarthy

We are deeply saddened to share the news that Jim McCarthy, a member of our Board of Directors, passed away on October 22, 2015. Jim joined the Cross Roads House Board of Directors in 2010. He was a member of our finance committee and, most recently, served as Board Treasurer.

Jim's first involvement with Cross Roads House was as a sponsor of our annual "Benefit by the Sea" gala in 2004. In the years since, Jim's steadfast support of Cross Roads House was evident. Each year he introduced many new supporters to Cross Roads House by inviting them to attend our annual event as his guests.

In 2007, Jim was among the most generous donors to our capital campaign. The reception and welcome area in the shelter are named in honor of Jim's company, Seascape Capital Management. The dedication plaque in the shelter lobby will forever remind us of Jim's tremendous generosity, compassion, and dedication to Cross Roads House. 

Jim will be missed by his family, friends, and all those touched by his giving spirit.

Click here to view Jim's obituary on Seacoast Online.
2015 Leadership Giving and 
Legacy Society Reception
Pictured left to right are Mary and Ted Robbins and Bev and Matt Tilley at the Leadership Giving and Legacy Society Reception. 

Cross Roads House held its annual Leadership Giving and Legacy Society Reception on October 21, 2015, at The Atlantic Grill in Rye. The annual event is an opportunity for the Cross Roads House Board of Directors and staff to personally recognize and thank society members for their generous support of the shelter.

The Leadership Giving Society recognizes donors who have contributed $1,000 or more in the last fiscal year. Legacy Society members have included support of Cross Roads House as part of their will or trust. 

During the reception, Board President Suzanne Bresette spoke about the past year's accomplishments. She noted that last year resident lengths of stay decreased by 24% allowing Cross Roads House to serve a total of 552 individuals, 18% more people than the previous year.

Executive Director Martha Stone shared that in the past year, Cross Roads House has started to provide services through two Rapid Re-Housing grants, and has implemented two new instructional programs to help residents learn the basics of finding and keeping a home and job searching. 

It was wonderful to see all the individuals who were able to join us for the evening and we thank them for their tremendous support. 

Click here to view our photo gallery on Facebook. 

Click here to view our photo gallery on the Cross Roads House website. 

Special thanks to the Atlantic Grill in Rye for sponsoring this event!

Help Us Fill Our Holiday Gift Bags

Last year's holiday gift bags.
During the holiday season, Cross Roads House presents each adult resident with a gift bag (families are sponsored separately). Please help us fill these gift bags by donating items from the wish list below. In addition to providing gifts for our residents, financial donations are always needed to help fund shelter operations. Thank you for your generosity during this season of giving.

Unwrapped gifts can be dropped off or mailed to: Cross Roads House, 600 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801 by Tuesday, December 15th.

New Items:
  • Men's and Women's: Socks, Underwear, Thermal Underwear
  • Men's and Women's: Hats, Gloves, Rain Ponchos
  • Wallets, Watches, and Small Daily Planners
  • Bike Locks, Adult Bike Helmets
  • Toothbrushes, Tooth Paste, Dental Floss, Deodorant, Disposable Razors, Shaving Cream, Nail Clippers, Body Wash, and Shampoo
Gift Cards:
  • Walmart
  • Rite Aid
  • Gas Stations
  • Grocery Stores
  • Dollar Stores
  • Fox Run Mall
  • Movie Cinemas
  • Bowl-O-Rama
  • Coast & C & J Busses
  • Taxis
  • Local Restaurants

Questions? Contact Jessica Parker at 603-436-2218 ext. 112 or j.parker@crossroadshouse.org.
2015 Annual Report Available Online


The Cross Roads House 2015 Annual Report is now available for viewing on our website. Included in the report are resident stories, a financial summary for fiscal year 2015, a listing of our generous donors, and more.

Pease 'N Carrots Holiday Food Drive
Begins Monday, November 23rd


The 8th Annual Pease 'n Carrots Holiday Food Drive will begin on Monday, November 23rd and continue through New Year's Eve. 

Philbrick's Fresh Market grocery carts will be strategically positioned at locations throughout the Pease Tradeport to collect non-perishable food items for Cross Roads House and the Seacoast Family Food Pantry. Donations can also be made by check to either beneficiary.

We would like to extend a special thank you to everyone who will participate in this year's Pease 'N Carrots Food Drive. Whether you are donating food, volunteering to be a drop off site, or delivering donations to the shelter, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Donations we receive from the Pease 'N Carrots Food Drive are used by our volunteers who prepare more than 22,000 meals annually!

For more information, click here, or contact Mark Sullivan at 603-766-1955, or MSullivan@SeacoastAssetMgt.com.

Volunteer Orientation - November 12, 2015 

Interested in volunteering at Cross Roads House?

 

Volunteers from Coolcore preparing dinner for CRH residents.

 

Seven nights a week, our volunteers prepare and serve dinner to our residents.

 

Find out how you can become a volunteer by attending Volunteer Orientation on Thursday, November 12, 2015 from 5:30-6:30 pm at the shelter. This will be the last orientation session of the calendar year. Our first Volunteer Orientation of 2016 will be held on Thursday, January 14th. Orientation includes a shelter tour, an overview of kitchen operations, and volunteer expectations. 

 

If you have any questions about volunteering or about our orientation program, e-mail JoAnn Rohde at j.rohde@crossroadshouse.org or call 603-436-2218 ext. 107. Pre-registration for orientation is not required. 

 

Please Note:  Volunteers must be over 18 and out of high school to volunteer at the shelter   

 

Click this link for driving directions and parking instructions. 

Thank you!

Thank you Bank of America Charitable Foundation for your generous grant of $7,500 to support shelter operations. Pictured above are Jessica Parker, Marketing and Development Coordinator, and Cross Roads House Board member Kathryn Drew, Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor, at Merrill Lynch/Bank of America Corporation.

Thank you Piscataqua Garden Club for providing funding to decorate the front entry of our shelter and purchase pumpkins to paint with our young residents on Halloween.

Thank you Friends Forever for baking delicious cupcakes for our residents.

Thank you St. Thomas Aquinas for volunteering to spruce up the shelter this month.

Thank you Seacoast Science Center for presenting part two of a four part educational series for our young residents. They learned so much about whales.

Thank you Northeast Division of Zurich Direct for volunteering to clean up the inside and the outside of the shelter.
Cross Roads House
600 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Ph  603.436.2218  Fax  603.430.9217
www.crossroadshouse.org