new logo

Serving Rockingham, Strafford

&  Southern York Counties

 



December 2015

Last night, Cross Roads House provided shelter to 89 individuals, including 11 families with 16 children.

 
Quick Links



 
You can reach us at 
603-436-2218


FAQ 
 
 

Seasonal Needs


Immediate Needs
 
Walmart and gas gift cards

Diapers, Size 4 & 5

Tissues

Razors
 
Shaving Cream
 
 
Pantry Needs
 
Pasta sauce
 
Coffee
 
Sugar
 
Baking mixes (cake, brownies, etc.)
 
Snack packs (chips, granola bars, crackers, etc.)
"It's a fresh slate for all of us."
Paul, Melissa, and their children on their last day at Cross Roads House.
   
Melissa, Paul, and their three children arrived at Cross Roads House in late November 2014. Melissa said her family became homeless when she lost her job and the family was unable to afford rent.

"I lost my job and I was trying to pick up another job, but it wasn't nearly the hours or the pay. About two months later we got evicted because we couldn't pay the rent. The small job I had at the time did not pay enough. It was barely enough for diapers. I took something because it was better than nothing, but ... financially it just wasn't enough."

Throughout their stay at Cross Roads House, Melissa and Paul worked closely with their case manager Kelly to set goals and connect with community resources. "It's someone giving you positive motivation and positive accountability. She helped with a lot of the overwhelming housing paperwork. We're still working on getting my son [disability benefits] for his autism."

In late October, the family moved to permanent housing.

Melissa said she was excited to start over in their new home. "It makes you proud that you're back on track - that no matter how little money you do have, you're using that money to pay your bills and keep that roof over your kids' heads. It brings that sense of pride back. Like you're providing for your family a little bit better now."

Melissa is proud of all the hard work she and her family did to get back on their feet. "I feel like we worked hard to get here. I think it's a fresh slate for all of us." 

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

There is still time to make a tax deductible donation to Cross Roads House before the end of the year. We rely on the generosity of the community to provide shelter, food, programs and supportive services to families and individuals experiencing homelessness in the Seacoast area. This year, three quarters of our funding will come from private donations.

You can donate online or by check to Cross Roads House, 600 Lafayette Rd, Portsmouth, NH 03801.

Help Us Fill Our Holiday Gift Bags
There's still time... 

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 HOMELESS MEMORIAL CANDLELIGHT VIGIL 

Monday, December 21st, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.
Market Square, Portsmouth 



Please join us for a candlelight vigil on Monday, December 21st, to pay tribute to those in our community who have lost their lives due to the hardships of homelessness. The event is open to the public. 
 
When: December 21, 2015 at 5:30 pm
 
Where: In front of the North Church, Market Square,                          Portsmouth
 
What: A candlelight memorial service including remarks from            speakers.
 

Amy Dutton Home Shop Open House
to Benefit Cross Roads House

The Amy Dutton Home Shop is hosting an Open House on Wednesday, December 9th, from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., and ALL proceeds will be donated to Cross Roads House!

The shop specializes in products for the home such as great hostess gifts, home accessories and accents, rugs, lighting, furniture and much more. 

The shop has been a strong supporter of Cross Roads House as they believe, "Everyone Deserves a Home!"

The Amy Dutton Home Shop is located at 9 Walker Street, Kittery, Maine. For more information, please call (207) 703-0696, e-mail amy@amyduttonhome.com, or visit www.amyduttonhome.com.
Pease 'N Carrots Holiday Food Drive

The 8th Annual Pease 'n Carrots Holiday Food Drive will continue through New Year's Eve. 

Philbrick's Fresh Market grocery carts are strategically positioned at locations throughout the Pease Tradeport to collect non-perishable food items for Cross Roads House and the Seacoast Family Food Pantry. Click here to see a list of drop off locations. 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.

Click here to see a list of participating companies and drop off sites.
Turn your used clothing into cash for Cross Roads House

Pull right up and drop off your used clothing and shoes at our new Planet Aid box (pictured above), conveniently located in the Cross Roads House parking lot, 600 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth. 

Turn your used clothing and shoes into a cash donation for Cross Roads House! Bring your bagged used clothing and shoes to the Planet Aid drop box located in the Cross Roads House parking lot, 600 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, and a quarterly cash donation will be made to the shelter, based on the weight of clothing received.

For many years, Cross Roads House has not accepted donations of used clothing. Now our supporters can donate used clothing and shoes to a worthy cause and help out Cross Roads House! Planet Aid accepts clothing and shoes in all conditions and recycles the items that cannot be re-purposed.

Click here for more information about Planet Aid. 

Volunteer Orientation - January 14, 2016 

Interested in volunteering at Cross Roads House?

 

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, January 14th from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the shelter. 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. 
Cross Roads House
600 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Ph  603.436.2218  Fax  603.430.9217
www.crossroadshouse.org