new logo

Serving Rockingham, Strafford

&  Southern York Counties

 



February 2016

Last night, Cross Roads House provided shelter to 88 individuals, including 11 families with 16 children.

 
Quick Links



 
You can reach us at 
603-436-2218


FAQ 
 

Immediate Needs
 
Walmart and gas gift cards
 
Nail Clippers
Baby wipes

Cough drops

Tissues

 
  
Pantry Needs
 
Pasta sauce
 
Coffee
 
Sugar
 
Baking mixes (cakes, brownies, etc.)
 
Snack packs (chips, granola bars, crackers, etc.)
"I'm taking my life back."

Pictured left to right are Dan Mitchell, Director of Operations, and Shawn.
   
Over the summer, Shawn arrived at Cross Roads House. He was struggling with misdiagnosed mental illness and very extreme side effects from the medications he was taking. "I had been misdiagnosed with schizophrenia and I was on the wrong medication which was making everything so much worse. It was making me delusional to the point I was experiencing something that you shouldn't if you don't have that problem."
 
Shawn came up with a plan to end his life. He loved swimming, so he planned to swim out into the ocean and not come back. "I had just thrown in the towel. I talked to a homeless outreach person [from Seacoast Mental Health Center] on the phone and gave her my will, and she ended up calling the police on me and had me court ordered to be put in the hospital."
 
When he was released from the hospital, Shawn had nowhere to go. "When I left the hospital, I needed a place to go, and Cross Roads House had helped me before, in the past. But this time, I was really, really stuck. I had nothing, no one, no car, and no money - no anything. I had considered myself dead."
 
Shawn said his first couple of weeks back at Cross Roads House were hard. He was still thinking about suicide and the medication change made at the hospital was helpful, but still not quite right. Staff worked with Shawn's other care providers from the hospital and Seacoast Mental Health Center to coordinate care for him. "I met this great doctor through the homeless outreach person. He identified that I had something simple that was being misdiagnosed, which was straight up bipolar disorder. I have ADHD which just amplifies all that. Through the next few months, things were pretty tough but I finally got my medicine changed. Less is more in this case with me."
 
Shawn credits the team he was working with for sticking with him during the tough times. "The support of [Case Manager] Theresa and [Director of Operations] Dan - regardless of whether or not I wanted their support - they were there, and I'm grateful. For four months I was here, totally lost. Everybody here knew who I was before I knew. There was a lot more concern for me than I realized."
 
In October, Shawn started making some very positive changes. "I woke up one day and I'm like 'I'm taking my life back. I'm not going to sit here and do this anymore.' Within a week I got a job, a car, started saving money, started looking at things differently. My outlook changed."
 
Because Shawn was working so hard and meeting his case management goals, he was eligible to participate in our Transitional Shelter Program. "They decided to put me in Phase II and let me stand on my own a little bit. After I was given that little bit of independence and trust back, it made a huge difference for me."
 
Shawn continued to work with his case manager Theresa. On February 3rd, Shawn moved into his own apartment. "My new apartment is awesome. I wouldn't have gotten that apartment without the resources from my case manager."
 
Shawn is starting a new job and has a positive outlook for the future. He would like to go to school to study social work. He said that one thing is certain. "I know that I'm going to do whatever I can to give back because without this place I would have either been dead or in jail."
 
Shawn appreciates the caring, individualized attention and assistance he received from staff and volunteers. "As much as I wanted to end my life, I'm grateful for what I have now. I'm glad that everybody intervened. I wouldn't have gotten the help that I needed if I wasn't here."
Downton Abbey's Jim Carter, to Perform at CRH and The Music Hall
  
Click above for a brief message from Jim Carter
Click above to hear a brief message from Downton Abbey's Jim Carter.

We are thrilled to announce that Jim Carter, who plays Carson, the Butler on Downton Abbey, will be performing a special, private magic show, for the residents at Cross Roads House next week. Carter, will be joined by humanitarian aid worker Linda Cruse, and ventriloquist, entertainer and singer/songwriter, Lesley Smith.

Carter, Cruse and Smith are in the Portsmouth area for a benefit performance at The Music Hall on Thursday, February 18, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from the evening's performance will provide assistance for victims of the Nepalese earthquakes of 2015. Partial proceeds from tickets for this event purchased by Cross Roads House supporters will also provide financial assistance to the shelter.

To reserve your tickets and have partial proceeds from your purchase benefit Cross Roads House, please call or visit the Music Hall Box Office at (603) 436-2400 and mention Cross Roads House. Please note, online ticket purchases are not able to be credited to CRH.
  
Carter is passionate about making a difference and has collaborated with Linda Cruse to start WandAid, whose proceeds go to The Linda Cruse Foundation. WandAid uses magic, music and entrepreneurs to bring joy and recovery to the 'forgotten people' at home and abroad. It aims to empower challenged communities impacted by natural disaster, political crisis and disadvantage so that children and families can rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
  
For more information about "An Evening with Downton Abbey's Jim Carter (Carson the Butler) to Benefit Nepal" at the Music Hall, click here.
15th Annual Comedy Xxtravaganza to
Benefit Cross Roads House                   


Give the gift of laughter this Valentine's Day! The Portsmouth Music Hall will be hosting Mike McDonald's 15th Annual Comedy Xxtravaganza on Friday, February 12th at 8 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the show will be donated to Cross Roads House and Seacoast Family Food Pantry. Click here for more information about the show. To purchase tickets for this event, click here or call the Music Hall Box Office at (603) 436-2400. 
 Help our families enjoy Winter Break
 
One of our young residents playing outside the shelter.

Winter Break is fast approaching for our school aged residents. You can help our families take a break from the shelter and enjoy some quality time together by donating gift cards for the following destinations:
Please contact Jessica Parker at (603) 436-2218 ext. 112 or email j.parker@crossroadshouse.org if you have any questions. Thank you!

Volunteer Orientation - February 11, 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, February 11th, or Thursday, March 10th, 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. 

Thank You! 


Thank you Portsmouth Regional Hospital for donating $5,000 to Cross Roads House. Pictured above are Dean Carucci, Portsmouth Regional Hospital CEO, and Martha Stone, CRH Executive Director.


Thank you to the Portsmouth High School Service Learning Class for making 90 twin sized blankets for our residents. Additional thanks to PolarTech of Lawrence, Massachusetts for donating the rolls of fleece. Pictured above from left to right are Portsmouth High School students Molly McDevitt, Ali Nelson, Maddy West, and Drew Dickinson.


Thank you North Hampton Home Depot for donating a new microwave and set of pots and pans for one of our residents who is moving to permanent housing!! Pictured are Jennifer Gladhill, Assistant Store Manager, North Hampton Home Depot, and Jessica Parker, Marketing and Development Coordinator.

 

 

 

Thank you Portsmouth Home Depot for collecting wish list items for our residents this holiday season. Pictured above are Jason Sterry, Sandy Daniels and Kerry Valrand.

 

SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, May 7, 2016 


Save the date for our 14th Annual Benefit by the Sea gala event on Saturday, May 7th at 6:00 pm at the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel. The event includes a cocktail hour, formal dinner, dancing and live music by the Center Stage band, and an opportunity to make a pledge of support for Cross Roads House. Dress is black tie optional.
  
Cross Roads House relies on private philanthropy for three quarters of its annual operating budget. The Benefit by the Sea event is a vital part of securing the necessary funds to continue providing shelter and life changing services for the homeless in our community.
For more information about tickets or sponsorships, contact Jessica Parker at (603) 436-2218 ext. 112 or j.parker@crossroadshouse.org.
Cross Roads House
600 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Ph  603.436.2218  Fax  603.430.9217
www.crossroadshouse.org