When a Dream as Big as This Becomes a Reality...
There are Thousands to Thank. For every one of the hundreds of donations, large and small, from each of you, for the generosity of dozens of area businesses, for the untold number of hours volunteered in planning and preparing for this day…and, for demonstrating, as a community, your belief in the dignity of providing help and shelter for the homeless among us...WE THANK YOU!
The Campaign for Cross Roads House
The Campaign for Cross Roads House is a $5 million dollar capital campaign that will fund the design and construction of a new facility, the renovation of our existing family shelter facility, and three year's worth of annual operating expenses.
Campaign Update
We moved into our new shelter facility in November 2009.
- All residents and staff are settled into our wonderful new facility.
- Our new playground was installed just in time before the ground froze.
- The old shelter building was demolished in December and the space is now being used for parking.
- Landscaping and paving will be done in the spring of 2010.
- We've begun preparing for the renovation of our existing family shelter building, the second phase of our project.
We still need your help! Fundraising continues as we strive to complete our goals:
- To renovate our existing family shelter facility
- To start an endowment fund to ensure that we can continue providing services
Ways to support the Campaign for Cross Roads House:
- Donate online: click here to make an on-line donation at our secure site
- Mail a Gift or Make a Pledge: click here to download our Gift Form (PDF) and mail to: 600 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth, NH 03801
- Make a Gift of Stock: If you would like to make a gift of stock, please contact Martha Stone at 603-436-2218 or Martha@crossroadshouse.org for transfer instructions.
- Include Cross Roads House in your Estate Plans: contact us for more information
- Call us with Questions or to Schedule a tour: Come see our new shelter facility! 603-436-2218 or info@crossroadshouse.org
History:
For over twenty years Cross Roads House has been providing shelter and services to hundreds of homeless adults and children each year. Since moving to its current location in 1986, it has grown to four buildings and over 100 beds. While these buildings have given protection from the elements…they all have inefficiencies and safety concerns for residents and staff. And despite much remedial work, the age, traffic and structural deterioration have lead to critical concerns that must be addressed.
In the last seven years, over half a million dollars has been spent on utilities and maintenance. In the future, much of this money and effort will instead be applied to helping our residents.
The Campaign will consolidate three old buildings into one, on the same property. One remaining building will be renovated, and the shelter will remain open during construction. The new facility will have slightly fewer beds, and reflect a greater emphasis on the transitional program, which has the greatest success in helping people move back to permanent housing.
The new facility will solve the multiple physical challenges that Cross Roads House faces, and also ensure the long-term viability of the shelter and its vital services.
Campaign Objectives:
The Campaign for Cross Roads House will make residents' time at the shelter safer, healthier, and shorter; and provide for the long-term survival of the program.
These are the four major objectives:
- Dramatic health and safety improvementsAdding a sprinkler system, proper ventilation, and handicapped-accessibility will make the shelter a safer and healthier place to stay. One main entrance to the shelter will be easily monitored by the staff.
- Improved kitchen and educational facilitiesA commercial grade kitchen will allow volunteers to cook on site, and the dining area will provide adequate seating for residents. Families will enjoy 24 hour access to kitchenettes. Additional classroom and counseling spaces will allow for new educational and supportive services.
- Restore dignity and reduce distractions through improved living quartersPrivate sleeping areas will be created for every family, and for individuals in the transitional program. Men and women will have separate living quarters.
- Reduce operating costs and environmental impactThe new facility will improve efficiency by reducing the number of bathrooms from 33 to 15, heating systems from 5 to 2, and using measures such as low-flow fixtures, fluorescent lighting, and a passive solar design.
Download the Campaign for Cross Roads House Brochure (PDF)
Want to learn more? Please contact us at 603-436-2218 or info@crossroadshouse.org