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General In the News Staff Profiles

Will Arvelo Announced as New CRH Executive Director

By Jessica Parker
Pictured above left to right are CRH Board President, Ben St. Jean, and new Executive Director, Will Arvelo.

Cross Roads House is excited to announce that Will Arvelo, has been hired to fill the role of Executive Director, effective September 13, 2021.

Cross Roads House Board President Ben St. Jean shared, “On behalf of the Board of Directors of Cross Roads House, and the Hiring Committee, I am pleased to announce that we have hired Will Arvelo as our new Executive Director. We believe that Will’s experience as a leader at the State level and at Great Bay Community College during a time of great change, coupled with his long-time residence in the Seacoast area, provide him with a strong understanding of the needs of the community, and the practical skills to help lead Cross Roads House as the challenges around homelessness in our area continue to evolve.”

Arvelo brings more than 30 years of experience working in the public sector where he developed skills in the areas of marketing, outreach and relationship building, strategic and budget planning, staff development, and fundraising. Arvelo served as Director of the Division of Economic Development for New Hampshire, where he focused on economic development issues including business and workforce development, as well as developing a state-wide strategic plan. Most recently, Will has focused on working with businesses owned by people of color and on creating pathways for getting resources to underserved communities as well as diversity, equity and inclusion activities. Prior to his position with the State, Will served as President of Great Bay Community College from 2007-2017.

“I am extremely excited to join the team at Cross Roads House. I look forward to using my skills and passion to improve our community by transforming the lives of men, women, and children in the Seacoast area who are experiencing homelessness. Working with the leadership team, staff, and Board, as well as our volunteers and generous donors, I hope to continue building on Cross Roads House’s legacy of leadership in ending homelessness in our community.”

Arvelo will begin as Executive Director on September 13, 2021. Long-time Executive Director, Martha Stone, plans to stay on for two weeks to assist in this transition. St. Jean explained, “Over the course of the next several weeks, we will be working to transition Will into his new role. We are extremely grateful to Martha Stone for her role in this transition, and more specifically for the last 17 years whereby she has helped Cross Roads House get to where it is today. Although there is much to learn and to gear up for, we are confident that Will has the drive and energy to rise to the challenges ahead.”

Stone commented, “I think Cross Roads House is incredibly fortunate to have found someone as skilled and compassionate as Will Arvelo to become the shelter’s next Executive Director. His dedication to the community, especially to those who are disadvantaged, make him a great fit. His impressive career and proven leadership will serve Cross Roads House well as the organization starts a new chapter. I’m pleased that I have been able to time my departure to include a smooth transition with Will. It gives me great peace of mind to know that such a capable leader has been hired to carry on the critically important services that Cross Roads House provides to those experiencing homelessness in our community.”

Arvelo also serves on several Boards throughout New Hampshire including the NHSPCA, the Business Alliance for People of Color (BAPOC-NH), NH Learning Initiative (NHLI), National Center for Competency-Based Learning (NCCBL), and NH Coalition for Business and Education (NHCBE).

“I am truly looking forward to this next chapter in my career,” said Arvelo. “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead Cross Roads House in its efforts to meet the needs of families and individuals with nowhere else to turn and provide them with the assistance they need to move from homelessness to a home of their own. I am excited to see what the future holds for Cross Roads House, and for the individuals and families it serves.”

Hundreds of men, women, and children who are experiencing homelessness seek emergency shelter and supportive services at Cross Roads House every year. In 2020, despite an ongoing affordable housing crisis and a global pandemic, Cross Roads House remained open 24/7, and helped 135 people move from homelessness to stable housing. The agency’s mission is to meet the immediate needs of homeless families and individuals, and to provide them with the tools and guidance they need to return to permanent housing.

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