Volunteer at Cross Roads House

Help Your Neighbors on the Seacoast

Volunteers are vital to the success of the programs at Cross Roads House. Our volunteers help us provide life-changing assistance to the hundreds of homeless men, women, and children we serve each year.

We are always looking for new volunteers to share their time and talents. Your contribution will help us continue to be a safe and welcoming place for our residents.

Anyone interested in making a difference by volunteering at Cross Roads House must complete a one-hour volunteer orientation session, held monthly at the shelter.

Upcoming Volunteer Orientations

Onsite Volunteer Orientation is currently suspended. Please check back in August 2021 for updates. Email volunteer@crossroadshouse.org for more information. Thank you.

Important Notes About Volunteering:

Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older and out of high school.
A background check is required to work with children.
A valid driver’s license is necessary for any transportation-related positions. Access to a truck or SUV is ideal. Transportation positions may include heavy lifting.
You do not need to pre-register for an orientation session.

Volunteer Opportunities

We’re looking for help from volunteers in the following areas:

Cooking & Serving Meals

Prepare and serve breakfast or dinner meals for our residents. Some kitchen experience is helpful for this opportunity. Volunteers will work closely with our Kitchen Coordinator.

Child Care

Provide child care for some of our young residents while their parents attend meetings or skill-building workshops at the shelter. Typically, two to three volunteers work together to provide child care for a small group of children, but one-on-one care may be needed. All childcare is provided on-site, in public areas of the shelter.

Donation Pickups

Transport donations from locations throughout the community to Cross Roads House. Donations vary in size and quantity and may include prepared food, bikes, or other large items.

Moving Assistance

Help shelter residents by picking up and transporting their belongings from Cross Roads House or an off-site storage unit to their new home.

Professional Skills

Ensure our residents have access to a wide range of services by sharing your expertise. Some services include yoga instruction, haircuts, tax preparation, credit repair classes, and more. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator to discuss an opportunity that’s right for your skillset.

Group Service Days

If your company, church group, or organization is interested in helping Cross Roads House, we’d love to host you for a group day of service. We regularly need help with landscaping, painting, cleaning, and other tasks that help maintain the shelter. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator to discuss this opportunity.

Donations

If you’re unable to volunteer, there are many other ways you can help!

Donations are greatly appreciated, as two-thirds of our funding comes from private contributions. Additionally, you can purchase items from our Wish List to help provide items our residents need to get back on their feet and into permanent housing.

You can see more ways to donate here.

Contact Us for More Information

For more information about volunteering at Cross Roads House, please complete the form below or contact Kristina Siegenthaler, Volunteer Coordinator, at k.siegenthaler@crossroadshouse.org or 603-436-2218 ext. 107.

Volunteer

Frequently Asked Questions

General Volunteering

Can I track my volunteer hours to fulfill a community service obligation?

You may track volunteer hours served at the shelter to fulfill a community service obligation. You must alert the Volunteer Coordinator prior to volunteering if you are required to provide proof of hours served. Please contact us to determine whether our volunteer opportunities will fit your needs. Please Note: Volunteers are required to be 18 years of age or older and out of high school.

How long do I need to commit to volunteering?

There is no requirement. We appreciate any and all help you can offer. Whether you can only commit to 1 day a year or 1 day a week, we would love for you to join our volunteer team!

Do I have to register for a volunteer orientation?

There’s no need to pre-register! All orientations take place at our shelter, which is located at 600 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH, 03801.

Volunteer Orientation

Is volunteer orientation required? What if I can’t make it?

All volunteers must attend an orientation. Our orientations are held at 5:30 p.m., which is during dinner time at our shelter and the time when we need volunteer help the most. We often alternate the days of the week that orientations are held to accommodate different schedules. We do not host individual volunteer orientations.

What should I expect from a volunteer orientation?

During orientation, you’ll take a tour of the shelter, learn about our programs and services, get an overview of the kitchen operations, and hear about the expectations we have for our volunteers. You’ll also be able to ask any questions you may have.

Do I have to register for a volunteer orientation?

There’s no need to pre-register! All orientations take place at our shelter, which is located at 600 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH, 03801.

Volunteer Positions & Shifts

I don’t see a volunteer role that’s right for me. Is there anything else I can help with?

We are so happy you want to help! Please contact us if you have specific questions or would like to contribute in a way that’s not listed on our website.

How long are volunteer shifts?

This will depend on the volunteer role. Serving and cooking meals are 2-hour shifts. Roles that are on an as-needed basis will have varying time requirements.

How do I sign up for a volunteer shift?

Once you’ve attended an orientation, our volunteer coordinator will be in touch with you via email to share dates and times when volunteers are needed.