The Homeless Center for Strafford County (HCSC) is a seasonal shelter providing safety, support and self-sufficiency to women, children and families of our community.
Can you spare a few hours to volunteer?
Volunteers participate in training at the shelter.
Rochester, NH – The Homeless Center for Strafford County, a seasonal emergency shelter for children and families, is gearing up for a busy fall and winter season and is seeking new volunteers to assist at the shelter.
“Committed volunteers are the backbone of our organization,” states Susan Ford, executive director of HCSC. “We need compassionate volunteers with a strong desire to give families who are going through a stressful time a warm and safe environment.”
The shelter is open from the first Monday in October through the first Monday in May. Volunteers are needed for shifts during the day, and in the evening. Shifts range from 3 to 4.5 hours at a time, any of the seven days a week. Volunteers are encouraged to select a consistent shift that works best for their schedule. To qualify for a volunteer position, you must attend a new-volunteer training session designed to familiarize volunteers with homelessness in general, and specific rules and guidelines at HCSC. Due to the safe and secure environment provided to homeless families, you must have a current background check on file to begin volunteering.
Duties at the shelter provide meaningful opportunities for volunteers who may wish to read to children, organize the latest food donation, answer phones in the office, update the computer database, fix a minor house repair, help a child with their homework, write thank you cards, prepare a meal, or share their own talents and skills.
“Without our devoted pool of volunteers, the shelter could not operate,” says Kelli Cicirelli, retired president of the Board of Trustees, “It is their time, energy and talent that makes the shelter’s mission possible.”
The Homeless Center of Strafford County is a seasonal shelter that serves women, children, and families during the coldest fall and winter months. A tenet of the shelter strives to promote self-sufficiency through empowerment, case management, and transitional housing. Contact us today for a meaningful volunteer opportunity.
“Committed volunteers are the backbone of our organization,” states Susan Ford, executive director of HCSC. “We need compassionate volunteers with a strong desire to give families who are going through a stressful time a warm and safe environment.”
The shelter is open from the first Monday in October through the first Monday in May. Volunteers are needed for shifts during the day, and in the evening. Shifts range from 3 to 4.5 hours at a time, any of the seven days a week. Volunteers are encouraged to select a consistent shift that works best for their schedule. To qualify for a volunteer position, you must attend a new-volunteer training session designed to familiarize volunteers with homelessness in general, and specific rules and guidelines at HCSC. Due to the safe and secure environment provided to homeless families, you must have a current background check on file to begin volunteering.
Duties at the shelter provide meaningful opportunities for volunteers who may wish to read to children, organize the latest food donation, answer phones in the office, update the computer database, fix a minor house repair, help a child with their homework, write thank you cards, prepare a meal, or share their own talents and skills.
“Without our devoted pool of volunteers, the shelter could not operate,” says Kelli Cicirelli, retired president of the Board of Trustees, “It is their time, energy and talent that makes the shelter’s mission possible.”
The Homeless Center of Strafford County is a seasonal shelter that serves women, children, and families during the coldest fall and winter months. A tenet of the shelter strives to promote self-sufficiency through empowerment, case management, and transitional housing. Contact us today for a meaningful volunteer opportunity.
MissionSince 1998, the Homeless Center for Strafford County (HCSC) has provided safe and supportive seasonal, overnight shelter to woman, children and families in Strafford County, New Hampshire. A secondary objective of HCSC is to empower the homeless through professional case management, referral services, and transitional housing. The Center's commitment goes far beyond simply providing a roof over a family’s head, but strives to provide families with the tools they need to get back on their feet, and into permanent, sustainable housing.
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Donating to The Shelter
The need is so great. More than half of our residents at any given time are children, and the Homeless Center is often full. During the harshest months of the year, homeless families who would otherwise be out in the cold, find a warm and welcoming environment at the shelter. We depend upon generous donations from individuals, businesses, and the community to operate. Please consider making a donation today. Your support provides a helping hand to families working towards a better tomorrow.
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Resources for the Homeless
HCSC helps single women, single parents (with legal birth certificates or court appointed guardians of children), families (married or not married, both adults must be legal parents of children entering The Shelter & must have birth certificates proving they are legal parents).
In order to become eligible for stay at HCSC, applicants must first go through Coordinated Access (603.516.8143) or their local welfare office to obtain a referral. To maintain our safe environment, we do not accept walk-ins. To start the process, please visit the Resources and Links page to obtain the proper contact information.  |
VolunteerMore than 50 community volunteers are the backbone of The Shelter, sharing the gift of time and compassion. We always welcome new volunteers. What a great way to make a difference in your community. Read More
NON DISCRIMINATION POLICY It is the policy of the Homeless Center for Strafford County (HCSC) to serve all individuals who are eligible for its programs without regard to any non-merit factor. Accordingly, HCSC does not tolerate discrimination by its employees/volunteers when they are serving individuals who are eligible for its programs based on any non-merit factor, including race, national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability (physical or mental), age, status as a parent, or genetic information. All of HCSC's employees and volunteers are responsible for complying with this policy in discharging their job duties. Individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination on an aforementioned prohibited basis should contact the Executive Director at 603.332.3065 or by mail at PO Box 7306, Rochester, NH 03867. If there is a finding of non-compliance with the non-discrimination policy set forth above, appropriate disciplinary action, ranging from counseling to termination, will be taken against the employee/volunteers who violated the policy. |
