Providing Shelter and Comprehensive Programming to help community members and vulnerable families
MISSION, VISION and VALUES
The Homeless Center for Strafford County (HCSC) provides community members and families with shelter, case management, and educational programs that lead to self-sufficiency and permanent housing.
Our Vision is to provide the best evidence based, two generational approach to eliminating community homelessness in a dignified and respectful manner.
The Homeless Center for Strafford County Operates with compassion and inclusivity resulting in:
Our Vision is to provide the best evidence based, two generational approach to eliminating community homelessness in a dignified and respectful manner.
The Homeless Center for Strafford County Operates with compassion and inclusivity resulting in:
- Safe Environment: Home-like, Secure, Clean, and Communal
- Community Connection: Engagement, Funding, Staffing, and Resource Sharing
- Effectiveness: Goal-Oriented and Family-Focused Educational Programs
HISTORYHCSC is a non profit 501 (c) 3 organization providing services for Community Members and Families during Fall, Winter and Spring months.
The Shelter was formed in 1998 by a group of committed citizens who recognized the desperate need for family shelter during the coldest months in New Hampshire. For the first 3 years, the shelter was located in the Salvation Army gym in Rochester NH as an overnight shelter. In the summer of 2001, Waste Management of New Hampshire donated the use of a "free leased" 6-bedroom residential home. Where we operate today. In 2019 and in 2020, 100% of our homeless residents served obtained permanent housing with our case management support! |
RESOURCES FOR THE HOMELESSHCSC helps community members and families from Strafford County and from the larger Seacoast Community. To begin entry please contact your local municipal welfare office. Conduct a full intake and we will accept entry via referral.
To maintain our safe environment, we do not accept walk-ins. Resources for housing, shelter, food, clothing and other supports can be sourced from any New Hampshire Phone by dialing 211 OR reach us weekdays at 332-3065 for intake appointments! . |
HCSC Board of Trustees
Tony Viel joined the HCSC Board in October 2019. Having been raised in Rochester and living most of his life there, he has a vast knowledge of the town and many of its residents. Tony has served on the Rochester Girls Softball Board in the past as well as coaching the team that at one time included each of his 3 daughters – Aimee, Amber and Nikki. He has a total of 33 years in the oil business, the last 24 being at Local Pride Heating Oil right in his hometown, holding the position of Operations Manager, establishing great relationships along the way due to both of those things. After being introduced to the HCSC in 2018 and attending the Annual Gala each year since, Tony wanted to be a part of such a great organization and do more with for the Shelter. He has offered his connections to the community and wants to help in any way possible. Tony and his wife Gina love to enjoy their pool, go hiking, boating, attend concerts and spend time with loved ones including 2 precious granddaughters, Makenna and Thea, who call him Papa T. Tony heads up the New Building Task Force.
Sharon Sewell joined the Shelter Board of Directors in July of 2018 and is the interim Board Treasurer and the appointed Board Recording Secretary. Sharon resides in Lebanon Maine and has worked for Eastern Propane and Oil for the past 27 years – currently as a Professional Sr. Business Analyst.
After volunteering for many boards and activities while raising her children and then taking a hiatus, she decided it was time to give back to the communities that have played such an important role in her life. “I have seen people close to me struggle with homelessness and long-term residence insecurity. "I feel as a community we need to assist families by providing a safe place to sleep at night while helping them achieve long term success.” Sharon sits on the rebranding committee and the fund raising committees and is designated as the board's secretary recording all meeting minutes.
Brian Therrien joined the Board of Trustees in 2014 and is one of the longest seated board members. He served many years as the board treasurer. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business Management from New England College and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. He is the Chief Financial Officer of Holy Rosary Credit Union. He lives in Dover and loves spending quality time with his wife, two daughters and two feline companions.
Kathleen (Kathe) Levesque joined the Board of Trustees in 2017, serving as the Board Secretary. She is the newly elected Board President for the 2018-2019 term. Kathleen grew up in the greater New York City area, where she pursued a bi-lingual business degree and worked in International Business Management Consulting prior to raising her family.
She has also lived in California, Oregon, and Maine prior to settling in Rochester in 2001. Kathleen is an executive administrator working with the command staff for Chief Robert Merner of the Portsmouth Police Department, where she has worked for 20 years. She started her career with the Department in the Family Services Division of Detectives, which gave her firsthand experiences with exploited and neglected children, families in crisis, and people who are marginalized. “I saw the importance of advocacy; New Hampshire has an engaged and thoughtful network of social service stakeholders. Often, it was the advocacy of individual law enforcement officers, and the collaborative efforts of providers that was the change agent in the life of individual children or families. Serving as a trustee for the Homeless Shelter allows me to help advance its mission, and provides opportunities for effective advocacy.” Kathy is the board president and also sits on both the strategic planning and executive committees.
Brant Dolleman joined the Board of Trustees in September 2018. While born and raised in Maine, he has been connected to Strafford County via friends and family throughout his life. He graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, with a bachelor’s degree in American Studies. Brant is a lieutenant with Dover Police Department, where he currently supervises the department’s Special Services Bureau. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, good food, reading, and playing soccer. He and his wife reside in the City of Dover. Brant heads the strategic planning committee and is the media contact for the Board of Trustees.
Jim Korth became a board member after becoming aware of the Homeless Center through his work at Turbocam, a huge supporter of our shelter. Jim was looking for an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our community members and as he learned more about the Center he offered his services. Jim has a background in engineering and resides with his wife Gail in Barrington New Hampshire where he enjoys lakeviews each day!. Jim sits on the strategic planning committee.
Rachel Gilman joined the HCSC Board of Trustees in 2015 and has served as Chair for their Annual Spring Fling. As a Realtor with over 20+ years of experience, Rachel is a community leader and advocate for families who need help finding affordable housing and gaining access to a permanent home.
Rachel has devoted her time helping causes she cares about, while also having an active role in raising her two children. She was a member of the PTA, an active parishioner of St. Leo's church in Gonic, kindergarten and CCD teacher, and Booster mom. She also served on the Board of Directors for Holy Rosary Credit Union and was past Treasurer.
Rachel is a licensed Realtor in NH at RSA Realty LLC. She and her husband Doug, who is retired from the PNSY, live on Merrymeeting Lake in New Durham. She has two grown children and two young grandchildren. Rachel is the Vice Chair of the Board, sits on the building committee and the fund raising committee.
Pete Martins and his wife Melissa became volunteers at the Homeless Shelter for Strafford County in January of 2018. Both of them are passionate for helping others and are happy to support the local community. They both enjoy spending time forming relationships with the residents of the shelter and helping with projects when needed. After a year of volunteering, Pete felt compelled to join the Board of Trustees and find a way to become more involved in the organization. He became a member in the winter of 2019. Pete is a Manufacturing Engineer at Pratt and Whitney in North Berwick, ME. Pete and his wife bought their first home in Barrington, NH in the fall of 2017 and happily share it with their dog, Bo, and two cats, Naya and Brook and their daughter. Peter sits on the strategic planning and rebranding committees.
Brooke Anderson Brooke's professional role is with Eastern Propane and Oil, Rochester, New Hampshire. Originally from Minnesota she completed her degree at the University of Minnesota Duluth and moved East to work in Public Relations and Community Relations. She became aware of the Homeless Center for Strafford County via a volunteer committee role; creating the rebranding of the new shelter building, "Home for Now'!
Christine Morris and her family reside in the Seacoast Area of New Hampshire. Christine Joined the Board in April of 2019. Christine is Adjunct Faculty at UNH in the APRN program, and is a full time Psychiatric APRN for a local health network. She brings expertise to our programming and helpful input to shaping how the Shelter provides services to those in recovery and to those community members experiencing mental health symptoms. Christine joined the Board of Trustees as an additional way to help her community!
Tony Viel joined the HCSC Board in October 2019. Having been raised in Rochester and living most of his life there, he has a vast knowledge of the town and many of its residents. Tony has served on the Rochester Girls Softball Board in the past as well as coaching the team that at one time included each of his 3 daughters – Aimee, Amber and Nikki. He has a total of 33 years in the oil business, the last 24 being at Local Pride Heating Oil right in his hometown, holding the position of Operations Manager, establishing great relationships along the way due to both of those things. After being introduced to the HCSC in 2018 and attending the Annual Gala each year since, Tony wanted to be a part of such a great organization and do more with for the Shelter. He has offered his connections to the community and wants to help in any way possible. Tony and his wife Gina love to enjoy their pool, go hiking, boating, attend concerts and spend time with loved ones including 2 precious granddaughters, Makenna and Thea, who call him Papa T. Tony heads up the New Building Task Force.
Sharon Sewell joined the Shelter Board of Directors in July of 2018 and is the interim Board Treasurer and the appointed Board Recording Secretary. Sharon resides in Lebanon Maine and has worked for Eastern Propane and Oil for the past 27 years – currently as a Professional Sr. Business Analyst.
After volunteering for many boards and activities while raising her children and then taking a hiatus, she decided it was time to give back to the communities that have played such an important role in her life. “I have seen people close to me struggle with homelessness and long-term residence insecurity. "I feel as a community we need to assist families by providing a safe place to sleep at night while helping them achieve long term success.” Sharon sits on the rebranding committee and the fund raising committees and is designated as the board's secretary recording all meeting minutes.
Brian Therrien joined the Board of Trustees in 2014 and is one of the longest seated board members. He served many years as the board treasurer. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business Management from New England College and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. He is the Chief Financial Officer of Holy Rosary Credit Union. He lives in Dover and loves spending quality time with his wife, two daughters and two feline companions.
Kathleen (Kathe) Levesque joined the Board of Trustees in 2017, serving as the Board Secretary. She is the newly elected Board President for the 2018-2019 term. Kathleen grew up in the greater New York City area, where she pursued a bi-lingual business degree and worked in International Business Management Consulting prior to raising her family.
She has also lived in California, Oregon, and Maine prior to settling in Rochester in 2001. Kathleen is an executive administrator working with the command staff for Chief Robert Merner of the Portsmouth Police Department, where she has worked for 20 years. She started her career with the Department in the Family Services Division of Detectives, which gave her firsthand experiences with exploited and neglected children, families in crisis, and people who are marginalized. “I saw the importance of advocacy; New Hampshire has an engaged and thoughtful network of social service stakeholders. Often, it was the advocacy of individual law enforcement officers, and the collaborative efforts of providers that was the change agent in the life of individual children or families. Serving as a trustee for the Homeless Shelter allows me to help advance its mission, and provides opportunities for effective advocacy.” Kathy is the board president and also sits on both the strategic planning and executive committees.
Brant Dolleman joined the Board of Trustees in September 2018. While born and raised in Maine, he has been connected to Strafford County via friends and family throughout his life. He graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, with a bachelor’s degree in American Studies. Brant is a lieutenant with Dover Police Department, where he currently supervises the department’s Special Services Bureau. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, good food, reading, and playing soccer. He and his wife reside in the City of Dover. Brant heads the strategic planning committee and is the media contact for the Board of Trustees.
Jim Korth became a board member after becoming aware of the Homeless Center through his work at Turbocam, a huge supporter of our shelter. Jim was looking for an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our community members and as he learned more about the Center he offered his services. Jim has a background in engineering and resides with his wife Gail in Barrington New Hampshire where he enjoys lakeviews each day!. Jim sits on the strategic planning committee.
Rachel Gilman joined the HCSC Board of Trustees in 2015 and has served as Chair for their Annual Spring Fling. As a Realtor with over 20+ years of experience, Rachel is a community leader and advocate for families who need help finding affordable housing and gaining access to a permanent home.
Rachel has devoted her time helping causes she cares about, while also having an active role in raising her two children. She was a member of the PTA, an active parishioner of St. Leo's church in Gonic, kindergarten and CCD teacher, and Booster mom. She also served on the Board of Directors for Holy Rosary Credit Union and was past Treasurer.
Rachel is a licensed Realtor in NH at RSA Realty LLC. She and her husband Doug, who is retired from the PNSY, live on Merrymeeting Lake in New Durham. She has two grown children and two young grandchildren. Rachel is the Vice Chair of the Board, sits on the building committee and the fund raising committee.
Pete Martins and his wife Melissa became volunteers at the Homeless Shelter for Strafford County in January of 2018. Both of them are passionate for helping others and are happy to support the local community. They both enjoy spending time forming relationships with the residents of the shelter and helping with projects when needed. After a year of volunteering, Pete felt compelled to join the Board of Trustees and find a way to become more involved in the organization. He became a member in the winter of 2019. Pete is a Manufacturing Engineer at Pratt and Whitney in North Berwick, ME. Pete and his wife bought their first home in Barrington, NH in the fall of 2017 and happily share it with their dog, Bo, and two cats, Naya and Brook and their daughter. Peter sits on the strategic planning and rebranding committees.
Brooke Anderson Brooke's professional role is with Eastern Propane and Oil, Rochester, New Hampshire. Originally from Minnesota she completed her degree at the University of Minnesota Duluth and moved East to work in Public Relations and Community Relations. She became aware of the Homeless Center for Strafford County via a volunteer committee role; creating the rebranding of the new shelter building, "Home for Now'!
Christine Morris and her family reside in the Seacoast Area of New Hampshire. Christine Joined the Board in April of 2019. Christine is Adjunct Faculty at UNH in the APRN program, and is a full time Psychiatric APRN for a local health network. She brings expertise to our programming and helpful input to shaping how the Shelter provides services to those in recovery and to those community members experiencing mental health symptoms. Christine joined the Board of Trustees as an additional way to help her community!
We are moving in Fall of 2021 to our new 5250 SF Building that will provide sheltering for 40 community members! Be on the look out for the brand new "Home for Now" building soon to be operating at 202 Washington St. Rochester, New Hampshire!
