The SHARE Fund Program (603) 335-0011 is a community outreach program focusing on providing emergency and temporary assistance with basic human living needs including shelter, food, clothing, basic utilities, health care access and other miscellaneous living needs not traditionally covered by existing governmental or community outreach organizations.

Description:
The SHARE Fund Program (603) 335-0011 is a non-profit 501-c(3) community outreach organization by virtue of the IRS designation as an activity of Holy Rosary Church. SHARE was founded to assist the less fortunate in the communities of the Greater Rochester, NH area with emergency basic human needs. SHARE focuses on providing assistance with food, clothing, basic utilities and affordable housing in areas not typically serviced by other agencies or organizations. We reach out to our brothers and sisters in need, to help them maintain dignity during difficult times, provide lifestyle guidance and direct them to other agencies, when eligible, thus maximizing aid.

SHARE interfaces with other outreach programs (i.e., City & State Welfare agencies, CAP, etc.) in an effort to manage and authenticate justifiable requests for assistance. In order to maximize available resources, and avoid duplication of effort with other outreach programs, individuals served by the SHARE Fund Program are required to first exhaust all other programs, for which they may qualify, before receiving aid. Many clients are referred to SHARE from other agencies when ineligible or their need exceeds the maximum allowable benefits.

One Hundred percent of all donations are distributed directly for emergency basic living needs of the less fortunate. All of us at the SHARE Fund Program are volunteers, (more than sixty-five people) thus eliminating any payroll. Operational expenses are paid for entirely by benefactors.

The SHARE Fund Program provides financial aid and housing location assistance; Caseworkers discuss and direct clients to permanent affordable housing when needed. Local landlord lists are provided to those in need of direction and interface with available low-income housing. With guidance from SHARE volunteers, applicants are usually able to locate affordable housing within a few days, thus avoiding homeless situations. Additional financial assistance is given in the form of security deposits and/or past due rent payments since other agencies are not typically funded to provide this type of aid. SHARE also provides assistance for temporary emergency lodging, medical prescriptions and equipment, and other miscellaneous aid on an individual need basis.

The SHARE Fund Program operates Gerry's Food Pantry located at the Rochester Community Center building. The pantry occupies space provided by the City of Rochester. Private benefactors pay for operational utilities. With the merger of the Rochester Emergency Pantry in March of 1995, Gerry's Food Pantry now supports the majority of food distributed in our community. The need for this service has grown substantially over the past few years.

The first project undertaken by SHARE Fund Program volunteers was the renovation of garage space owned and sponsored by St. Mary's Church, into a free-of-charge community clothing shop. Since it's completion in 1991 the Community Clothing Shop has distributed over 86,000 articles of clothing. In 2000 the operation was moved to a larger facility within the Rochester Community Center directly across from Gerry's Food Pantry.

SHARE volunteers come into the organization via word of mouth or from ads placed in area church bulletins. SHARE is currently staffed with approximately 65 volunteers depending upon the current activities and needs. Other volunteer activities include staffing for the Rochester Soup Kitchen and the Elderly Outreach Program.

The SHARE Fund Program is self-governed by a Board of Directors which meets quarterly to evaluate the effectiveness of the organization and to ensure the resources are managed properly.

SHARE enjoys an excellent reputation in our community with support coming from its citizens, The United Way / FEMA, The City of Rochester / HUD, and various local businesses. We are happy to provide references as requested.

History:
SHARE (603) 335-0011 was formed in 1991 as a community outreach program operating in the Rochester, New Hampshire and the communities of Greater Rochester. Although we operate as an activity of Holy Rosary in Rochester, NH, we provide services to the entire community without regard to religious affiliation or any other personal classification.

Contact people:

Stephen Viel, Board Chair, (phone), (email) Janice Smith, Program Co-Director, (phone), (email) Fred LaVallee, UWGS Contact, (phone), (email)

Address:

183 North Main Street Rochester, NH 03867-1215 (See a map)

Directions:

Depart Portsmouth, New Hampshire 1. SR-16 [Spaulding Tpke] NORTH 2. Get off of the Spaulding Turnpike at US-202 Exit 13, bear RIGHT (North-East) onto Washington Street. 3. Bear RIGHT (East) onto SR-202A [Walnut St] 4. End: Arrive 183 N Main St, Rochester, NH, 03867 Try. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: 183 N Main Street (COAST Busline), 1 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Name of Executive Director (or equivalent) if not listed above:
	Steve Viel
Type of organization
	Nonprofit 501(c)3
Is your organization a Health and Human Service agency?
	Yes