Crossroads Shelter, Inc.

2011-03-31T21:42:00.000-04:00

Crossroads Shelter Relocates

For 22 years, Crossroads Shelter has been serving the homeless in Southwest Virginia by not only providing shelter but also as a resource for rebuilding lives. Today, the shelter is turning a new page and embarking on a new chapter of serving the region’s citizens. Beginning April 1st, Crossroads is closing the doors on the facility on Calhoun Street and will be providing services to area homeless through an innovative program. Their new program allows clients to access Crossroads’ services through an intake person at the HOPE Ministry Center.
According to Pat Helton, Executive Director, “We have worked hard to improve the quality of services provided with a focus on the unique needs of each individual for an improved quality of life. The Board of Directors remains committed to continuing this work. We are still coordinating the details; however, we want to assure our community partners we will continue to provide shelter to the homeless in our area. These changes allow us to continue to fulfill our mission in the face of the growing financial challenges, pending legislative changes, and deteriorating facility conditions.”
Governor Bob McDonnell called for a focus on addressing the needs of homeless Virginians, housing, and services for those with very low incomes. The plan to leverage state resources more effectively for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness has created changes in funding for services. To qualify for funding, communities must restructure their overall system to address the needs of homeless individuals and families. Crossroads has been discussing these changes within the local Continuum of Care (COC) in order to meet these requirements and better meet the needs of the homeless in our area.
Andy Kegley, Executive Director for Helping Overcome Poverty’s Existence (H.O.P.E), Inc., noted, “These are not spur of the moment decisions. Housing and human service providers in our region have been discussing funding cuts and programming changes trying to determine how best to manage.” Kegley added, “We believe this interim plan is necessary to build a stronger collaboration to more efficiently manage the homeless and at risk needs.”
Helton stated, “Crossroads’ approach with clients has been to embrace the process of change as one of discovery rather than going back to the way things once were. We have struggled with decreased funding and donations that required us to make cuts. There was a period we did not have 24-hour coverage of the shelter. The turning point—both a crisis and an opportunity to truly embrace the process of change as one of discovery—has been our fight against bed bugs. We have gone to great lengths with exterminators, protocols for washing and drying clothes and linens, purchasing equipment to heat non-washable items, and fumigating the building. We finally came to the conclusion this was a losing battle in the original part of the house with all the cracks and crevices for the bugs to hide.”
Bill Marshall, Board President for Crossroads Shelter, indicated the current economy has made it difficult to maintain the quality of the 100-year-old building at an acceptable level that is safe and decent for clients. Marshall noted, “Embracing the core values which guide us in providing services, believing every person is a valuable, worthwhile human being, and holding ourselves to the highest quality of standards lead us in this new direction.”
According to Helton, “We have shifted resources to provide the most effective use of funds and resources to best deliver services to the homeless population during this very difficult time, which has included the layoff of several staff members effective March 31. Our goal is to build partnerships as we make changes that will take us into the next phase of services.”
Helton noted, “Our intention is to rebuild—both the structure and program—and return to full operations to fulfill the mission of transitioning the homeless to independent living. We still need the community’s financial support during the transition phase in order to continue assisting the homeless in our community.” Crossroads has been proactive in responding to the challenging economic conditions by establishing Earthganic Greenhouse with the purpose of generating revenue for the agency. Helton noted, “Our greenhouse has been very well received by the community and, with the help of the community, will continue to generate some of the much-needed funding to support the agency. Spring sales at Earthganic Greenhouse will be vital in allowing us to continue sheltering homeless individuals and families in the coming months.”

2010-12-13T11:22:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Crossroads Shelter, Inc.

We have been working on a few upgrades to our website to make it easier to find information.

We welcome you to friend us on Facebook!

Click here to see a VIDEO about Crossroads Shelter.

2010-11-19T22:48:00.001-05:00

UPDATES

April 2011

We are currently in a transitional state as we are relocating (refer to the press release). We expect to have multiple phases during our transition. However, throughout all of the phases, we will continue to fulfill our mission, which is: to provide emergency shelter, basic needs, and supplemental services to homeless persons and families of Southwest Virginia to facilitate transition to independent living.

Phase 1: Initial Transition (March 31–April 15)

During this phase we will be focusing on getting the word out to allied professionals and community supporters about the changes to our program and coordinate their and our systems to accomodate the changes.

Phase 2: April – June (the current fiscal year)

During this phase we will be continuing to provide services within the guidelines of the current funding contracts. Planning for the longer-term program will continue. We will be seeking new funding sources and grants as needed to accomplish our short and long-term goals for the shelter.

Phase 3: July 2011

We're not sure what else may change with the new fiscal year, but we know there will be grant guidelines and requirements that will require adaptations. We will continue to work on renovating the old facility and improving services.

December 2010

The shelter is once again open 24/7. We are so thankful to those whose giving has made this possible, especially during the harsh winter weather. We need the continuing support of individuals, groups, and foundations in our local communities to keep the shelter open and serving the needs of homeless families and individuals in our community.

_____________________________________

Seeking New Board Member Nominations

by Pat Helton on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 9:07am

…for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…Luke 12:48

Are you looking for a way to give back? Crossroads Shelter is searching for enthusiastic, energetic individuals to serve on the board of directors. We want members who are passionate and committed to finding ways help us continue assisting homeless individuals and families in our community.

Crossroads Shelter, Inc., is a 24-bed homeless shelter located in Wytheville, Virginia. We serve the counties of Bland, Carroll, Pulaski, Grayson, Smyth, Washington, and Wythe and the city of Galax. We are committed to be more than a bed and meal. Our goal is to provide a healthy, supportive environment and to prepare and empower our clients to make positive, lasting life changes. We have been successful in doing this by offering a structured framework of services designed to help individuals obtain permanent housing and gain the necessary skills to maintain independent living in the community. Providing this type of quality service costs more, but it is well worth the effort by reducing the likelihood our clients will need our services again in the future.

The economic conditions we face today have been devastating to non-profits across the nation. Crossroads has been one of the agencies hit hard with declining donations and reduced funding. In order to continue to provide beds for the homeless, we have cut back on employee hours. Trained, committed employees are at the heart of the services we provide to achieve positive, lasting change. Our employees provide structure and assist with goal planning and skill building. We work to provide each individual with as many options as possible so they are able to make informed choices. We want to communicate that we are listening and it is our goal to help each individual be able to say “I changed myself.” Crossroads Shelter’s dedicated and compassionate employees work to increase each client’s sense of self-efficacy—when the client believes they have the skills, tools, power, and motivation to succeed. The focus is on how people change, not on defining the problem for them. There is more success with those who own the change themselves! People only move toward change when they perceive there is a chance of success. It is Crossroads’ goal to help our clients believe they can succeed!

We want to build partnerships in community that will allow us to once again provide more than a bed and a meal. We want to return to the full range of services we were providing and, from there, continue to improve our services. We want to share information to educate the community about the issues of homelessness and the correlation between homelessness and mental illness, substance abuse, and trauma. We want the community to understand our mission, philosophy, and approach to helping homeless individuals and families as well as to understand our obstacles. We want to motivate the community to become partners with us and make positive changes in our community. We all will be more motivated to action if we all believe there is a chance of success. We need you on our team. We need your support to help us help homeless individuals and families in our community believe they can succeed.

If you are interested in serving on our board of directors, contact Bill Marshall, Board President, at coldnosewh@aol.com or Pat Helton, Executive Director, at path@frc-inc.org for more information and an application.

Board member nominations are vetted for enthusiasm and commitment to further the mission of the agency, for representation of the geographic area we serve, and to ensure we reflect the racial, gender, and cultural diversity of our community.

Not interested in serving on a board? Why not consider volunteering? Even an hour per month can make a difference in the lives of those in need in your community.

Patricia Helton, Executive Director

_____________________________________

For more information call 276.228.9270

Mail donations to: PO Box 117 Wytheville, VA 24382

2010-10-10T01:04:00.000-04:00

Bowl of Blessings Fundraisers

Hosts and Sponsors Are Needed to Help Raise Awareness of Homelessness and Shelter Services

Would your church or organization be willing to sponsor a project to help Crossroads Shelter? We're looking for individuals and groups who will host a Benefit Supper called "Bowl of Blessings" to support the work that we do.

The project is simple for you to undertake but the time and work you invest into it will mean that we can continue to offer shelter and supportive services to homeless families and individuals in our area.

The project is flexible to suit the needs of your particular organization or church, but here are a few ideas for how you can conduct a Bowl of Blessings fundraiser:
Right after church or one evening, have a benefit lunch or supper with proceeds going to support the shelter. You can serve soup or beans (or the meal of your choice) for a donation or for a set price.
Schedule a representative from Crossroads Shelter to bring a display with pictures, information and brochures about the shelter and the work we do. The representative can speak to the group or just to individuals.

Have Ideas? Questions? Want to schedule? Just call 276.228.9270.

2010-02-13T19:55:00.000-05:00

Guest Speakers Available

We welcome the opportunity to provide an in-person presentation to your group and are glad to tailor it to meet the timeframe and needs or your event or service. If you are interested in having a Crossroads Shelter representative speak to your organization or church, please contact us at 276.228.9270 to schedule or to discuss options. In most cases we can accomodate requests, including weekend and evening meetings. Scheduling at least a few weeks in advance is recommended.

The representative can tailor his or her presentation to a variety of lengths (we ask for at least 15 minutes) and can include a time for Questions & Answers. The Crossroads Shelter representative will typically bring the a tabletop display and handouts and can be available before or after the program to further discuss the Shelter with individuals.

Many churches and organizations find that the Bowl of Blessings fundraiser provides an excellent opportunity to combine an informative talk about the Shelter with an opportunity for participants to support the Shelter through donations. Click here for more information about Bowl of Blessings.

2008-02-01T14:55:00.004-05:00

Earthganic Greenhouse
We invite you to go to the Earthganic Greenhouse website for more information and ongoing updates. The greenhouse is located at 1135 W. Lee Highway Wytheville, VA.

Call 276.228.2386.

Crossroads’ Greenhouse Project Is Moving Forward

Crossroads Shelter’s greenhouse project developed out of the emergence of an opportunity to meet three of the shelter’s goals: to provide a consistent source of revenue for the shelter; to offer a form of vocational training and skill building for clients staying at the shelter; and to provide a service to the community.
Crossroads Shelter staff became aware of the existence of two unused,
commercial-scale greenhouses located several miles from the Shelter, and saw
the chance to use a neglected community resource to achieve their goals and
contribute to the local food system.

As an organic operation, the shelter’s greenhouse will protect land and water resources and provide nutritious produce for the community while renewing a community resource. It will become part of a growing movement in support of local food in the southwest Virginia region. The revenue generated from the greenhouse project will support Crossroads Shelter in its mission to provide services to homeless persons. Residents will gain vocational skills and earn money, two critical elements in the successful transition away from homelessness. Finally, this endeavor represents an opportunity to create a strong network linking many different kinds of organizations - including agricultural non-profits, local businesses, colleges, churches and synagogues, and social service agencies – around a common goal of promoting an initiative that contributes to a successful triple bottom line: people, planet and profits.

If you are interested in making a donation to help with Earthganic Greenhouse start-up expenses (briefly listed, below) or are willing to volunteer your time, please call the greenhouse at 276.228.2386 or send your donation earmarked for the greenhouse to:
P.O. Box 117 • Wytheville, VA 24382

We need your help with Start-up Expenses for:
o irrigation system
o seeds
o planting materials
o tools
o utilities (especially the initial deposit for the natural gas to heat the greenhouse)
o delivery van

2008 Update:
In early November 2008, Greenhouse Manager Jason Hounshell and a number of community volunteers and Shelter residents began the work of cleaning and renovating the greenhouses, which are located at 1135 W. Lee Hwy. in Wytheville. They also took on the task of making beautiful boxwood wreaths and centerpieces as a way to generate some much needed income for the greenhouse project. To date, they have completed and sold more than 55 wreaths & centerpieces. Eleven community volunteers have worked more than 100 hours and approximately ten clients have worked more than 150 hours.

2008-02-01T02:27:00.002-05:00

Crossroads Shelter • Volunteer/Intern Application

Name:

Date of Birth: ____ / _____ /_____

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Home Phone #:

Other Phone #:

Email address:

Occupation/Employer:

Interests, skills, hobbies:

Have you ever done volunteer work before? □ Yes □ No

Where?

What kind?

What kind of volunteer work would you like to do?
□ Fundraising □ Presentations □ Maintenance □ Lawn Care □ Renovations □ Special Projects
□ Other:

How much time can you give?
Weekly: _________ Monthly: __________

Available times:

Why do you wish to volunteer for Crossroads Shelter?

Where did you hear about us?

Name, address, and phone # of a personal reference:

Other information you wish to share about your talents or interests (use back of paper, if needed):

Mail to: PO Box 117 • Wytheville, VA 24382

2008-01-31T20:42:00.006-05:00

History

1987:
Grassroots group of concerned citizens met to address the issue of homelessness in Wythe County, VA. Much of the homelessness identified was among local families and individuals who had fallen on hard times. The presence of the intersecting I-77 and I-81 Interstates crossing Wythe County also added transients to those in need of shelter.

Some of the founding members of the agency are shown above.

1989:
Crossroads Shelter opened to serve the homeless with a capacity of 12 and one staff person. Support for operations comes primarily from local contributors including churches.

1991:
Local business offered to take over operations of the shelter as a way of giving back to the community.

A view of the house before the addition of the modular unit.

1992:
Extensive renovations including a modular unit addition expands capacity to 24 beds.

1995:
The Shelter reverted to community control and support.

1999:
Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development grant retires mortgage.

2007:
Crossroads Shelter Board of Directors contracts with the Family Resource Center to provide management services.

The 20th Anniversary Celebration held on November 8, 2009.

2009:

Crossroads Shelter celebrates its 20th Anniversary.

The Women's Wing was dedicated in memory of the late Marjory Dronsick.

2011:

Crossroads Shelter partners with other community agencies to provide more comprehensive services to the homeless, with emphasis on transitional housing. The facility that has housed the shelter for more than two decades is closed for extensive renovations. Emergency shelter services are provided through vouchers.

2008-01-31T19:50:00.001-05:00

Contact Information:
phone: 276-228-9270
mail: Crossroads Shelter
PO BOX 117
Wytheville, VA 24382