Dear friend,

Everyone appears to be aware that significant changes are happening, but many find it hard to keep up. I understand, as I, too, sometimes have a hard time keeping up! If we attempted to send you every update from our list of achievements, you’d get very sick of us very quickly, though I’m certain you’d be impressed. But, we also know you care and would like to know more about what’s on our minds, what’s important to us, and how we plan to meet our goals.

The quarterly Billboard is intended to keep you aware of timely and notable matters that define who we are and where we’re going to serve more people and to serve them better.

You know that we solve problems. You know we understand people and the conditions that contribute to poverty, and how we attack poverty through creativity, experience, courage, and wisdom. And you know that we deeply value the talents, resources, and love that you provide in helping us to achieve our mission. This newsletter is to help inform you of what you might not know.

The soup kitchen dining room becomes HOME

A Personal Invitation

We love the people we serve every Sunday, and we love serving them. The love and kindness that is directed to our clients from volunteers and staff is inspiring. But it is missing something.

The space is rather sterile and not very interesting. It does not reflect our values or the love and care that defines us, so we spoke to our friends at The Carls Foundation. They granted us financial support to redesign the space and it is looking fantastic.

If you can, please join us from 5–7 pm on Wednesday, March 13 or Thursday, March 14 for our big reveal celebration. Please RSVP in advance — it is shaping up to be quite the affair. 

Crossroads attracts the talent of an international Volunteer Director

We need to look no further as we found Brooke Ahles who has 18 years’ experience in volunteer management with some of the most significant international nonprofits in the country.

When asking Brooke why she chose Crossroads, she said, “I was deeply inspired by the connection Crossroads has made with the clients and community. To me, Crossroads isn’t just a job for people who work there, it’s a way of life.”

You can get in touch with Brooke to welcome her or to discuss volunteer opportunities via email, or call 313.410.3977.

Crossroads is trying to solve poverty for the first time in its 52-year history

Over the years, Crossroads has become masters of resource distribution to those who live in extreme poverty, and we are proud of it.

We have also become experts at understanding many of the root causes of poverty and feel an obligation to do something about it, so we have developed an innovative master plan that has three distinct interventions.

In this unique program, the volunteers don’t have the same rules that often limit success that many nonprofits have. They can explore these resources in their personal, professional, or social networks. Our first clients were homeless and became stable in six short weeks! And they’re still stable months later. 

If you’re interested in learning more, you can reach out to Impact Director Tina Smith.

Food has become the number one request from our clients

Most of you may have seen our recent letter letting you know we’re having a very hard time keeping food on our pantry shelves. 

Food has become the number one request from our clients and the need is growing beyond our ability to manage it well. The need grew by nearly 250% last year! But we will keep trying the best we can. We need help.

Ask of the month

Please visit our website often, where you will find an updated list of critical needs we have for our clients. We are especially in need of consistent hygiene products.