December Newsletter

CROSSROADS All Roads Lead to Home

IT'S BEEN QUITE A YEAR Highlights of this year's memories WHERE TO NEXT? What does 2022 have in store for Crossroads and how to get involved?

COUNTY HIGHLIGHT What's going on in your area?

COMMUNITY PARTNERS There is no road without them.

2021 Timeline Early 2021, Crossroads was selected to be a recipient of the SPUD fundraiser by Norman North High School. The students raised over $140,000 during a pandemic and donated $75,000 to Crossroads for a shelter remodel.

Teachers and staff throughout each county helped increase school readiness for students despite the lingering effects of the pandemic.

Crossroads was selected as Interim Program grantee for the Wewoka Head Start Program spanning Lincoln and Seminole Counties.

Crossroads Emergency Youth Resource Center took our kids to the Zoo, Arbuckle Wilderness, the movies, RiverSport, YMCA, Westwood, Chester's Party Barn and so many more lasting memories.

LoveWorks helped create a garden oasis at the Emergency Resource Center.

Our kids (with the help of some amazing staff) hosted Art Shows at St. Stephens.

We opened our doors again for our kids and families.

We hosted events again connecting with the creative firefighters in Shawnee.

We renovated so many spaces, we can't keep track thanks to Mike and Austin, volunteers, and many contractors.

We worked with United Way, Ideal Homes, the University of Oklahoma, Forrest Building materials, Landers Chevrolet, and countless other volunteers to help make the shetler remodel a reality.

A TRUE GIFT

CLEVELAND COUNTY

Every year students from the University of Oklahoma's Asian American Student Association spread joy for our little ones.

This year was one for the books with gifts galore. We are truly thankful for their partnership and all they do for our kids at Main Street Head Start.

STROUD UP IN LIGHTS

Lights. Cameras. Action. Well, different kinds of lights are in store, but they are just as beautiful and exciting. This is the magical view of the Stroud Head Start building for the light show.

Also pictured are the team that makes this a magical place to learn for our little ones.

LINCOLN COUNTY

HEAD START CENTER UPDATES

Updated offices, new classrooms. There are so many things to report. Pictured above is a sneak peek into the new Head Start classroom at Bethel.

To the right is a progress picture of the offices in Stroud. They are coming along nicely and we can't wait to update everyone upon their completion.

We plan to create some videos to show all the before and after pictures. Be ready to be wow'd.

POTTAWATOMIE

COUNTY

The newly renovated Bethel Head Start is ready for laughs and loves starting the next session.

Bethel Head Start is located in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

SEMINOLE COUNTY

COMANCHE COUNTY

These are pictures from Beginnings Academy. Mrs. Muniz's class collected food items for our community project, 2 food baskets for 2 families in our center for Thanksgiving and 2 baskets for Christmas.

One of the best things a parent can do for their children is get an education.

At the November parent meeting, Renita S. discussed Education and Employment. There was a parent expressing a desire for higher education but was concerned about the affordability. Going into debt was not an option! I asked her if I could work with her and see what we could figure out. After talking to her and giving e her information about costs, Pell Grant, and other possible funding sources, I encouraged her to go talk to the admissions office at the college. She did! And is now enrolled in college for next semester and has filled out her FASFA. I love helping parents go to school, as one of the best things a parent can do for their children is get an education.

STRESSBREAKER

Stressbreaker Academy Session 2 Managing stress is a lifelong skill. We were able to put our artistic skills and stress management skills to the test by creating bullet journals.

YOUTH SERVICES

Top Golf Holiday Event Ty L. and Karlee M. connect with community members invested in the Emergency Youth Resource Center at Top Golf on December 12, 2021.

Connecting with the Community Thrivent Financial invited Crossroads to be a part of their annual holiday giving event thanks to Andrea Marler. This event was loads of fun as the team flexed their golfing skills. It also provided ample new bedding for CERC.

12/1 Gisela H.

12/3 Veronica M.

12/4 Amber M.

12/5 Stephanie B.

12/6 Natalie A.

12/8 Barbara A. Amanda H. Tammy O.

12/9 Ty B. Melinda G.

12/13 Melody S.

12/14 Misty W.

12/16 Tanisha D.

12/19 Mark M.

12/20 Fern T.

12/22 Elizabeth C. Meghan H.

12/27 Cherish D

12/28 Tiffany A.

12/30 Tabitha R.

12/31 Charmaine D. Brittini E.

1 Year Karlee M.

2 Years Lisa Marion

3 Years Shaunda D.

7 Years Mark M.

8 Years Rebecca D. Gayle V

13 Years Toni C.

Forest Lumber Company is a community change-maker.

They donated to the remodel of the Emergency Resource Center, provided Thanksgiving dinner, donated funding for excursions, and even selected residents on an angel tree for the holidays. This partnership is changing the lives of young people experiencing trauma by making our resource center a home away from home.

Thrivent provides so many resources to the community.

They offer financial services to help people "thrive with purpose." Thanks to Thrivent kids all over get presents during the holiday season. The wonderful members and church leaders in Oklahoma provided much-needed bedding for the Emergency Recourse Center.