OCTOBER 2021
Crossroads ALL ROADS LEAD TO HOME We support the healthy lifestyles and emotional well-being of children, youth and families through the provision of effective, community-based programs.
03
All Roads Unite Us
05
Head Start Highlights
06
Shawnee HS Updates
07
Seminole is Finished!
08
Bosses' Day
11
EPIC Program Update
13
Partnership with NPS
14
Partnership with Norman Central
15
ERC Remodel
16
Staff Shoutouts
17
Birthday Wishes
18
Workiversary
19
Community Partners
ALL ROADS UNITE US
October represents many celebrations. From Hispanic Heritage Month to World Mental Health Day, there are plenty of things to celebrate. The contributions of leaders of LatinX descent and people pioneering mental health continue to impact the world for generations. The impact on the lives of youth & families in our counties will also be felt for many generations thanks to our founders, staff, families, board members, and community leaders.
We want to share your stories, successes, and connections with the community. If you have a specific person who helps connect families, fellow staff or the community send them my way. We know how much impact you all make and want to share it with others. Simply send the stories, pictures, or jenniferp@crossroadsyfs.com or text to 405-922-7093.
shoutouts
to
JAY ASHER
NO ONE KNOWS FOR CERTAIN HOW MUCH IMPACT THEY HAVE ON THE LIVES OF OTHER PEOPLE. OFTENTIMES, WE HAVE NO CLUE. YET WE PUSH IT JUST THE SAME.
"ARR"
Above Shawnee Fire Department
SHAWNEE FIREFIGHTERS VISIT HEAD START CENTERS
By Dava P
Arrrrr they pirates or firefighters? The Shawnee Fire Department performed a hilarious skit for the children, teachers, and parents. Between laughs, they covered everything from water safety to escape routes.
They also explained how to identify dangerous materials, how to give them to an adult, and how to stop, drop and roll. The Shawnee Fire Department continues to be a great resource for our community and a wonderful partner.
The Shawnee Fire Department continues to be a great resources for our community and a wonderful partner.
SEMINOLE HS We've all waited for it. We've seen some of the updates. We are now happy to update everyone that the Seminole Head Start building is finally complete. These walls will be filled with laughter and memories soon. We will keep you updated on the wonderful experiences of our families at this new site.
Seminole Head Start Update Pictures Mike T.
Happy BOSSES'
Day
Thank you, Wendy, for your leadership and for keeping the mission of Crossroads at the forefront of decisionmaking. Here are some little notes to let you know you are appreciated.
Bright Future AHead
Fighting on a legislative level for more pay for our professionals. Creating Lasting Community Partnerships. Leading through the pandemic and [National] Great Resignation of 2021."
"the
PAULO COELHO:
ANXIETY WAS BORN IN THE VERY SAME MOMENT AS MANKIND. AND SINCE WE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO MASTER IT, WE WILL HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT— JUST AS WE HAVE LEARNED TO LIVE WITH STORMS.
Therapy Dough
Magnetic Pen
Zen Garden
Galaxy worry stone
Thinking putty
Warmie
Liquid Timer
Chewelry
Infinity Chain
Can you match these tools to the proper box? A Project of EPIC Proportions
As many of you know, we have a new program that is running for students in Oklahoma. This program provides resources to homes for students dealing with high stress, moderate anxiety, or beginning signs of depression. After some feedback from students and parents, we are pleased to provide the following boxes to meet the needs of different kinds of students. 1. Fidget Widget Box for those with a little anxious energy. 2. Warm and Fuzzy Box for those wanting a little warmth and comfort. 3. Galaxy Box for the dreamers, star gazers, and doodlers 4. Zen Box for the natural, calm seekers.
These
groups
are
running
in
Norman Public Schools to assist with
the
growing
mental wellness tools.
Partnership with Norman Public Schools HELPING AND
STUDENTS
SOCIAL
NAVIGATE
STRESS,
ANXIETY,
SKILLS.
BY KAYLEE M.
This
Semester,
Schools
to
elementary
we
provide and
stress
and
these
classes.
are
middle
anxiety
partnering
with
Psychoeducational
and
Students
school social will
students. skills
be
will
able
to
Norman
classes Subjects
be
Public
to
such
covered
learn
their
about
as
during stress
and anxiety and how to manage it, they will learn how to build a positive self-concept, how to get along with others, how skills.
to
continually
We
are
improve
excited
about
themselves, this
and
opportunity
positive difference in our Norman Community.
many to
other
make
a
need
of
Partnership with Norman Public Library
WITHIN
THE
SANCTUARY FOR
GLASS
WALLS
COMES
A
OF
NEW
A
NEW
WORKSHOP
TEENS.
Punching a little positivity into our lives during
I Never “Felt” Better: Techniques to handle
the month of November is just the beginning.
feelings even in difficult times
Loren Hinton, Information Services Librarian/
Leave
Teen Services created a space for Crossroads
techniques to manage feelings even in stressful
Counseling Team to meet more young people in
times.
the community. These workshops are informal
Cells,
workshops that helps students begin to
loneliness,
understand different aspects of mental health.
dealing with anxiety. Each participant creates a
this
workshop
Loosely we
“Felt
Friend”
The City of Norman in partnership with Norman
their
own
Library Central sponsored these workshops for
relief tool.
teens.
Check out our November workshop:
based
will the
with
on
discuss power
using
felting
to
the
“Felt
Friend”
Webtoon,
mental
created
needle
kit
a
Yumi’s
preparation, by
felting
take
and
Pain,
and
home
as
and
receives a
stress
Updates for the ERC remodel
Norman
North
donated
$75,000
THE IT
IS
SEEMS
LIKE
BATHROOM BEING
PUT
ONLY WAS
BACK
YESTERDAY
RIPPED
OUT.
TOGETHER
THAT NOW,
AGAIN.
to
School
help
generously
remodel
the
youth
shelter during their yearly SPUD campaign in early 2021. Yes, during a pandemic!
Ideal Homes joined in the effort and provided volunteers
IT
High
from
all
over
the
metro
area
earning them the much-deserved award from the
United
Way
of
Norman
for
community
impact.
The
concepts
create
an
people
are
now
even
more
call
home
to
coming
cozy
together
place
while
for
awaiting
to
young more
permanent placement.
Here are the latest updates.
Stay
tuned
to
more
details
of
the
grand
reveal and a virtual tour option.
Thank
you
again,
Norman
North
SPUD,
Homes, and United Way of Norman.
Ideal
Staff/ Board Member Shoutouts! I didn't want to list names due to privacy purposes, but Crossroads is a part of United Way of Norman. Collectively, our staff raised $1530 which is roughly 30% of our goal of $5000. If you still want to donate, check out the link to United Way and select Crossroads as your organization. We appreciate them for funding the EPIC program, introducing us to Ideal Homes, and all the community development opportunities they offer. Thank you!
Kaylee, Thank you for your efforts getting Crossroads back into Norman Public Schools. Your hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed. Once the foundation is laid, the rest of the road can be built. Thank you again!
Staff Birthdays!
10/01 SHAYE B 10/03 AMBER C 10/04 DEANNA G 10/07 MARIE M 10/09 DEBBIE C STACIE C 10/10 SHANNON 10/12 DIANA M 10/13 NADIUSKA R 10/21 JENNIFER F FRANCIS G 10/22 CHARNELLE W
10/24 LEXUS P CARRIE A 10/25 SARAH H 10/28 TOWANDA R LORETTA C
It's your Workiversary
Katelyn C. Ty L. Malissa R Alicia R Ulma M
Darlene C
Yareli L Amber M Lori P
16
4
1 Deanna G
2
Lisa B Kimberly B
3
Tiffany A Wendy M
7
14
Community Partner Highlight We are hosting some of the best workshops for teens in Cleveland County thanks to our collaboration with Pioneer Library System's Norman- Central campus. Loren, the Technology Specialist for teens, is an invaluable resource for the community. We look forward to many more partnerships. Also, to the team in the Makerspace, you all went out of your way to bring our shelter youth 3d creations while we were unable to visit due to COVID-19. Thank you for your impact on the Norman Community.
The City of Norman awarded Crossroads Youth & Family Service $5000 to make EPIC Camps come to life. The vision is to get young people the resources they need throughout the year to help with stress and anxiety. This funding covers the cost of the monthly workshops held at Norman- Central Library. Thank you for all you do for the City of Norman!
It makes it easy to sleep well at night knowing our families are safe-guarded by the firefighters in Shawnee. They take care of the community so well and still make time to perform skits for our families to learn more about safety protocols. Thank you for always taking care of us!