For 15 years, CrossRoads of Owensboro has worked to combat poverty and homelessness in Daviess County. Originally located in the basement of New Life Church, CrossRoads began as a soup kitchen, but the vision to serve grew.
Now the CrossRoads Women’s & Children Homeless Shelter is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month. It is the only emergency overnight homeless shelter for women and children in Daviess County.
Caleb Farkas, Public Relations Director for CrossRoads, said 7 years ago Executive Director Michele Ison knew there was a need for the shelter.
“She recognized there was a vital missing link in our community’s continuum of care for this underserved, yet growing demographic,” he said. “It took 2 years of procedures, planning and preparation for her to officially open the shelter after she began the process in 2014.”
Farkas said the shelter has provided refuge to more than 900 women and children since its inception.
COVID-19 presented a lot of unique challenges and required CrossRoads to utilize hotels to remain open for a period of time. Still, they have been open every day in some capacity since opening their doors in 2016.
“We’ve made a lot of progress during the first 5 years including providing bunk beds complete with pillows, bedding and mattresses for our guests,” Farkas said. “When we initially opened guests were sleeping on mats on the ground.”
Farkas said the goals at the shelter are to continue providing services for the next 5 years and to make their services more accommodating and comfortable.
He said it’s always their goal to be a temporary solution and method for the community to use and transition into permanent housing.
The shelter is open from 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. every night and provides beds and food for up to 20 women and children each night on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For more resources and information about CrossRoads Inc. visit crossroadsowensboro.org
