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In the news | HERE'S WHAT'S NEW
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Find your passion. make an impact!
Can you believe we're nearing the end of 2022? It's been such an exciting year for Crossover as we've officially begun construction on our new building! Stay tuned for more updates on that. The impact that has been made on Flint & Genesee County throughout the years has been overwhelming, in a good way. This picture shows the impact YOUR donations made in 2021.
#GivingTuesday is coming up in just 6 days. There are so many ways you can give, it doesn't just have to be financially. Here are a few ways you can help Crossover this season. GIVE GOODS: We accept gently used clothing and household items that we pass along to our clients. GIVE JOY: Adopt a family for Christmas - either you do the shopping, or donate $150 and we will do the shopping for you. GIVE FUNDS: Money is always helpful so that we can continue to provide the programs that impact this community. You can donate through this website, PayPal, or the old-fashioned way by mailing in a check. GIVE VOICE: Share our mission with your family and friends. Tell them why you support Crossover and help us continue making a difference for our neighbors in Flint & Genesee County. Just by liking and sharing our social media posts, you're helping to get the word out about who we are and what we do. Keep your eyes peeled on our FB and IG to learn how you can donate this upcoming Tuesday!
Have you ever wondered what your gift can do? We've put together a little graphic that shows exactly how your money helps our clients.
Have you ever wondered what your gift can do? We've put together a little graphic that shows exactly how your money helps our clients.
Help us as we continue to make a lasting impact on this community. Flint is resilient and we will continue to love on and serve our neighbors in need. However you give this season, give generously!
November is Homeless Awareness Month!
Did you know that November is Homeless Awareness Month? In Flint & Genesee County there are at least 349 people who are homeless on any given night. We all have met someone experiencing homelessness, maybe it was on your commute to work, while walking downtown, or volunteering during the holidays. You may have also met someone living in their car, on a family member’s sofa, or about to lose their home and never realized how precarious their living situation is. Homelessness can happen to anyone, and there is no stereotypical image of homelessness. We can all make a difference when it comes to helping Flint's homeless population. We all know that we can volunteer and donate at our local shelters (Carriage Town, Shelter of Flint, My Brother's Keeper) and resource centers (Crossover Outreach, North End Soup Kitchen, South End Soup Kitchen and there are many others) but there is so much more that you can do. Be respectful to those experiencing homelessness in your community. Treating everyone with dignity and respect can go a long way in breaking down stereotypes and stigmas associated with homelessness. If you see someone needing help, look them in the eye, say hello, shake their hand, and acknowledge them the way you would want to be treated if you were in their shoes. Simple acknowledgement is vital to everyone, no matter their living situation. It can be more powerful than money. While it’s great to give items or show up at the holidays (which are right around the corner), these agencies need support year round, and your financial contribution allows them to purchase necessary items or support clients in ways that your other donations can’t. Connect someone to 2-1-1. While you can’t call on someone’s behalf, you can make sure that friends and strangers alike are aware of this resource. 2-1-1 is a helpline that provides referrals to programs that assist with food, housing, financial assistance, utility assistance and more! Help is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, from anywhere in Michigan! Every one of us has the potential to make a difference right now! We have the potential to stop in the midst of our busy lives. We challenge you to make it your personal mission this month (and every month after), if you see a neighbor in need, to stop, say hello and ask if they need anything – especially food. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that you made someone feel like they mattered for a second in a world where they are otherwise invisible. So the next time you see a homeless person, rather than passing judgement, make the effort to smile at them and actually acknowledge their existence. We promise there is no better feeling than knowing you made a person’s day. In remembering that many of us are just one paycheck away from being homeless, we can choose to find compassion for these people. We can choose to stop for only a few moments, and share a human connection, extending kindness to those who need it most.
Monday Giveaways Update!
We absolutely loved the opportunity to host these Monday giveaways over the past couple months. It's been a blessing to be able to serve our friends and neighbors in Flint & Genesee County with the items they need. In October we were fortunate to have Anna from GISD Healthy Schools Healthy Families Program here to share resources on healthy eating, and provide a tasting from Michigan Harvest of the Month. After the giveaways, we are excited to have her joining us once a month at Crossover sharing those resources with you. For now we are going to put a pause on the giveaways. With the weather changing and our holiday programs coming up, we have a lot going on. But if by chance we have a warm, winter day, we will certainly surprise you with a giveaway! Be on the lookout for our social media posts about all the amazing things happening at Crossover in the coming months!
Monday Giveaways are starting soon!
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Starting on Monday, September 19, we will be hosting a giveaway! Weather permitting, we will be holding them the 1st & 3rd Monday's of each month, from 11a-2p. We will have men's, women's and children's clothing, household products, seasonal items and other miscellaneous goods! We are ready to make room for our fall and winter clothing/items, so spread the word. If you know someone in need, please send them out! We'd love to help them with whatever items we have available. During those days, we will NOT be accepting any donations. Please wait to bring your items until later in the week.
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September is hunger action month!
Flint, MI 09/07/22: September is Hunger Action Month!
Hunger looks different on everybody and can affect people from all walks of life. Millions of people in America are just a job loss, missed paycheck, loss of a loved one, or medical emergency away from hunger. Food insecurity is defined as a lack of consistent access to enough food for all people in a household to live a healthy, active life, according to Feeding America. In Genesee County, according to a report compiled by Stacker, the food insecurity rate is 15.2% or 61,960 individuals. That is 39.4% higher than the national average! The child food insecurity rate is 19.4% or 17,980 children. One of our foundational services is our food pantry! It is oftentimes people's primary need! We've been able to partner with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and rely on donations from the community to ensure that ALL people in Flint & Genesee County have access to fresh, nutritious food. Our clients receive (3) days of well-rounded meals including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack. We also host mobile food giveaways to reach more people in need! Here are a few ways you can help fight this month (and every month); come volunteer at Crossover or check out the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and get involved on a regular basis. Go Orange and put on your finest orange attire for Hunger Action Month. Donate, in honor of Hunger Action Month; food or monetary donations are extremely helpful for us as we continue our mission of feeding the hungry. We'll leave you with a quote from Mother Teresa; "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."
Hunger looks different on everybody and can affect people from all walks of life. Millions of people in America are just a job loss, missed paycheck, loss of a loved one, or medical emergency away from hunger. Food insecurity is defined as a lack of consistent access to enough food for all people in a household to live a healthy, active life, according to Feeding America. In Genesee County, according to a report compiled by Stacker, the food insecurity rate is 15.2% or 61,960 individuals. That is 39.4% higher than the national average! The child food insecurity rate is 19.4% or 17,980 children. One of our foundational services is our food pantry! It is oftentimes people's primary need! We've been able to partner with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and rely on donations from the community to ensure that ALL people in Flint & Genesee County have access to fresh, nutritious food. Our clients receive (3) days of well-rounded meals including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack. We also host mobile food giveaways to reach more people in need! Here are a few ways you can help fight this month (and every month); come volunteer at Crossover or check out the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and get involved on a regular basis. Go Orange and put on your finest orange attire for Hunger Action Month. Donate, in honor of Hunger Action Month; food or monetary donations are extremely helpful for us as we continue our mission of feeding the hungry. We'll leave you with a quote from Mother Teresa; "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."
What has been going on at Crossover lately?
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Flint, MI 09/07/22: Our easy answer to the question above is A LOT! We had a lot of exciting things going on at Crossover this summer! The biggest and most exciting event, was our groundbreaking ceremony in June! We cannot wait to share with you the progress of that and look forward to showing you pictures and videos when construction officially begins. In addition to our daily services, we also have a lot of our annual programming that has happened over the past few months. We sent 17 kids up to Camp Chickagami for a fun filled week; we're in the final stages of our Back to School program where we've supplied over 200 kids with brand new backpacks (filled with everything they need to start the year with confidence), had mobile food giveaways, added some new faces to our Crossover family, participated in community events! It's been a busy and fun summer! Thank you to everyone who has supported us financially, or with in kind donations, or simply volunteering for us! There's no time to rest as we move into one of our busiest seasons. Stay tuned for what's next!
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crossover's coat & boot program for kids is just warming up!
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Flint, MI, 11/2/21: Today begins our WINTER COAT GIVEAWAY! Every year, Crossover Outreach provides NEW Winter Coats for Children. This year we also have NEW Winter Boots for Children! As always, we provide gently used goats for Adults! If you have a coat you'd like to donate, we'd be honored to share that coat with someone in need of a helping hand! If you NEED a coat, please give us a call!
NOTE: We've returned to our pre-covid policies. Referrals are required for services again as of Sept. 1, 2021. As with all programs, proof of children in the home is required*. *(The easiest form of documentation is your MDHHS form showing who is on your case (can be shown on paper or via your cell phone). |
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Same help, Same Hope, New look!
Flint, MI, 6/8/21: For the last 30 years, you all have made a positive impact for thousands of families in need. This year especially, you helped families get through the toughest times. You have provided food, clothing, and personal hygiene items to those who needed it most. You gave children backpacks full of brand new school clothes, shoes, and school supplies. You helped families feel peace during the fall, by providing them with Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas gifts. You provided warmth for children through winter coats, scarves, hats, and boots. You saw children smile as they got home from camp, talking about how much fun they had. And that’s just the beginning of it.
The difference you have made for these families truly can’t be put into words. The kindness you have provided to them has been incredible, and something they will remember forever. As you continue to provide this hope to families in need, it is part of our vision that we make access to these resources as easy as possible. After receiving input from all of YOU, we have decided to update our name and logo. Having this updated look will allow us to reach even more families in need, while still focusing on a similar mission: showing the love of Christ by feeding, clothing, and providing services and programs to those in need, restoring hope and rebuilding lives. As of today, we are officially Crossover Outreach: Providing the same help and same hope, now with a new look. Watch the video below to see the full reveal:
The difference you have made for these families truly can’t be put into words. The kindness you have provided to them has been incredible, and something they will remember forever. As you continue to provide this hope to families in need, it is part of our vision that we make access to these resources as easy as possible. After receiving input from all of YOU, we have decided to update our name and logo. Having this updated look will allow us to reach even more families in need, while still focusing on a similar mission: showing the love of Christ by feeding, clothing, and providing services and programs to those in need, restoring hope and rebuilding lives. As of today, we are officially Crossover Outreach: Providing the same help and same hope, now with a new look. Watch the video below to see the full reveal:
THANK YOU FOR 30 AMAZING YEARS!
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Thank you for uplifting men, women and children in need here in Flint and Genesee County through Crossover Outreach!
We hope you enjoy our video. Though we would've loved to gather together in person for our luncheon, we hope you enjoy watching the program via video and we look forward to being able to gather in person once again soon! Thank you for helping show the love of Christ, restore hope, and rebuild lives right here in our own community! |
LOCAL COLLABORATION BRINGS MINDFUL KAYAKING TO FLINT
Flint, MI, 6/2/21: This summer, Crossover Outreach will be collaborating with the Flint River Watershed Coalition and Mindful Flint to host our 2nd annual Flint Mindful Kayaking series. The series will go from June-September, with 2 paddles per month. Half the paddles will be teen paddles, for ages 14-18, and the other half will be adult/mixed family paddles ages 8+ (Ages 8-13 must be accompanied by an adult). This series provides our community members with the opportunity to learn mindfulness practices while experiencing nature right here in our own backyard by kayaking local waterways!
Each paddle cost $20/person. Price includes shuttling, water, guides, and mindfulness practitioners. Lifejackets are required to be worn at all times on the water. All trips are scouted ahead of time. A limited number of canoes and kayaks are available to rent, so register early!
Thanks to the generous sponsorships of Blue Cross Complete and HAP Empowered, Crossover Outreach is providing scholarships to families in need. Call Crossover at 810-234-2479 to sign-up and have all fees waived. These scholarships are available to ALL, so make sure to call as soon as possible! There is a limited number of participants per paddle due to social distancing, so call before the spots fill up!
ADULT/MIXED FAMILY PADDLES: AGES 8+ (Ages 8-13 must be accompanied by an adult)
June 15th at 5:30pm
June 17th at 5:30pm
July 10th 9:30am
July 11th 9:30am
August 2nd 5:30pm
August 4th 5:30pm
September 18th 9:30pm
September 19th 9:30am
Where:
June & August- Thread Lake Park; Lakeside Ave, Flint, MI 48503
July & September- Kayak Flint; located behind Tenacity Brewing (119 N Grand Traverse St #5620, Flint, MI 48503)
Each paddle cost $20/person. Price includes shuttling, water, guides, and mindfulness practitioners. Lifejackets are required to be worn at all times on the water. All trips are scouted ahead of time. A limited number of canoes and kayaks are available to rent, so register early!
Thanks to the generous sponsorships of Blue Cross Complete and HAP Empowered, Crossover Outreach is providing scholarships to families in need. Call Crossover at 810-234-2479 to sign-up and have all fees waived. These scholarships are available to ALL, so make sure to call as soon as possible! There is a limited number of participants per paddle due to social distancing, so call before the spots fill up!
ADULT/MIXED FAMILY PADDLES: AGES 8+ (Ages 8-13 must be accompanied by an adult)
June 15th at 5:30pm
June 17th at 5:30pm
July 10th 9:30am
July 11th 9:30am
August 2nd 5:30pm
August 4th 5:30pm
September 18th 9:30pm
September 19th 9:30am
Where:
June & August- Thread Lake Park; Lakeside Ave, Flint, MI 48503
July & September- Kayak Flint; located behind Tenacity Brewing (119 N Grand Traverse St #5620, Flint, MI 48503)
Crossover's Winter Coat Program Continues This WinterFlint, MI- 1-18-2021
The staff and Board of Directors of Crossover Downtown Outreach Ministry are blessed to announce we have received a loving grant from the Child Welfare Society of Flint to provide new, warm coats for children in the Flint and Genesee County. We were surprised to receive more than we asked for, and are blessed to have even more coats available this year than usual. These coats are first come first serve, and are available to any child under 18 in need of a warm coat this winter. These coats are available NOW until March 31st, 2021, or until we run out. THESE FREE COATS FOR CHILDREN ARE AVAILABLE NOW! Children's sizes 2T-20 and a limited # of adult sizes for teens available now. Clients do NOT need a referral to receive services from Crossover at the moment. In order to receive a coat for the child(ren), a client must bring in:
The Child Welfare Society of Flint has supported our Winter Coat Program since 2015, and we are so grateful for their wonderful support throughout the years. Crossover’s Winter Coat program assists poverty-stricken children with the necessities of a warm new winter coat, gloves, and hats to insure they are warm and dry throughout the season! Thanks to this generous gift from the Child Welfare Society of Flint, more than 450 children will receive this gift of warmth and positive self-esteem. |
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2nd Annual Comedy for Crossover Resounding Success
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Flint, MI - 10-18-2019
Thanks to everyone who came out Friday, October 18th, 2019 to the Flint Farmer's Market to help Crossover Downtown Outreach Ministry raise funds to uplift our neighbors in need with free emergency food, clothing, personal hygiene, household items and so much more! Thanks to our generous sponsors, attendees, and raffle participants for making this event a financial success as well. |
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Caroline Six partners with Crossover Downtown Outreach Ministry
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by Caroline Six on June 26, 2019
We’re excited to announce that we’ve partnered with Crossover Downtown Outreach Ministry in Flint, Michigan! “Our friendly team serves people who have an urgent need for food, clothing, and household items. And we do it all with the warmth and dignity that they deserve.” | Denise Diller, Crossover Downtown Outreach Ministry Highlights
Our Partnership Talk with any member or client of Crossover for a few minutes and you can see and feel the positive difference the organization is making. Here’s how we’re helping
Buy your tickets today at CarolineSixTickets.com |
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It's CAMP SIGN-UP Time!
2019 May Fundraiser Luncheon
WHAT AN AMAZING EVENT! You are a BLESSING! Crossover is honored and humbled to have such wonderful people helping uplift those in need! We were blessed to award our Friend of Crossover 2019 to Rev. Dr. Douglas Mercer, and our Spirit of Crossover 2019 to the Firestone Center! Thank you and everyone who attended (or was unable to attend) for everything you do to uplift those in need here in Flint and Genesee County, MI. YOU ARE CROSSOVER and so many people have been blessed because of your loving support!
Innovative Health Radio Podcast - November 2018
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Denise Diller, Development Officer, at Crossover Downtown Outreach Ministry, joins Innovative Health Radio hosts Kristen Wolosonowich, Samana Sheikh and Marjorie Bordenkircher McAllister discussing their amazing organization's service to the community of Flint. Crossover Downtown Outreach Ministry was created by three churches, designed to provide clothing, food and hygiene products to a demographic struggling to make ends meet. Denise is a passionate powerhouse and we are so honored to discuss her commitment to the community. https://www.crossoverministryflint.org/ #InnovativeHealthMedia
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1st Annual Comedy for Crossover
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Thanks to everyone who joined us on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 for our first ever COMEDY FOR CROSSOVER! The event was a resounding success and lots of laughs were had by all! Thanks to our generous sponsors, attendees, and raffle participants for making this event a financial success as well. The proceeds from the show are ALREADY blessing those in need here in Flint and Genesee County with free emergency food, clothing, personal hygiene products and so much more!
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2018 May Fundraiser Luncheon
Crossover is blessed to have such wonderful people helping uplift those in need! We were blessed to award our Friend of Crossover 2018 to Mrs. Ruth Thrash, and our Spirit of Crossover 2018 to the Eastern Michigan Hockey Association! Thank you and everyone who attended (or was unable to attend) for everything you do to uplift those in need here in Flint and Genesee County, MI. YOU ARE CROSSOVER and so many people have been blessed because of your loving support!
Thanksgiving Happens Thanks to YOU- 11/15 - 11/22/2017
We are in the process of giving out Thanksgiving boxes to families in need thanks to generous donors like YOU and our founding & supporting congregations and generous sponsors! You make programs like this possible! 100 families and 20 seniors/special needs adults will be blessed with Thanksgiving boxes thanks to you all!
Building on our Legacy - 9/1/2017 Update
Building on our Legacy - 5/24/2017 Update
After 26 years of serving those less fortunate from our humble abode, we are embarking upon the building of a new Crossover. Our current location is well known as a beacon of hope to those struggling to provide food, clothing and more for themselves and their families. To that end, we are building the new Crossover right next door! The houses to our west were obtained and on May 24th, 2017, they were demolished to make way for our new building! We look forward to making this building project as much about mission as everything we do! We will remain open and serving our neighbors in need from our current building throughout construction. Once our new facility is complete, we'll move the contents and begin serving those less fortunate with the least possible disruption!
Please check back for regular updates as we walk through this journey together.
Please check back for regular updates as we walk through this journey together.
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2017 Legacy Dinner Celebration!As Crossover embarks upon a new building, we joined together to celebrate our combined 26 year LEGACY of helping those in need here in Flint and Genesee County! YOU ARE CROSSOVER and so many people have been blessed because of your loving support! Click the link below to see pictures and learn more!
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Items in renovated Baker College dorm rooms will be given to families in need
FLINT (WJRT) - (07/01/16) - Renovations are underway at Baker College in Flint, but it's a construction project unlike others on campus.
Construction crews are clearing out what's left inside a dorm building on the Baker College campus.
Baker East is undergoing extensive renovations. Thirty-six suites are being gutted, but furniture and appliances that could have gone in the dump won't this time.
Crossover Downtown Outreach Ministry and Genesee County Habitat for Humanity will be taking all of the items to give the families they serve. There are 36 sets of bunk beds, desks, dressers, stoves and refrigerators.
Truckload by truckload, the items have been disappearing from the lot. The last of it should be gone in the next few days.
The college plans to do the same thing for any future projects on campus.
Click HERE to see the story on ABC12!
Construction crews are clearing out what's left inside a dorm building on the Baker College campus.
Baker East is undergoing extensive renovations. Thirty-six suites are being gutted, but furniture and appliances that could have gone in the dump won't this time.
Crossover Downtown Outreach Ministry and Genesee County Habitat for Humanity will be taking all of the items to give the families they serve. There are 36 sets of bunk beds, desks, dressers, stoves and refrigerators.
Truckload by truckload, the items have been disappearing from the lot. The last of it should be gone in the next few days.
The college plans to do the same thing for any future projects on campus.
Click HERE to see the story on ABC12!
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Crossover in My City Magazine
As Flint faces many challenges, hope is its driving force. At Crossover Downtown Outreach Ministry, the goal is to give hope and be respectful and caring to those who cross their threshold, or anyone else who asks them for help.
A faith-based, interdenominational mission, Crossover Downtown Outreach Ministry was established to provide free emergency food, clothing, household, personal items and youth programs to those most in need in the community. Crossover also provides faith-based services and programs aimed at restoring hope and rebuilding lives. |
