Cross-Lines Community Outreach Inc

Causes: Emergency Assistance, Human Services

Mission: To provide people affected by poverty with basic services and opportunities that encourage self-confidence and self-sufficiency.

Programs: Emergency assistance programs: the emergency assistance program provided housing stability through rent and utility assistance, homeless rehousing, and provided basic needs. In 2014, cross-lines provided rent and utility assistance to 564 households consisting of 735 children and 852 adults. Through the rapid rehousing program, 20 households, consisting of 30 adults and 22 children, were moved from homelessness into permanent housing. In addition to these housing services, cross-lines provided family basic needs such as diapers, clothing, and toiletries. In 2014, cross-lines provided diapers to 1,662 babies, clothing to 2,063 individuals, and bags filled with toiletries to 1,395 households.

hunger relief: the hunger relief program offers food to low-income seniors, individuals, and families. In 2014, the don bakely community annex served 16,195 breakfasts, 39,829 lunches, and 6,909 sack lunches to the community. The food pantry provides food for families to take home and prepare. In 2014, the food pantry provided food to 1,796 families, consisting of 1,670 children and 5,344 adults. The commodities food distribution program provided 1,200 seniors with a monthly distribution of usda commodities food. The hunger relief programs are supported by the cross-lines community garden. In 2014, the garden produced 4,667 pounds of fresh produce. This produce was distributed through our food pantry and prepared in meals at the community annex.

highlight programs: the highlight programs are designed to meet needs of low-income families and help restore the dignity and respect that are often stripped away due to stress of poverty. The two primary highlight programs are back-to-school and the christmas store. The back-to-school program provides new backpacks filled with school supplies to area children before they start a new school year. Uniform tops and clothing is also provided to children. In 2014, 890 children received backpacks and 110 children received uniform tops. The christmas store provides parents with the opportunity to 'shop' for christmas for their families. Many families struggle to provide for the basic needs of their families, let alone the extra expense of christmas presents. Each parent gets to choose what gifts they will give their children. In 2014, 500 families received new clothing, toys, household goods, and food for christmas.