In response to my recent article on homelessness, I received a lovely email from Karley Schmidt, a founding member of the local non-profit, CROSSOVERS, who shared with me information about the effort she and her colleagues have undertaken to help those whose lives are compromised by circumstances often out of their control and not always of their making.
In just a few months, their ranks have grown — 23 members strong and counting, with their mission being to help our veterans, service men/women RCMP, the homeless, and those affected by mental illness.
Partnering with several local doctors and other health and wellness professionals has allowed them to make inroads into the concerns of at risk individuals who are often under-serviced, but more needs to be done. One of their goals is to get persons who are homeless off the street, with the long term plan being to build a tiny home village as a safe short term transition. I’m sure you’ll agree that such a proposal is a great idea. If you do, get in touch with the folks at CROSSOVERS and find out how your interests, aptitudes and skills set may be put to good use. Becoming part of the solution will make a huge difference in your life.
Another of their services is to help veterans get all the benefits to which they are entitled while providing assistance to transitioning to civilian life after their service to our country is over. Learning to live again is a challenge for so many, as they defined themselves almost exclusively through their job. They could use your help, too.
CROSSOVERS connects with families of the compromised to engage in discussions about how to help a loved one who is out there and at risk. If you’re a good listener and believe you can help, never feel your input won’t be important and very possibly life altering; not just for the people with whom you will interact, but also for yourself. Community involvement is a growing experience of giving and receiving.
We can help Ms. Schmidt, her team, and all volunteers reach out to the homeless and others by contributing to their personal care packages, whether it’s providing a monetary donation or actually getting out there and putting together these packages (personal hygiene products and the like). Get in touch with the folks at CROSSOVERS to find out how you can help. Then grab a few friends and get to it. You know you want to.
They have plans in the works to do a hot soup/beverage evening downtown in the near future as well as a blanket/jacket drive in preparation for colder weather. Who doesn’t like a good soup?
I really like the idea of their $20 campaign where individuals agree to donate $20/month for a year. Imagine what that infusion of financial help from 100 people, from 1,000 people, from 5,000 people can do.
Ms. Schmidt tells me that they have members from all walks of life ( veterans, currently serving military, retired RCMP, early childhood development, health care, mechanics, teachers, etc) which enables them to interact with those in need on an equal footing without ego. Ego is left at the door, or on the curb, as the case may be.
Their motto is "never assume you know someone's story" and their name, CROSSOVERS is an acronym (Citizens, Resourcing, Ongoing, Support, Services, Offering, Veterans (and others), Encouragement, Respect, and Self-sufficiency). Ms. Schmidt and her partners in service found that far too many people are falling through the cracks for many reasons and they wanted to be that helping hand to pull them back up. I wholeheartedly agree with her when she says that “everyone deserves to have a good quality of life and be respected and we hope to enable that, one person at a time.”
CROSSOVERS can do so much more if their numbers expand and that’s where you come in. Your resources pooled with those of a few of your friends can have a lasting impacted on one life, on many lives.
The only way society can make that difference is by coming together and pooling all resources available in a compassionate,non-judgmental, and helpful way. CROSSOVERS strives to be one of those resources.
As cold weather approaches and those compromised by the elements need our help more than ever, what better time to get involved. Perhaps you might find your true calling and make volunteering part of your presence in the community. As well, involving children returned to school is a perfect teachable moment. Within their ranks may be a whole new group of volunteers to fill in the gaps our province is currently experiencing, as the ‘old guard’ ages out of their service to community. Imagine all the class projects that could be organised in the spirit of community service.
Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, New Brunswick with her aging Australian silky terrier and a rambunctious Maltese. She can be reached at carmacrockwell@xplornet.ca via email.
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