Crossroads

Crossroads at Park Place

Purpose :
Serving homeless persons in southeast Houston by promoting their health, hygiene, and dignity.

Description :
A partnership of volunteers and clients work to provide essential services. Currently open Tuesday mornings from 7am to 1pm providing a safe place to rest, shower, breakfast and lunch, clothes washed and or supplemented, hair cuts, medical screening, vision screening, and counseling. Clients are checked in to a clean, smoke - alcohol - drug free environment for food fellowship and services. Clothes, blankets, shoes, backpacks are provided as available.

Currently, 150 to 200 people are served every Tuesday, men, women, all races, all ages. The only requirement is that they follow the rules posted on the walls - normal rules for acceptable conduct. This is an ecumenical ministry started in 2001 by St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Glenbrook UMC and Park Place UMC but now is supported by many other area churches including CLUMC. It is a 501(c) 3 non-profit operation with a Board of Directors and officers.

Volunteer Roles :
» Intake Assistant (trained volunteer) - greet and check in clients, enter their information into the computer database and identify service needs.

» Counselor (skilled, trained volunteer) - meet with clients to understand needs.

» Clothing Coordinator (trained volunteer) - manage clothing donations, sorting, and availability.

» Laundry Coordinator (trained volunteer) - manage the washing of clothes

» Laundry Assistant (trained volunteer) - label and sort laundry, fill hygiene kits, fill requests for clothing and hygiene items.

» Shower Coordinator (volunteer or client volunteer) - manage the shower line, providing the necessaries, like soap, shampoo, and towel.

» Kitchen Coordinator (trained and certified volunteer) - a City of Houston certified Food Service Manager who manages the production and clean up of breakfast and lunch.

» Kitchen Assistant - (client or volunteer) help with the preparation and cooking of food.

» Pot Washer - (client or volunteer) hand washing items that do not go through the dishwasher.

» Dishwasher - (client or volunteer) operates the dishwasher to clean trays, cups, glasses.

» Food Bank Runner and Helpers (Trained volunteers) - Picks up pre-ordered food from the Houston Food Bank on Monday morning and delivers it to the Park Place UMC.

» Chapel Coordinator : (volunteer) Establish and operate a Bible study and/or church service for clients on a voluntary basis.

» Clean Up Angels - (Client and volunteers) participate in cleaning up at the end of the day.

Contacts:
Trudy Kennedy
Don Treat 713-666-9213
Betty Flanders

If you want more information,
please contact Betty Flanders at 281-488-5111 x114