CROSSROADS HISTORY
As an organization we have grown so much and we continue to grow and adapt with our client base offering safety, advocacy, education and connection to community.
In 1989, after 3 years of operating as a Resource Centre to address Family Violence, Crossroads received a grant to expand their services to become a satellite shelter. Previous to this Crossroads volunteers would transport women and children to Odyssey House in Grande Prairie, as they were the only women’s shelter serving the Northwest region. This expansion of services allowed Crossroads to hire their first paid Client Care Worker. By 1990, Crossroads was able to offer emergency housing to women and children for up to 7 days. Today Crossroads women’s shelter is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and
can accommodate up to 20 women and children for up to 4 weeks (sometimes longer).
In 1989 Fairview & District Women’s Centre decided to change it’s operating name as they were not just supporting women. The centre held a contest open to the community and the board chose the winning name, Crossroads. The board thought the new name reflected that they assisted men, women and children in crisis and that they provided a range of services and programs for the community.
DID YOU KNOW THAT 2021 WAS CROSSROADS' 35TH ANNIVERSARY?
THEN
In June of 1986 Crossroads, then known as Fairview & District Women’s Centre, held their Grand Opening. The centre was originally started as a Resource Centre to address Family Violence, only offering emergency overnight accommodations. Fairview & District Women’s Centre was volunteer ran and only open to the public 2 days a week. The Help and Information Line was forwarded to volunteers home phones from 8:00 pm – 2:00 am.
NOW
Crossroads in 2021 is a fully operational 24/7 emergency women’s shelter ran by a Shelter Manager and Crisis Intervention Workers. The Help Line is now 24 hours and is monitored by our shelter staff. The Resource Centre is open Monday – Friday offering supports to community members. New To You Market serves shelter residents, outreach clients and the local community.
