KEARNEY, Neb. — Some are without jobs. Others are drowning in debt. Many have broken relationships.
These people all have one thing in common — they want to turn their lives around. By Thursday morning, 14 people had checked into Crossroads Center Rescue Mission.
The homeless shelter opened Wednesday.
"We thought it would take about two weeks to get full," site manager Elnida Chandler said. "We're probably on track to do that."
The homeless shelter, located in the former Girls and Boys Home at 1404 E. 39th St., will house as many as 27 people.
Crossroads, which was established in Hastings in 1983, is a Christian organization that has a four-phase program that equips participants for successful living in the community. The phases allow participants to attend life skills classes, do community service, attend Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings, attend counseling, begin a job search, begin paying off debts, begin saving money and attend leadership skills classes.
Guests are given a three-day introductory period to determine whether Crossroads is appropriate for them. All guests are required to begin budgeting their money upon arrival.
"People have to be at that point that they really want to make changes," Chandler said.
Of the people now living at Crossroads, there are two families with children, two couples, two single women and two single men.
"It's going to take time for these individuals to turn their lives around," Chandler said. "It's a process."
The average stay at the Crossroads in Hastings is 62 days, she said.
The guests attended orientation Thursday to learn their responsibilities and the schedule at Crossroads. Life-skills classes will begin next week.
Life-skills classes will cover nutrition, finances, taxes and other topics.
Chandler said donations are always needed to keep Crossroads running.
Hygiene products, food, paper products and products for babies are in demand.
Volunteers also are needed. Crossroads needs teachers or nurses to teach life-skills classes.
In October 2011, Crossroads announced a $2 million capital fundraising campaign. It has raised about $900,000.
For more information on Crossroads or about supporting the Crossroads Center's Capital Campaign, call 308-236-5688.
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