In November and December, First Unitarian Church is partnering with Crossroads of Iowa. Crossroads of Iowa is a newer organization; beginning in 2012. They have offered classes to the community and are currently providing eight classes a week inside the Polk County Jail. Their goal with in-jail classes is to reduce recidivism.

Crossroads also offers Annual PTSD/Trauma Seminars at Grand View University, with continuing education credits. The Fourth Annual Seminar is in the process of being planned. Therapists, counselors, psychologists and social workers attend and learn new information. They return to all parts of Iowa to better serve their clients.

Crossroads has a future goal of opening a specialized housing program for women who are coming from prison or jail, who have been in treatment. Their goal with specialized housing will be to stabilize women and prepare them to live in the community. There is no other special housing program that serves this category of women.

Crossroads will be very helpful to a community or class of individuals that are oppressed because of gender, race or background. Often times they are left unrecognized and receive very little assistance or support.

http://www.crossroadsofiowa.org/

Learn More at Forums!

In lieu of volunteer opportunities, we hope you attend one of the forums being offered at First Unitarian to learn more about the work Crossroads of Iowa is doing and their goals for the future of the organization:

Sunday, November 6, 11 a.m. in Channing Hall

Sunday, December 4, 11 a.m. in Channing Hall

* First Unitarian Outreach Partners receive 50% of the collections in the service offertory basket for 2 months. A minimum of two opportunities to be involved in the organization’s work are offered during the same 2 month time period. To learn more about the Outreach Partner program, including how to apply, go to http://ucdsm.org/faith-in-action.