News

Crossroads Mission Avenue is grateful to receive donations of $10,000 from the Lexington Ministerial Association and $6,000 from the Trinity Foundation. This grant funding toward the Crossroads’  Lexington Capital Campaign will help bring emergency shelter services and transitional housing options to Dawson County residents and is a critical step in meeting the current needs in Central Nebraska. Crossroads is actively searching for an appropriate facility to serve the western region of Nebraska and is continuing the campaign to raise the funding needed to bring homeless services to Lexington.

The Lexington clergy are well aware of the needs in Dawson County and are showing their support for Crossroads’ efforts to serve the community through this generous donation. According to the US Census Bureau (QuickFacts on Nebraska and Lexington city), the per capita income in the past 12 months (2017 – 2021) in Lexington is $21,229, which is below the Nebraska per capita income statewide average of $35,189. Within the last year, Crossroads has served 4,638 households representing 16,638 individuals with a monthly mobile food pantry in partnership with Food Bank for the Heartland. This monthly food distribution is bringing relief to many families experiencing food insecurities. A core value of Crossroads Mission Avenue is to care for those in need in Central Nebraska. Crossroads Mission Avenue regularly partners with local clergy to recognize and meet the needs of families within the communities where they serve. The addition of a Crossroads Mission Avenue shelter in Lexington will bring critical relief to the mid-Nebraska region, as emergency shelter services are scarce from Kearney westward. The needs are great, and Crossroads Mission Avenue is Following the Need to serve the Lexington community.

Crossroads Mission Avenue Executive Director, Daniel Buller believes that Crossroads is in a unique position to serve the homeless and needy men, women, and families of Dawson County. “The ministry of Crossroads Mission Avenue is blessed to be in a position that allows us to expand our services across underserved areas of Central Nebraska. Our dedication is “bringing glory to God through the helping of people”. We are committed to serving Lexington and Dawson County by offering emergency shelter and transitional living services along with Bible-based programming and case management to help stop cycles of poverty in the lives of those we are privileged to serve. God is glorified when we compassionately extend a helping hand to our struggling neighbors and help carry the burdens that lend to the state of homelessness that people are faced with. At Crossroads we refer to each individual as a guest of the mission, and we are excited to soon open the doors to our Lexington guests and see the amazing work of God in their lives. Thank you to everyone who is willing to help make this amazing facility, programming, and case management a reality for this area of the great state of Nebraska.” 

Crossroads Mission Avenue has been serving the homeless in Central Nebraska for 40 years, with locations in Kearney, Grand Island, and Hastings, and is anxious to add the campus in Lexington soon. They provide comprehensive care in a nurturing environment, including services such as safe shelter, hot meals, life skills classes, and personalized case management to help their guests gain employment, financial independence, and stable housing. The transitional housing component allows guests to take the next step in their recovery with supportive services close by before moving on to complete independence and self-sufficiency. These steps equip Crossroads guests for successful living after their time at the shelter and lead to homelessness prevention. 

In January, the Mission Avenue Thrift store opened at 907 W 8^th St in Lexington. Each Crossroads Mission Avenue location includes a Mission Avenue Thrift Store which provides local employment and volunteer opportunities while providing a local option for low-cost clothing and household goods. Sales from the thrift stores directly support the homeless ministry in each location and are an essential part of Crossroads’ sustainability model.

Crossroads Mission Avenue’s mission is to bring glory to God through the helping of people.  Homelessness recovery is a long, complicated process for many of their guests, and step by step, Crossroads is there to help them in that process.