Cross-Lines Community Outreach, Inc

🔊 Volunteer, WE NEED YOU! 🔊
There are plenty of open dates to serve lunch in the Community Kitchen over the next few months. See a date that works for you and/or your group? Reach out to [email protected] to claim it or for more information!

OPEN slots:
August 16th, 21st, 23rd, 27th
September 11th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 24th
October 16th, 22nd, 25th, 29th, 30th, 31st

We can't wait to see you there! 💚

Collaboration is key🔑💚🏠

☕What a wonderful morning!☕ We had a great turn out for our second monthly Coffee with Cross-Lines featuring a conversation around mental health. We were delighted to welcome friends from Shelter KC: A Kansas City Rescue Mission, ScriptPro, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, and KU 💚

From Rob, our Director of Programs, after discussing the many challenges of addressing mental health across the wide spectrum present in our community: "This may seem like a bleak picture, but our practice is all built on hope. Hope is our guiding light. Hope, determination, and the strong belief that people can and do recover."

We hope you will join us for our next Coffee with Cross-Lines on August 7th! Register here: https://forms.gle/o92d3Qt7j4T4Jcpt8

Cross-Lines offices and services will be closed on Thursday, July 4th and Friday, July 5th, in observance of Independence Day. Stay safe! 💚

🌟 Hopeful Horizons Monthly Update is out today! 🌟

Our May service numbers continue to reflect the ever-present need in Wyandotte County. At Cross-Lines, we are working hard to serve our community, thanks to our dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and your unwavering support. Thousands of people fed. Dozens of bills paid. Nine new homes. We can't do it without YOU 💚

There's a lot more in the e-newsletter! Want to receive the monthly update straight to your inbox? Visit our website to join our mailing list! 📧

Don't forget to stop by ANY Yogurtini KC location on Wednesday, July 3rd to grab yourself a sweet treat 🍦 and support Cross-Lines' vital programs! Show this post and 20% of your purchase will go back to Cross-Lines! 💚

Change happens when caring people work hard together towards a common goal.
Last week, Cross-Lines was honored to co-host the WyCo Housing Supports Ecosystem Bus Tour/Lunch & Learn with United Community Services of Johnson County. During lunch and along the way, participants learned about the unique challenges that WYCO is facing and the opportunities to improve the lives of Wyandotte County residents. The event started with lunch at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown KCK. From there, we took a ride around town, heard from several community speakers/organizations and stopped to tour Cross-Lines' campus and the brand new tiny homes at Eden Village of Kansas City.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success and our wonderful attendees! We are looking toward a bright future for Wyandotte County! ☀
Avenue of Life
Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
Community Housing of Wyandotte County, Inc. (CHWC)
Wyandot Behavioral Health Network

🎉 Congratulations to Rachel Russell, Cross-Lines' Director of Community Engagement, on receiving the Community Champion Award from Community Housing of Wyandotte County, Inc. (CHWC)! This award celebrates nonprofit leaders and elected officials who have signifacantly invested in the wellbeing of the community and in advancing CHWC's mission.
Rachel's dedication and passion for our community shine through in everything she does. Thank you, Rachel, for your incredible work and commitment! 🌟

☕️ Join us for our July Coffee with Cross-Lines! ☕️

Beat the heat and start your morning right with a cup of coffee and engaging conversation around the issues that matter most to our community and the work we do. Let's get together to share ideas, connect, and make a difference!

🗓 Date: July 3rd
🕰 Time: 7:45 AM
📍Cross-Lines Community Market Volunteer Room
🎫 Register here: https://forms.gle/dcDfxcV97bJj67C66 (FREE to attend!)

Your support and voice are invaluable to us. We can't wait to see you there!

“Freedom is never really won; you earn it and win it in every generation.” — Coretta Scott King

Today, we join in celebrating Juneteenth, a day that marks the true liberation of enslaved African Americans in 1865. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of Black history and the ongoing fight for equality and justice.

Happy Juneteenth! ❤️🖤💚

📅 One week until Juneteenth! Let's celebrate freedom, history, and culture with a series of incredible events in Kansas City. From parades to festivals, there's something for everyone. Check out the list of events below and join us in honoring this significant day. ❤🖤💚

Juneteenth Events in Kansas City:
Juneteenth Film Festival | Now-Wednesday, June 26 | Times vary | Screenland Armour, 408 Armour Rd., North Kansas City, MO | $13 | Watch the creations of local Black filmmakers such as “Kansas City Dreamin’” alongside other works highlighting the Black community.
https://www.screenland.com/now-playing

Juneteenth Heritage Festival | Saturday, June 15 | 12-10 p.m. | 18th & Vine District, KCMO | $30 | Headlined by Kelly Price herself, this district-wide party has everything from local Black art vendors to morning hip-hop yoga.
https://www.juneteenthkc.com/mainstage-lineup

Juneteenth Twilight Parade + Festival | Saturday, June 15 | 6:45 p.m. | Haymarket Square, 649 Cherokee St., Leavenworth, KS | Free entry | Cheer on the parade, then listen to live music while shopping.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1324209444945474/?ref=newsfeed

BlaKC | Wednesday, June 19 | 8-9:30 p.m. | The Bird Comedy Theater, 103 W. 19th St., KCMO | Donations encouraged | Break out your belly laughs — this troupe of local Black comedians are headlining and have plans to make you cackle all night long.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blakc-at-the-bird-tickets-922075150597

More Events: https://www.juneteenthkc.com/calendar

Donate with a Double TONIGHT at Freddy's in Lenexa! 🍔🙌🎉
Stop by Freddy's and enjoy a delicious meal while supporting Cross-Lines. Every purchase helps provide essential services to those in need. Let's come together as a community and make a positive impact. See you at Freddy's tonight! 🍔🍟🍦

We had a great time walking in the KC Pride Parade today! 🌈💚
It was beautiful to witness such an outpouring of joy and love. Thousands of people came out to celebrate an amazing and inclusive community. Happy Pride! 🥳

🌈 Join us at the KC Pride Parade on June 8th! 🌈

Cross-Lines staff and volunteers will be walking to celebrate love, diversity, and the fight for a more equitable world. The parade kicks off at 11am from Westport Rd. & Broadway Blvd., travels south on Mill Creek Pkwy., and ends at Cleaver Blvd. and Oak St. where KC PrideFest takes place at Theis Park.
We hope to see you along the route or at the park! 🌟✨

Yesterday, we had our first ever Coffee with Cross-Lines.☕
We had a lively chat about the current state of homelessness in our community. It was fantastic to create a relaxed space for conversation and hear our guests' thoughts on this important topic and our work in the community.

Some snippets from our conversation:

"Homelessness is a housing problem"

"We need to bring more leaders closer to the issues"

"Sometimes I feel disconnected, so this was a great opportunity to learn more"

We hope you will join us next month on Wednesday, July 3rd, for our next Coffee with Cross-Lines.

July's discussion topic will be Mental Health and how it weaves throughout our work and most likely, yours!

We'll provide the coffee and donuts. Just bring yourself (and maybe a friend), and we'll continue building this little community of caring people.💚

RSVP to attend July 3rd: https://forms.gle/XXLEVwQvyMC8boTk8

🌟 Volunteer Spotlight! 🌟

We are thrilled to honor Oralia as Cross-Lines' Volunteer of the Month! 🙌 Oralia's dedication shines brightly in both our Kitchen and Market, where her hard work and warm spirit make a huge impact. Thank you, Oralia, for your incredible service and unwavering commitment to our community!

Read on to learn more about Oralia...

Q. How long have you been volunteering at Cross-Lines?
A. Since August of last year

Q. What do you love most about volunteering at Cross-Lines?
A. I love to help. When I’m here, I love to organize the shelves. Helping in the Kitchen is always a great time. I love meeting and working with the staff. Getting to know them has been wonderful!

Q. Where can we usually find you volunteering?
A. I previously volunteered with the Sisters Poor of Jesus Christ. For five years, I helped them serve meals to people experiencing homelessness. Now I volunteer with Cross-Lines, in the Community Kitchen and Market.

Q What is your favorite thing to bake/cook?
A. I love cooking tamales, menudo, and posole. I also love making mosaic gelatin cakes and baking cheesecake.

Are YOU ready to get involved? Visit our website for more information about volunteering at Cross-Lines! 💚

Don't forget to register and join us for our first Coffee with Cross-Lines morning chat! We hope to see you Wednesday morning!

See you next week? ☕🍩
Join us for our very first Coffee with Cross-Lines gathering! On June 5th, we will be discussing homelessness and our efforts to assist our unhoused neighbors. YOU can get involved!

Date: Wednesday, June 5th
Time: 7:45-8:45a
Location: Community Market Volunteer Room

*This event is FREE to attend. Seats are limited.

Please RSVP HERE: https://forms.gle/fPtivm5bgniTHZ3ZA

Hopeful Horizons email update is out TODAY and it's official: April was a month of incredible impact at Cross-Lines! 📈

We had 1,570 market visits, served 4,539 meals, housed 6 individuals, and clocked in an incredible 1,469 volunteer hours.

Thank you to everyone who makes this work possible! 💚

Happy Pride Month from Cross-Lines! 🌈
We celebrate and stand with the LGBTQIA+ community, embracing love, diversity, and inclusion. Together, let's continue to build a world where everyone feels valued and supported. 💚

See you next week? ☕🍩
Join us for our very first Coffee with Cross-Lines gathering! On June 5th, we will be discussing homelessness and our efforts to assist our unhoused neighbors. YOU can get involved!

Date: Wednesday, June 5th
Time: 7:45-8:45a
Location: Community Market Volunteer Room

*This event is FREE to attend. Seats are limited.

Please RSVP HERE: https://forms.gle/fPtivm5bgniTHZ3ZA

Thank you to our incredible supporters and community partners!🎉

Because of your generosity, we raised over $42,000 at the Legacy Breakfast and accompanying matching campaign!

These funds will go a long way in feeding and housing Kansas Citians in need. Your support makes a real difference in our community. Together, we’re making Kansas City a better place for everyone. 💚

Thank you, NFM, for inviting us to participate in your Staff Community Fair! We love all that you do to give back! 💚

🌟 We've got BIG news! 🌟

A generous donor has agreed to match every donation up to $10,000 for Cross-Lines Community Outreach! Your support will go twice as far in helping us provide vital services to those in need.

Donate by Sunday, May 26th to double your impact and make a real difference in our community.

Let’s come together and make this happen!


Donate here: https://bit.ly/44kPEAF

Cross-Lines Community Outreach, Inc Cross-Lines was established in 1963 as a place of hope for those struggling with the hardships of poverty.

We are just a few days away from the 2024 Legacy Breakfast! YOU can make a difference right now by purchasing raffle tickets for this deluxe at-home coffee package! 💚☕🙌

Luxury Home Espresso Machine + Extras!
Take home a coffee lover's dream!
Indulge in the ultimate coffee lover's dream with our exclusive raffle package, curated to elevate your home espresso experience to new heights.

Picture yourself as your own barista, crafting the perfect brew with the Breville home espresso machine, renowned for its precision and quality. But that's not all – we've included essential tools to master the art of espresso making, ensuring every cup is a masterpiece.

Enhance your coffee ritual with four beautifully designed, artsy espresso mugs, adding a touch of elegance to your mornings. And what's espresso without exceptional beans? Delight your palate with a bag of premium Intelligentsia espresso beans, sourced from the finest growers and roasted to perfection, promising rich flavor and irresistible aroma with every sip.

But the best part? Each ticket for this tantalizing raffle package starts at just $20 (less if you purchase more tickets!), offering you the chance to win while supporting a worthy cause. Proceeds from every ticket sold go towards benefiting Cross-Lines' programs, empowering individuals and families in need within our community.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to transform your coffee routine while making a meaningful difference. Purchase your tickets today and treat yourself to the luxury of gourmet coffee, all while giving back to those in need.

(Winner does not have to be present to win. Must pick up from Cross-Lines within 10 business days. Prize will NOT ship.)

TICKETS HERE: https://bit.ly/44kPEAF

We are looking for YOU! If you like to make people smile, give back to your community, and have some fun, we've got just the thing. Volunteer to serve lunch in the Community Kitchen! 💚
Reach out to Kitana ([email protected]) to learn more or schedule your group for an available date!

We heard you like donuts 🍩...
You are in luck! From now until National Doughnut Day on June 7th, individuals can purchase a dozen donuts via our fundraising page from Krispy Kreme and 50% of the cost comes back to Cross-Lines Community Outreach!

Treat your office, family, or friends to doughnuts this month while supporting a great cause 💚 https://grouprai.se/krispykreme39384sa

Cross-Lines Community Outreach is thrilled to continue working alongside United Way of Greater Kansas City, as part of its Impact 100 again this year!
This designation includes 100 local nonprofits working to address
our community’s most critical health and human service needs. It
comes with unrestricted funding to support our work. Thank you,
United Way of Greater Kansas City!

Together, we’re building a Kansas City where all can thrive. 💚

🎉 As Volunteer Appreciation Week comes to a close, we want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to all the incredible volunteers who make Cross-Lines shine! 🌟 Whether you joined us at Cheers to Volunteers or contributed your time and effort in other ways, your dedication does not go unnoticed. Your passion and commitment truly make a difference in our community. Let's continue to spread kindness and support each other in making positive change happen! 🙌

Consider Eileen’s story: Eileen is a lifelong Wyandotte resident and mother of seven, including Iziah, who volunteers regularly in the Market.

Over the years, she has turned to Cross-Lines for assistance from time to time after struggling with addiction in the past. Eileen has been in recovery for six years and credits much of her success to the stability and resources that Cross-Lines provides.

Cross-Lines’ Market is there for her when she needs food to feed her family. The Kitchen is a dependable place to get a meal. Cross-Lines’ programs truly provide a refuge of dignity, community, and support for the neighbors we serve.

You can help us reach more people just like Eileen. People who need a break or a little help after dealing with an unexpected crisis. Your gift will help us meet the sharply increasing need we are seeing every day at Cross-Lines.

The neighbors we help are people who used to be able to make their budgets stretch and no longer can. They are families forced to choose between paying their rent and buying food to feed their children. They are people who want nothing more than a chance to reach their potential.

This holiday season, we're asking for your help to ensure that our Hunger Relief and Housing programs remain strong. Make a gift today: https://bit.ly/3Op20Pn 💚