About Crossroads
Crossroads Safehouse has been providing shelter, outreach and prevention in the Fort Collins area for 40 years.
In 1980, our founders came together with a growing concern about the lack of services for victims of domestic violence and interpersonal abuse. They approached the City of Fort Collins, who partnered with them on a Block Grant, and with those funds they purchased a 4-bedroom house. Every room was filled on the same day that our doors were opened. Today, we are in a 29,000 square foot building that includes 31 rooms and 4 neighborhoods.
Crossroads assists victims of domestic violence with emergency shelter, food, clothing and medical care during their stay. We are open 24/7/365, and our residents are able to stay with us a maximum of eight-weeks.
We also serve non-resident clients with outreach advocacy. Individuals and families reach us through our crisis line, which is answered by a trained advocate who will assist with safety planning, trauma informed care and advocacy.
Along with our shelter and outreach programs, we provide legal advocacy, a Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) that assists at an incident site, Road to Home Rapid Rehousing Program, Youth and Family Advocacy, a Bilingual Program and on-site law representation through our Bringing Justice Home Project. Our prevention program features Time to Talk, a peer education program with the Poudre School District on teen dating violence and how to foster healthy relationships.
Crossroads aspires to create a future without domestic violence. We will continue to focus on sheltering, outreach and prevention with an eye toward doing all that we possibly can to reduce the need for our services.
Our Mission/Vision
Mission
Crossroads Safehouse shelters, supports, advocates for, and empowers all people so we can live free of domestic violence and interpersonal abuse.
Vision
A community free of domestic violence and interpersonal abuse.
Board of Directors
Alita King
Member
Heather Matz
Member
Angie Penland
President
Keely Mendicino
Secretary
Tracy Katz
Treasurer
Lorenda Volker
Vice President
Doug Dohn
Member
Marcella Wells, PhD
Member
Julie Zinn
Member
Staff
Erica
Outreach & Prevention Manager
Hill
Business Operations Manager
Jacqueline
Director of Development & External Relations
Kelli
Road to Home Program Manager
Pam
Executive Director
Rebekah
Managing Attorney
Reina
Direct Services Manager
Stacie
Legal Program & DART Manager
Tom
Facilities Manager
History
In 1980, within two hours of opening our doors for the very first time, our facility was at capacity. Since then, the need to support victims of domestic violence and interpersonal abuse persists.
As we reflect on Crossroads Safehouse’s 40th year of providing lifesaving services to our community, we have a deeper appreciation of what our founders understood years ago.
In 1977, a task force of representatives of the District Attorney’s Office, mental health organizations, law enforcement, community agencies and women’s organizations united to address the lack of services for battered women in Larimer County. Together, they formed what would come to be referred to as the Battered Women’s Task Force. This task force identified the development of a shelter as its top priority and began seeking funding. In 1979, the City of Fort Collins awarded $100,000 in Community Development Block Grants to purchase a shelter facility. The Battered Women’s Task Force proceeded to elect a Board of Directors and was then admitted as a United Way agency. Striking an agreement with the City of Fort Collins for a long-term $1 per year lease, they secured their first facility. In 1980, the safehouse was renovated and opened its doors to clients on August 12, 1980.
Since then, the organization has grown considerably. Crossroads Safehouse is now housed in a 29,000 square foot facility with 31 rooms that can accommodate 96 people, serving men, women, and children every day of the year. As the population grows in Northern Colorado, our team of 31 dedicated staff members works hard to provide wrap-around services to victims in need including access to our emergency shelter with therapy, legal advice, food, and much more.
1977
A task force of representatives of the District Attorney’s office, mental health organizations, law enforcement, community agencies, and women’s organizations began meeting to address the lack of services for battered women in Larimer County. The task force identified the development of a shelter as its top priority and began seeking funding for this goal.
1979
The City of Fort Collins awarded $100,000 in Community Development Block Grants to purchase a facility. The Battered Women’s Task Force was incorporated, elected a Board of Directors, was admitted to United Way as a member agency, and purchased a facility. The City of Fort Collins owns the facility with a long-term lease at $1/year to Crossroads.
1980
The Safehouse was renovated and opened its doors to clients on August 12, 1980. Crossroads filled its four bedrooms to capacity within its first day of opening.
1982
Crossroads held its first Fabric of Legacies fund-raiser, a quilt show held at the Lincoln Center.
1985
Outreach counseling services and support groups for women and children in the community were added.
1985 - 1986
An adjacent house was purchased with funds from the Community Development Block Grant Program. The second house was renovated to expand capacity to eight bedrooms and to add on-site staff offices, a counseling room and a children's playroom.
1988
Crossroads worked with other agencies to establish the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, a coalition of programs dealing with domestic violence in the county. As a part of this project, Crossroads began the Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART).
1988 - 1989
The adolescent/teen outreach program was started through a grant from United Way.
1989
Crossroads began a second major annual fund-raiser, its membership drive.
1990
Crossroads expanded its programs with court advocates (support with court appearances and processes).
1995
An addition was added to the shelter to provide more bedrooms and office space. The addition included four additional bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, five staff offices and a meeting room for groups.
2008
Columbine Health Systems donated an unused nursing home to be renovated into a new Safehouse.
2010
Crossroads Safehouse completed a $6.1 million capital campaign for its renovation.
2011
Crossroads Safehouse opened its new 104-bed safehouse to provide shelter and services to area victims of domestic violence.
2020
We have 31 rooms and 96 beds. Five of the rooms are used for Road to Home.