November 2005

Greetings from Crossroads in Minneapolis! In my past letters I usually make some lighthearted references to our cold or unpredictable weather. Somehow weather does not seem to be the best topic to fool around with these days. Instead I will reference the seemingly endless Minnesota season of “road construction”. Each day begins with how to get to my job or other parts of the city. Like a rat in a maze, I am stopped and detoured, ending up in places I never knew existed. It seems that over-night a fine, fully-functioning street, is converted into a free parking lot. Oh well, life should be one big happy adventure… right?

We continue to serve the recovering addict with a mindset that says “anything is possible”. Even those with a long history of drug addiction find their way out of the cycle of destruction. Those that come to Crossroads are searching for who they are, rather than what they became through their drug use. While I am deeply troubled by the increase in methamphetamine use I am more determined than ever to help guide these individuals into lifestyle of chemical freedom. You can’t move forward in life when you are dragging the “ball and chain” of addiction, no matter what the drug may be. Crossroads is a safe haven, a place of new beginnings and hope for the future. Our job is to give our residents the tools they will need to live healthy productive lives. Here are some examples of the “How to” questions our residents face daily. “How do I express to my family, spouse, or significant other the feelings that I have suppressed for so long?” “How do I deal with the anxiety of getting back to my job… meeting my co-workers again and answering their questions of where have I been?” How do I manage my daily living; buying food, getting transportation, where I go, who I see?” “How do I have fun without first drinking or using drugs?”

One of the first decisions a person needs to make after completing treatment is where to live. Returning to the same setting, surrounded by old memories, old friends or familiar feeling (which we refer to as “cues, triggers or signals”) is just too dangerous. New recovery needs shelter and nurturing, not signals that turn an individual back to drugs.

Recovery can happen at Crossroads, but financial support is needed to keep the cost to our residents as low as possible. Adjusting for inflation, our monthly fee of $615 is less today than in 1988, yet many struggle to be able to pay that amount. The truth is that for a young person of 18 or 19years that is a chunk of change plus the individuals earning capacity isn’t there when making only minimum wage. By the way, for over 35years Crossroads has provided the following; housing, all utilities, free laundry, free parking and of course, the professional services of three state-licensed alcohol and drug counselors. In addition, one of our staff is a state-certified gambling addiction provider which allows us to help with those with a dual diagnosis.

So, here’s the deal……….Crossroads IS making a difference in the lives of recovering addicts and their families. It is a place that teaches ways of living in the world chemically free. And, it needs to remain affordable for those who desperately seek help for their addiction.

Please make Crossroads one of those places that you believe in whose mission you want to support. I invite you to check out the rest of our website to see possible ways of giving to the program. As a 501 (c) 3 organization all donations are fully tax deductible.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I hope that all is well with you and those you love. If you have any questions or thoughts you want to share, please call or email me.

Warmest regards,

Sharron Johnson
Executive Director

The BEST and most beautiful things in the world            
cannot be seen or touched;                     
they must be felt with the Heart.         

Helen Keller