Crosswalk

A letter from a volunteer

I was asked to write about Crosswalk since I’ve been volunteering there over 20 years and have been through many transitions there. Cheney UCC, specifically Women’s Fellowship, has supported Crosswalk for years in the form of providing lunch once a month and with financial donations. This has been very helpful because Crosswalk provided almost 10000 meals in 2014. Seventy per cent of funding comes from donations. That takes a many caring people.

Crosswalk is a shelter for street kids and at-risk youth 13 to 18 years old. After 18 they can no longer receive overnight services or participate in meals although they may be eligible for Care Packages. Spokane Falls Community College provides school during the day. School is available to kids until they are 21 years, and all are welcome to have lunch.

The classes offered by SFCC include GED, high school completion if the child has already earned a substantial number of credits, and some college prep. Some children have continued to attend their high school which can mean early mornings and a long commute. Crosswalk serves children from the Spokane area but also small towns which includes Cheney.

I’ve seen kids have success no matter what their circumstances. There are many barriers for kids who don’t have family support and are looking toward adulthood needing to earn a living or desperately wanting to attend college. We have cheered when a child has decided to take charge of their life and has found a job and/or has been accepted into a university or trade school. Sometimes it means deciding to choose a different life style than living on the streets.

Other services provided to the children are overnight services up until 18. Kids can also get clothing, toiletries, anything people need to live. There is also a drug and alcohol counselor who provides information and to anyone interested as well as “group” meetings a couple of times a week.

Volunteering has added to my life in the form of meeting wonderful people who also volunteer and of keeping up with the “latest” interests of kids. Anyone who is interested in volunteering call Crosswalk at (509) 838-6596 and ask for the volunteer coordinator.

Thanks UCC for helping out the kids who need it the most.

Joyce Malone