{"id":10805,"date":"2026-10-16T11:24:53","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T15:24:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/?post_type=impact_story&p=10805"},"modified":"2026-10-16T11:24:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T15:24:53","slug":"a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan","status":"publish","type":"impact_story","link":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/impact-stories\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\/","title":{"rendered":"A Lifeline at Risk: Crossroads of Michigan"},"template":"","class_list":["post-10805","impact_story","type-impact_story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","topic-partners"],"acf":{"details":{"featured_image":10742,"quote":"\u201cI started to cry... learning that the United Way had come through for us in a way that we could have never imagined.\u201d","citation":"Dr. Joseph D. Daniel-Hoste, executive director of Crossroads","topic":[278],"program_theme":false,"button_text":"Read More"},"page_layout":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_impact_story_hero","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_impact_story_hero":{"kicker_text":"Partners","heading":"A Lifeline at Risk","summary":"","image":10742,"cta":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"For thousands of Detroiters, Encrucijada de Michigan<\/a> is the place they turn when there is nowhere else to go. Last year, over 17,000 people came through their doors for food, clothing, hygiene supplies and the vital documents needed to unlock a job, housing or a bank account.\r\n\r\nBut not long ago, there was a very real possibility that those doors could close for good.\r\n\r\nAfter 55 years, Crossroads was facing a financial crisis that threatened its ability to continue serving the community. For an organization that sees an average of 47 people each day, closing would have meant more than the loss of a single nonprofit. It would have meant thousands of families losing a place that offers both immediate help and a path forward.\r\n\r\n\u201cIn the years leading up to 2025, we had what we now call \u2018mission creep,\u2019\u201d said Dr. Joseph D. Daniel-Hoste, executive director of Crossroads. \u201cCrossroads had spread itself thin, trying to do too much.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe were on the brink of collapse, and we had to turn the ship around.\u201d\r\n\r\n\"\"","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"To revive Crossroads, Joseph reconnected with community, partners and launched a Return to Mission campaign.\r\n\r\nAt the time, United Way had received $22 million in funding requests due to the region\u2019s extraordinary need. Knowing the significant resource limitations in the sector, Joseph reached out to United Way for counsel.\r\n\r\n\u201cI laid everything out: how close we were to turning lights off and then Crossroads would just not exist anymore,\u201d said Joseph. \u201cIt was a very hard conversation.\u201d\r\n\r\nLater in 2025, Joseph received a call from United Way. Despite countless variables and obstacles, an opportunity had become available.\r\n\r\n\u201cI started to cry,\u201d said Joseph. \u201cIt was the most amazing surreal moment on vacation at this beautiful camp looking out on the lake and learning that the United Way had come through for us in a way that we could have never imagined.\u201d\r\n\r\n\"\"","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

COMMUNITY STEPS UP<\/h3>\r\nWith a fresh start, Crossroads began a more sustainable journey to serve Detroit. However, the hard times were not over as significant cuts and freezes to federal programs like SNAP and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program required Crossroads to expand their food services.\r\n\r\nThis past spring, United Way\u2019s Sociedad Tocqueville<\/a> launched a special fundraising campaign to support the increased community need for food assistance. Through this increased grant budget, Crossroads received an Emergency Food Grant.\r\n\r\nWhile hosting the Tocqueville Society meeting earlier this year, Joseph was thrilled to come face-to-face with some of the folks that helped Crossroads continue to serve the community.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt was a true pinch yourself moment; telling the story of this incredible grant to Tocqueville and then learning they helped make it possible,\u201d said Joseph. \u201cIt was an amazing experience for everyone in the room, and a story I\u2019ll tell for the rest of my life.\u201d\r\n\r\n\"\"","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"The generosity of United Way\u2019s Tocqueville Society, corporate partners and foundations help make this work possible, supporting United Way\u2019s efforts to invest in trusted community partners like Crossroads so they can adapt and respond when families need them most.\r\n\r\nWith the additional funding, Crossroads could support their integrated, multi-access emergency food programs, including a pantry, grab-and-go meals, and Sunday soup kitchen.\r\n\r\n\u201cAcross our community food insecurity is on the rise,\u201d said Emily. \u201cWe are grateful for the generosity of the Tocqueville Society and the support they provide to help United Way invest in a network of partners who are on the ground every day, helping people meet basic needs, find stability, and create opportunities for a better future.\u201d","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_image_grid","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_image_grid":{"rows":[{"images":[{"image":10704,"override_caption":false,"caption":""},{"image":10870,"override_caption":false,"caption":""}]}],"force_aspect_ratio":false,"lightbox":false}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

HELPING ALICE<\/h3>\r\nIn the three main zip codes Crossroads serves, 64% to 75% of families are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), which means they struggle to meet their most basic needs like food, housing and child care.\r\n\r\nFor families who need it, Crossroads has become a second home. Their lobby feels like a living room complete with couches, a TV playing game shows, colorful murals and a quiet chapel room for prayer and rest.\r\n\r\nJoseph said it\u2019s not unusual to find someone sleeping on the bench in the chapel, adding \u201cif that's what our gift to the community can be, then that's our gift to the community.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cWe\u2019ve moved away from, \u2018Do you have an appointment?\u2019 to \u2018Sure, come on in,\u2019 because we recognize that for some of our clients, this is the only place they have to go.\u201d\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nThrough this welcoming and low barrier approach, Crossroads has become a top food services referral partner for 2-1-1.\r\n\r\n\u201cCrossroads is not a destination; we are the starting point,\u201d said Joseph \u201cYou're going to come to us, and then we're going to launch you somewhere.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cWe are focused on making a real impact, not just providing a band-aid.\u201d\r\n\r\nCrossroads specializes in accessing vital documents necessary to get a job, driver's license, bank account and lease a home or car. There is no sustainable way for families to move out of crisis without these documents.\r\n\r\n\u201cEverybody needs vital documents and so at every opportunity, I raise my hand and say, \u2018Send them to us, this is what we do,\u2019\u201d said Joseph. \u201cWe have cracked the code for every state in the United States, we even do international document reclamation.\u201d\r\n\r\nAlthough these documents are essential, the costs to retrieve them is not often covered by common funding sources, which is why it\u2019s so important United Way provides flexible funds to Crossroads.\r\n\r\n\u201cFlexible funding fills gaps left by other sources,\u201d said Emily Mueller, director of Community Investments at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. \u201cIf left unfilled, folks can\u2019t move towards stability.\u201d\r\n\r\n\"\"","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

STRONGER TOGETHER<\/h3>\r\nWalking around the bustling center, executive director Joseph can hardly believe how partnership shaped a new beginning for Crossroads.\r\n\r\n\u201cIn my time at Crossroads, I have gone all in with United Way,\u201d said Joseph. \u201cI celebrate the work, and we are stronger together.\u201d\r\n\r\nJoseph enjoys being a part of the United Way\u2019s Connect4Care Community Information Exchange and participates in subcommittees for strategic impact and partner engagement.\r\n\r\nCrossroads is also a Connect4Care referral partner through a collaboration with Henry Ford Health and United Way.\r\n\r\n\"\"","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"\u201cI particularly celebrate giving back to a grantor like the United Way because I'm helping to shape the mission,\u201d said Joseph. \u201cThat's a unique experience, not a lot of grantors have those opportunities.\r\n\r\n\u201cI get to be in the room with United Way staff sharing my perspectives, my boots on the ground experience, as well as celebrating the impact grant dollars provide.\u201d\r\n\r\nAs the organization helps more people take their next step towards stability, they\u2019re grateful for the donors who helped them do the same.\r\n\r\nInspired to give back? \u00a1Haga su donaci\u00f3n hoy mismo!<\/a>","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_our_impact","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_our_impact":{"header":{"title":"More stories like this...","abstract":"","link":""},"dynamic_population":false,"version":"1","topic_filter":[],"program_theme_filter":[],"layout":[{"acf_fc_layout":"version_4","story_col_1":8195,"story_col_2":2235}]}}]},"yoast_head":"\nA Lifeline at Risk: Crossroads of Michigan - United Way for Southeastern Michigan<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"For thousands of Detroiters, Crossroads of Michigan is the place they turn when there is nowhere else to go. Last year, over 17,000 people came through their doors for food, clothing, hygiene supplies and the vital documents needed to unlock a job, housing or a bank account.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/impact-stories\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"es_MX\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A Lifeline at Risk: Crossroads of Michigan - United Way for Southeastern Michigan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"For thousands of Detroiters, Crossroads of Michigan is the place they turn when there is nowhere else to go. Last year, over 17,000 people came through their doors for food, clothing, hygiene supplies and the vital documents needed to unlock a job, housing or a bank account.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/impact-stories\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"United Way for Southeastern Michigan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Joseph-at-Crossroads-dinner-table-cropped-1-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1419\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Tiempo de lectura\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"8 minutos\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/impact-stories\\\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/impact-stories\\\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\\\/\",\"name\":\"A Lifeline at Risk: Crossroads of Michigan - United Way for Southeastern Michigan\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/impact-stories\\\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/impact-stories\\\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/Joseph-at-Crossroads-dinner-table-cropped-1-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-16T15:24:53+00:00\",\"description\":\"For thousands of Detroiters, Crossroads of Michigan is the place they turn when there is nowhere else to go. Last year, over 17,000 people came through their doors for food, clothing, hygiene supplies and the vital documents needed to unlock a job, housing or a bank account.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/impact-stories\\\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"es\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/impact-stories\\\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/impact-stories\\\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/Joseph-at-Crossroads-dinner-table-cropped-1-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/Joseph-at-Crossroads-dinner-table-cropped-1-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1419},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/impact-stories\\\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"A Lifeline at Risk: Crossroads of Michigan\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/\",\"name\":\"United Way for Southeastern Michigan\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"United Way for Southeastern Michigan\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/uwsem-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/uwsem-logo.png\",\"width\":768,\"height\":768,\"caption\":\"United Way for Southeastern Michigan\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitedwaysem.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"A Lifeline at Risk: Crossroads of Michigan - United Way for Southeastern Michigan","description":"For thousands of Detroiters, Crossroads of Michigan is the place they turn when there is nowhere else to go. Last year, over 17,000 people came through their doors for food, clothing, hygiene supplies and the vital documents needed to unlock a job, housing or a bank account.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/impact-stories\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\/","og_locale":"es_MX","og_type":"article","og_title":"A Lifeline at Risk: Crossroads of Michigan - United Way for Southeastern Michigan","og_description":"For thousands of Detroiters, Crossroads of Michigan is the place they turn when there is nowhere else to go. Last year, over 17,000 people came through their doors for food, clothing, hygiene supplies and the vital documents needed to unlock a job, housing or a bank account.","og_url":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/impact-stories\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\/","og_site_name":"United Way for Southeastern Michigan","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1419,"url":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Joseph-at-Crossroads-dinner-table-cropped-1-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Tiempo de lectura":"8 minutos"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/impact-stories\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\/","url":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/impact-stories\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\/","name":"A Lifeline at Risk: Crossroads of Michigan - United Way for Southeastern Michigan","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/impact-stories\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/impact-stories\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Joseph-at-Crossroads-dinner-table-cropped-1-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2026-10-16T15:24:53+00:00","description":"For thousands of Detroiters, Crossroads of Michigan is the place they turn when there is nowhere else to go. Last year, over 17,000 people came through their doors for food, clothing, hygiene supplies and the vital documents needed to unlock a job, housing or a bank account.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/impact-stories\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"es","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/impact-stories\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"es","@id":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/impact-stories\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Joseph-at-Crossroads-dinner-table-cropped-1-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Joseph-at-Crossroads-dinner-table-cropped-1-scaled.jpg","width":2560,"height":1419},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/impact-stories\/a-lifeline-at-risk-crossroads-of-michigan\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"A Lifeline at Risk: Crossroads of Michigan"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/","name":"United Way para el sureste de Michigan","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"es"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/#organization","name":"United Way para el sureste de Michigan","url":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"es","@id":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/uwsem-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/uwsem-logo.png","width":768,"height":768,"caption":"United Way for Southeastern Michigan"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/impact_story\/10805","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/impact_story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/impact_story"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/impact_story\/10805\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10873,"href":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/impact_story\/10805\/revisions\/10873"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10742"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10805"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}