Echo Spring 2021 - 7

Although food may be one of the most basic
physical needs, CrossNet works to ensure that
those who connect with the ministry are fed
in other ways as well. For example, CrossNet's
community pillar focuses on adult mentoring,
poverty education and outreach events such
as the Christmas gift program that serves over
500 annually at five schools within the Elanco
School District.
In the social services environment, CrossNet
and its partners provide money management
workshops, counseling, case management, crisis
intervention, transportation services and the Cross
Cares program, which meet specific physical
needs through connections to churches and
individuals. Strong relationships with community
organizations and agencies make these services
possible. In 2020 alone, CrossNet partnered with
54 churches, 150 businesses and 317 volunteers.
Aryn (Burda '18) Smeltzer is active within
this social services realm as CrossNet's Case &
Resource Manager. She and other CrossNet team
members foster relationships and partnerships
involving housing, employment and counseling
to provide a full range of services to clients.
" Relationships are huge, " Smeltzer said. " A lot of
partnerships happen through word of mouth.
One of my favorite questions to ask is, 'How did
you hear about CrossNet?' " Answers vary, from
learning about CrossNet from friends and family
to being a part of a holiday outreach.
Regardless of how they plug in with CrossNet,
community members receive Christ-centered
help that is rooted in dignity, care and respect.
For instance, Smeltzer shared that CrossNet's
Pathways to Housing program offers safe and
affordable housing over a 12- to 18-month
period to those who are experiencing or about to
experience homelessness. She has been privileged
to work alongside families as they secure housing
while also building their credit, gathering referrals
from landlords and working toward being able to
pay fair-market rent.
" They are equipped with a toolbox of resources
so if they hit another crisis, they don't end up in
the same situation, " Smeltzer said.
Through Pathways to Housing, CrossNet offers
affordable two- to three-bedroom rental units.
A recently purchased property provides an
additional eight units to serve families, either
short- or long-term, who may be living in
hotels, in their cars or on the streets. Smeltzer is
especially grateful to work with one female
client who is now safe and secure in housing
with her family.
" She's amazing, " Smeltzer said. " We're so thankful
to be working with her. We try to be very sensitive
to who God is calling us to serve. We pray about
who God will bring to these programs, some of
whom are experiencing a lot of trauma. "
CrossNet reported that in 2020 the ministry
served 769 individuals through case management
and assistance and another 20 through housing
programs. The Youth Center also saw an
enrollment of 285, with 32 mentor partnerships.
Serving the community through food and
nutrition initiatives has tangible results as well.
Last year, nearly 100 youth were served weekly
through Power Packs, 120 children received
Buddy Bags each week, nearly 500 visited the
food pantry each month and more than 11,500
pounds of food were donated monthly. CrossNet
also provided Elanco students 460 backpacks filled
with supplies to start the school year, an average
of 325 individuals attended monthly drive-through
community meals in partnership with Garden
Spot Village, 270 coats were distributed and over
700 summer lunches were served each week.
For so many services to make an impact across
the community, CrossNet is constantly engaged in
plans for growth, which has been a main focus for
Edwards in the area of development since 2016.
Edwards first became involved with CrossNet
through the Youth Center, where he said the goal
is for kids to encounter and build a relationship
with Jesus. Today, he works alongside Dahl to
ensure that CrossNet is able to continue making
a difference well into the future.
" We work to build relationships and connect the
dots with individuals, businesses and churches to
share the CrossNet story and mission, " Edwards
said. These efforts include welcoming volunteers
and planning events such as the 2021 CrossNet
Virtual Banquet, which welcomed professional
figure skater Scott Hamilton on March 30, as
well as a fall Garden Gala, the annual ExtraGive
community day of giving and, in a year dominated
by social distancing, a drive-in dinner and auction.
- Continued on page 8 -
ECHO 7
Aryn Smeltzer
Lisa Kerstetter
Echo Spring 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Echo Spring 2021
