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Welcome to Crossroads. Read on to learn about our mission, members, and founders

 

Mission Statement

 

To assist, advocate, and educate youth to become positive, resilient, and contributing members of society by providing a safe environment that empowers higher education, and healthy living, fosters social responsibility and community involvement.

 

About Us: 

Crossroads Youth Center is a 501c3 youth organization. Our programs are organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation. Crossroads fosters positive character, and education and empowers youth to value and participate in their communities as volunteers and leaders. Over the past several years, CYC has expanded its many programs in Maine and internationally, reaching the US, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands, teaching tolerance, resilience, kindness, and respect in our schools, community, and the world.

 

Our Goals

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Crossroads’ goal is to provide a healthy and nurturing organization to support the physical, social, and mental growth and development of children, youth, teens, and their families.

 

Crossroads teaches tolerance through volunteering, character education, and positive social behaviors. We believe when we come together as a unified group, we create a better world preparing every child for a lifetime of resiliency, volunteerism, and leadership.

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Crossroads defines these competencies through:

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• Social awareness and responsibility, social justice, and character education based on the 40      Developmental Assets ®. https://www.search-institute.org/our-research/development-assets/developmental-assets-framework/

• Providing College Scholarships as an award for civic engagement and volunteerism

• Providing youth with the foundation through a partnership of the 5 America’s Promises™   https://americaspromise.org of healthy starts,   caring adults, safe places, education, and service.

• Physical and psychological health program that provides education on healthy choices, eating, and    mental health.

• Encouraging service-learning and discovery

• Youth-led volunteering, mentoring, and leadership programs including inclusion diversity and respect.

• Supporting adults to raise resilient children, see more below

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NOTE: Crossroads designed all their programs on researched based information. We use and are members of America's Promise and use the 40 developmental assets to ensure our program's authenticity.

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In 1997, Deb and Darrin Landry were inspired to develop a socially responsible program for youth to attend after school that was safe, educational, accepting to all, and supporting community involvement and volunteering.  The organization known as Crossroads today continually grows and advocates for a safe, healthy environment for children, youth, and teens.  As our society evolves, so does Crossroads. 

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The Landry's believe that when we positively work together as a community to raise our children, we can create a world of strong, socially, and environmentally resilient adults who are nurtured to understand physical and mental health prevention, education, and social responsibility and acceptance to all regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. We are all equal. 

 

Their program came to fruition on January 1, 1999, when Crossroads Youth Center (CYC) became a 501 c3 organization,  a youth organization that fosters positive character education and empowers youth to value and participate in their communities as volunteers and leaders.  CYC has expanded its many programs in Maine and internationally, reaching the US, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands.  

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Crossroads welcome everyone to get involved as an individual, as an organization, or with your family to teach tolerance, inclusion, resilience, health awareness, kindness, and respect in our homes, schools, community, and the world. 

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Biographies 

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Deb Landry has worked in healthcare administration and nonprofit administration for over 45 years specializing in organizational and operational management.

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As president and co-founder of Bryson Taylor Inc, she oversees, develops, and manages seminars, executive duties, marketing, project management, administration, communications, grant writing, and contracting. She serves as the chief editor of Bryson Taylor Publishing and Crossroads.
Her experience includes:

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  • A medical management consultant

  • 40+ years in healthcare management as CEO, COO managing nonprofit and the private sector

  • Lecturer, author, trainer, event planner, professional coach, seminar, and educational event coordinator, Publisher, and Editor

  • 40+ years as a Business Manager and Administrator

  • Professional Image consultant specializing in Certified Professional Coach, Parent Coaching, Resume Development, Etiquette, Wedding, and Event Planning.

  • Program director

Resently Deb was honored with the Point of Lights Award, https://www.pointsoflight.org/awards/champion-of-compassion-and-community-service-lends-her-time-and-talent/

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Darrin A. Landry is world-renowned for his expertise in all aspects of ophthalmic imaging. Darrin has designed seminars, lectured, and published extensively in this field. 

  • 35+ years of ophthalmic and healthcare experience

  • Lecturer, workshop instructor, and author

  • Authored three books and multiple papers/articles on ophthalmic imaging and ophthalmology

  • Has won multiple awards for publications and lectures, including the Don Wong Award for Most Excellent Presentation (twice), the Chris Barry Award for Best Journal Article, and the Hawaiian Eye Meeting Speaker of the Day Award

  • Ophthalmic and medical consultant, Implementing and training researched protocols in No. America, Europe, and So. America

  • Holds a post-graduate certificate in Christian Education. 

  • Program development and producer 

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Executive Board

 

Deb Landry, Executive Director-Co-Founder

Darrin A. Landry, Chairman of the Board, Co-Founder

Cheryl A. Gifford, Vice President

Drew T. Landry, Treasurer/Secretary

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Advisory Board

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Jasmine DeRier

Daryl Saucier

Camille N. Curtis

Christiana Roberts, RN, BSN

Margaret Bushy, MBA

Michele Libby

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MASP Advisory Board

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Cassidy Korasadowicz

Erika LeClair

Kalena Brady

Kelsey Sewell

Lori Soucy 

Mandy McQueen

Chelsie Smith

Mikele Block

Rachel Torrey

 

Programs

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Unite Against Bullying ME

Crown CARES

Girl CARE

Crossroads CARES

Voices in Harmony

Abbey's Tale Time

Skyla's Buddy Benches

Maine Academic Scholarship Program

Young America, Women of Service Program

Miss Sensational Program 

Domestic Violence Awareness Program

Safety Program

Maine COVID-19 Vaccine and Social Service Program

Fundraisers

 

Maine Academic Scholarship Pageant

Green Carpet Event

Green Baby Contest

Young American Women Competitions

American Women Competitions

Crown CARES and Unite Walk Run Roll

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Goals continued: 

 

The goals of Crossroads is to provide a healthy and nurturing environment to support the physical, social and mental growth and development of children, youth and their families.  Crossroads teaches tolerance through volunteering, character education and positive social behaviors. We believe when we come together as a unified group, we create a better world preparing every child for a lifetime of resiliency, volunteerism and leadership.

 

Crossroads defines these competencies of healthy, positive, resilient and community-minded youth development goals and programs that focus on the following: 

 

  • Social awareness, understanding and acceptance of all people

  • Social awareness education

  • Physical and psychological health program that provides education on healthy choices, eating, and mental health.

  • Inclusivity  

·       Encouraging service-learning  and discovery

·       Community projects and social action

·       Philanthropy

·       Youth-led research and development

·       Engage youth as life-long volunteers

  • Mentoring programs for youths, teens and young adults. 

  • Supervised community service projects.

  • Programs available to enhance and encourage positive self-esteem, social awareness, and confidence of our youth 4 to 26 with mentoring programs for all ages.

  • Provide a safe and healthy environment for youth.

  • Promote and aid in the awareness and prevention of peer pressure, bullying, hate violence, harassment, substance abuse, mental, physical and social health, crime, and other social issues.

  • Advocate for youth, and families to provide a community able to understand how to live a healthy lifestyle.

  • Supporting adults to raise resilient children. 

  • A program that is free of charge and holds a 501 c3 non-profit status

  • Programs and events that focus on our core values, such as: social and self-awareness, honesty, fairness, compassion, respect, kindness, inclusion, encouragement, gratitude, accountability, friendship, giving, and courage for all. 

  • Support youth with social education, college scholarship, civic engagement, and volunteerism. 

 

Objectives and Desired Outcomes

 

Crossroads achieve our goals by:

 

  • Continually identify our community's risk factors and needs using guidelines of the Search Institutes 40 developmental assets. 

  • Working with local and surrounding  organizations, school departments, and youth programs in our community.

  • Develop comprehensive prevention programs to prevent delinquency and supports personal growth.  

  • Providing alternative and enriching learning activities and day camps based on the arts, reading times, and organized fundraisers that are educational and researched based. 

  • Developing and collaborative partnerships with families, schools, nonprofit agencies, and community members

  • Developing and providing area resources through a mentoring program.

  • Crossroads financially supports its programs with fundraisers, donations, and grants. 

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Crossroads task is to teach tolerance through volunteering, character education and positive social behaviors. Crossroads' believes when we come together as a unified group we can create an even better world. Crossroads makes it easy for you to get involved—whether at home, school or work—by offering resources to help you create positive social change in your own community and around the US, Canada and all of North and South America. Find out how Crossroads makes extending a helping hand, doable and rewarding. 

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All of Crossroads Programs, use researched based social awareness, bullying prevention education, and character education in their events, school visits, and annual walks.

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​HOW YOU CAN HELP

Volunteer! and Understand the meaning of social responsibility and the need for positive social character. Bullying is intentional, repetitive and shows an imbalance of power. Character Education and speaking up are the best ways to prevent bad behavior or stop bullying. You can help by spreading the word. The bullying ends with you and me!  



SCHOOL  AND COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS

Crossroads offers free presentations to schools and community events across the US. Contact us to see if you qualify for a visit from a volunteer. Topics include kindness, respect, bullying prevention and other character education issues. 

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