As we approach the close of 2024, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve shared this year and to express my deepest gratitude for your continued commitment to our mission. 

This has been a year of both challenge and triumph, as we have faced many obstacles but have also achieved so much together. From launching new initiatives that directly benefit our community to strengthening our collaborations with like-minded organizations, it is your unwavering support that has made these successes possible. Whether you have contributed your time, resources, or expertise, each one of you has played an integral role in our progress. We warmly invite you to explore our annual report, which highlights the significant impact we have made this year. If you are so inclined, we also welcome your support towards our annual appeal, as community contributions are crucial to our mission. We are looking forward (with HOPE) to what the new year will bring!   

This viewsletter comes to you during a rich holiday season. There are at least 16 holidays in December celebrated around the world, including informally celebrated culturally based holidays (who knew?!) like:  

• National Chocolate Covered Anything Day (December 16) – USA (informal) 
• National Ugly Sweater Day (Third Friday in December) – USA (informal) 

The other 14 celebrations are culturally based, formally celebrated across the globe, and are mostly based on a faith practice or denomination. Regardless of the holiday, HOPE is a primary pillar or tenant of the celebration. For all of us at Crossroads Community, Inc. and Corsica River Mental Health Services, Inc. services, celebrating HOPE happens all year long!  

Hope is a practice and a discipline. It is our HOPE that each and every one of you has a HOPEFUL Season, whatever holidays you do or do not celebrate!  

Hope Abound! 

Holly Ireland 

The Supported Employment Program (SEP) is an evidence-based practice that provides vocational assessment and education to prepare individuals for employment. Program staff assist clients with job search and interviews as well as onsite job coaching and other support. SEP clients also receive counseling in managing their earnings and government benefits, as well as assistance with reporting wages to Social Security.

What is Evidence-Based Practice Supported Employment?

Supported Employment (SE) is an approach to vocational rehabilitation for people with serious mental illnesses that emphasizes helping them obtain competitive work and providing the necessary support to ensure their success in the workplace.

Services are individualized and provided to assist eligible individuals to choose, obtain, maintain, or advance within competitive employment, in a community-integrated work environment consistent with their interests, preferences, and skills. Evidence-Based Practice programs must follow the model, which is monitored by the Behavioral Health Administration. The parameters state that the program must support the integration of employment and mental health services, provide benefits planning, start the job search rapidly, and provide follow-along support on the job. Our program is reviewed by Fidelity every two years to maintain our status.

Program Eligibility 

As an Evidence-Based Practice provider, the program has a zero-exclusion polic - the most important piece is that the individual expresses a desire to work! Eligibility al requirements include:

• The client must be in the public mental health system and diagnosed with a persistent, chronic mental illness.
• They must be an individual for whom competitive employment has not occurred, has been interrupted, or has been intermittent.
• They must be an individual who needs vocational services to enable finding, obtaining, and maintaining employment.
• The individual must agree to participate in services 2 to 3 times a month
• The client does not need to be referred by a therapist, they may be referred by other program staff or by self-referral.

Visit our website to find out more about our programs or submit a referral here.

January 29, 2025: Community Resource Day

February 14, 2025: Crossroads 40th Anniversary Gala

Packing House: 411 Dorchester Avenue, Cambridge

May 4, 2025: CCI & CRMHS Annual 5K Fundraiser

Between July 1990 and October 1993, a series of significant events occurred for CCI - from the submission of the Queen Anne's Bond Grant and settling on a residence at Happy Lady Lane to the establishment and subsequent relocation of the Kent Program. Notably, Level II services were introduced and residences were opened at Foxley Manor and Route 213.

By December 1991, a Three Year Demonstration Project Proposal was submitted, leading to its initiation in May 1992. Further milestones included the submission of the Kent Bond Grant Proposal, the opening of additional residences, and the relocation of administrative offices. The closure of the Second Chance Shoppe also took place in 1992, while in 1993, bond grants were secured, funding was acquired, and ground was broken for the construction of a new Kent Building. 

Stay tuned monthly to continue our journey down Memory Lane in celebration of CCI's 40 years!

Crossroads Community and Corsica River have officially merged on social media. Don't forget to like, follow, and subscribe to all of our social media platforms to stay up-to-date with our latest news and developments. Keep a close eye out for exciting updates from our team!

Explore our Linktree for convenient access to all our social media channels, or by scanning the QR code https://linktr.ee/cci_crmhs.