A Mid-Shore Community Newsletter from Crossroads Community, Inc. (CCI) and Corsica River Mental Health Services (CRMHS) | |
Organizational Headlines
A Message Executive Director Holly Ireland
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Dear Mid-Shore Community Members, Friends, and Family, | |
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Happy New Year and welcome to 2025! Many of us set new goals or make what is commonly known as New Year’s resolutions. Statistically speaking, most New Year’s resolutions are abandoned by the second Friday in January.
Rather than new set goals at the start of the calendar year, now is an excellent time to revisit our Fiscal Year 2025 – 2028 Integrated Strategic Plan. The three-year strategic plan was finalized and approved by both CCI & CRMHS Boards of Directors in February 2024.
As we come to the end of the first 12 months of working under this plan, we are also closing in on the final celebrations of CCI's 40-year anniversary of providing services in the mid-shore counties of Caroline, Kent, Dorchester, and Talbot.
We cordially invite you to celebrate this special milestone with us at CCI's 40th Anniversary Gala on February 14th at the Packing House in Cambridge. As we enjoy live entertainment, a three-course dinner, dancing, and cheer, we will also be sharing our reflections on 40 years of incredible service and revealing something big for our future.
So please come share the love from the Heart of the Chesapeake and celebrate with us on Valentine's Day 2025. Register here and see you there!
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In The Heart of the Chesapeake:
CCI's 40th Anniversary Gala
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Crossroads Community, Inc. will host our 40th Anniversary Gala fundraiser on February 14, 2025, at The Packing House in Cambridge, Maryland. Guests will enjoy an elegant chef-prepared, three-course dinner, live entertainment, and an unforgettable evening celebrating our nonprofit's 40-year history of supporting behavioral health in the mid-shore community.
Space is limited for this special event, and seats are filling up quickly. Click here to reserve your spot before they're gone. Read the press release for additional details.
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January 29th: Community Resource Day
February 14th: 40th Anniversary Gala
May 4th: CCI & CRMHS Annual 5K Fundraiser
October 2025: 6th Annual Mental Health Art Show
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2024 was year of notable growth and impact for CCI and CRMHS. We made significant strides in expanding our mental health and substance use services, allowing us to reach and provide support for even more individuals in need. In March of 2025, CCI will officially celebrate 40 years of service, a monumental milestone that reflects our unwavering commitment to serving the mid-shore community and to all people seeking hope and recovery. View the Annual Report. | |
2024 Client Holiday & Awards Celebration | |
On Friday, December 13th, CCI and CRMHS hosted our annual Client Holiday & Awards Celebration at Centreville Methodist Church, with nearly 140 individuals in attendance. The event commenced with an introduction of staff, the Board of Directors, and local law enforcement agencies. Also in attendance was State Delegate Steven Arentz, who presented CCI and CRMHS with a Citation for our commitment to the community and those we serve. A moment of silence was held to remember those we lost this year. | |
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Worthmore Equestrian Center was presented with the 2024 Partner of Recovery & Employer of the Year award for their partnership and provision of a healthy and productive worksite for one of our Kent clients - learn more about Worthmore in the Leaders of Change section below.
Former Executive Director John Plaskon was in attendance to present the 2nd Annual John F. Plaskon Special Recognition Award to key partner Jimmy Reynolds of the Choptank Tolomato Legacy Project for his commitment to bringing the arts to our clients.
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Following these two key awards, the reception honored several exceptional staff members who were nominated by peers, supervisors, and colleagues for their outstanding ability to inspire and motivate others, including Dee Dee Lewis, Colleen Voss, Jennifer Fenske, Jennifer Saulsbury, Mark Greenhalgh, Kat Cattell, and Marie Brewer. Sherita Miller was presented with the first-ever Inspirational Staff Award for her dedication to her clients and the organization's mission.
Eight individuals were presented with the Resiliency Awards for their ability to rebound and recover from adversity, illness, depression, and other difficult circumstances one can encounter in life. The event's final awards celebrated five clients who were recognized by staff and peers for being inspirational in their steps toward recovery. All of the clients and staff selected for these awards were presented with certificates and gift cards to celebrate their achievements.
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After the reception, guests enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Helen Todd Catering, which included turkey, ham, all the fixings, and tasty dessert choices. Board members served the food to clients and staff, a return to a tradition from years ago. The event closed out with the board presenting a cash gift to each client present and a session of caroling karaoke. We express our gratitude to all those who attended and supported this celebration, with special thanks to Kyle Willey for his media contributions! | |
Worthmore Equestrian Center | |
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Worthmore Equestrian Center in Worton, Maryland, is a full-service Horse Discovery Center facility that provides equine therapy programs to people with disabilities. Their philosophy centers on the building of bonds and relationships as the foundation of success. Worthmore encourages students to develop a relationship with the horses by getting to know each horse's unique personality and learning their preferences and behaviors. They believe that all interactions are learning opportunities, and each skill learned can be used both in the barn and out in their own lives.
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Last year, CCI Employment Specialist Marie Brewer approached the Worthmore owner and operator Pam Kuster about the possibility of working with CCI's Supported Employment Program. This discussion was prompted by a client who had a dream of working with animals. Pam immediately invited this individual out to tour the farm, and subsequently hired this individual. Since then, Pam has been incredibly supportive in training this client for the job. She has shown compassion and understanding of this client's ability limitations and is in constant communication with his employment specialist, and willing to address any issue that may come up. Pam even raised the idea of partnering with CCI to facilitate a Mental Health First Training for her staff to better assist them in their awareness and ability to work effectively with people who have mental illness. | |
We are very appreciative of Worthmore Equestrian Center and Pam Kuster for being a standout employer for our client. For all these reasons and more, we are honored to recognize Worthmore Equestrian Center And Pam Kuster as a Leader of Change! Click here to visit their website. | |
Meet the Team: CCI & CRMHS Medical Team | |
Corsica River Mental Health Services and Crossroad Community, Inc. has a dedicated medical team that offers caring, evidence-based treatment for individuals in need of behavioral health care. Altogether, the medical team has more than 90 years of combined professional healthcare experience. In addition to providing comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and coordination of other healthcare services, the team works closely with program staff organization-wide to offer clients a holistic and integrated approach to care. | |
Medical team from left to right: Kaitlyn Cardwell, RN, Mobile Treatment Team Nurse; Dawn Wilson, LPN, Clinic Nurse; Dottie Stokes, RN, Health Home Nurse; Laurence Pezor, MD, Medical Director; Sara Hayden, DNP, CRNP-PMH; Holly Ireland, LCSW-C, Executive Director. Not pictured: Brandy Cumberland, CRNP, and Tyler Corkum, CRNP. | |
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Program Eligibility
As an Evidence-Based Practice provider, the program has a zero-exclusion policy. Submit a referral here or visit our website to find out more about our programs.
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Now Hiring: Join Our Team! | |
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Therapist (All Locations)
Admin Assistant - Cambridge
Substance Use Counselor (All Locations)
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Quality & Compliance Coordinator
Residential Coach (QAC & Kent)
RRP Client Support Specialist (QAC & Kent)
PRP Manager
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Crossroads Community Memory Lane | |
In celebration of CCI's 40th year of service to the mid-shore, join our ongoing special segment, "Crossroads Community Memory Lane!" | |
In the pivotal year of 1994, CCI reaches several significant milestones. On May 18th, 1994, CCI hosted a ribbon-cutting and open house to celebrate the new Kent Building in Chestertown. This event marked a transformative moment for CCI, signaling our commitment to expanding program spaces and community reach. | |
In January 1995, the residence at Chester Harbor II closed, and the doors to Kent Crossing Apartments I opened to enhance accommodations for CCI clients. The opening of another residence on Race Street in Cambridge later that month helped to further CCI's impact on the community. February 1995 saw further enhancements to residential offerings with the closure of the Flatland Road residence and the opening of Kent Crossing Apartment II, along with the launch of the West End, Cambridge residence. | |
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Stay tuned monthly to continue our journey down Memory Lane in celebration of CCI's 40 years of service to the mid-shore community! | | |
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CCI and CRMHS have merged on social media! Like, follow, and subscribe to stay up-to-date with our latest news and events. Visit our Linktree to find all our social media links: https://linktr.ee/cci_crmhs. | | |
Looking for a way to support us but don't have time to join a board in an official capacity? Join one of our several volunteer committees and help make a difference! | | |
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Public Relations & Fundraising Committee
The next Public Relations and Fundraising Committee meeting will take place on January 21, 2025 at 5 PM. Email Kyle Willey for details.
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Programs and Services Committee
This committee helps guide the development and evaluation of programs and services. Contact Kara Morris or Paula Turner for more information.
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Board Development Committee
This committee focuses on supporting the boards' structure and strategic alignment, offering suggestions for efficacy and development. Contact Holly Ireland for more information.
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Executive Finance Committee
This committee plays a vital role in the organization's fiscal management and strategic decision-making. Contact Holly Ireland for more information.
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| What percentage of individuals experiencing homelessness have a mental health disorder? | | | |
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Last Trivia: Which holiday has the highest average of binge drinking in the US?
Answer: Winter Holidays & New Year's Eve (Alcohol.org)
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Get for Substance Use
Corsica River Mental Health Services offers a wide range of support services for mental health and substance use disorders, including level 1 outpatient treatment, co-occurring disorder treatment, assessments, care coordination, mobile treatment, and referrals. Registration forms can be accessed easily from our website - click here for more information.
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Homelessness and Mental Health | |
According to the 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report recently released by HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development, the number of unhoused individuals in the U.S. surged 18% last year, with a record-breaking 771,480 people experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2024. | |
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The intersection of homelessness and behavioral health challenges is a complex and growing issue in our communities. Unhoused individuals are at a significantly higher risk of developing mental health disorders and substance use problems, while those with pre-existing behavioral health issues often face an increased likelihood of becoming homeless. This cycle can be difficult to break, as the stress and trauma of homelessness can worsen conditions, and untreated behavioral health issues can make it challenging to maintain stable housing.
Crossroads Community Inc. offers PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) services to help individuals navigate these challenges. PATH provides vital outreach, case management, and housing assistance to those struggling with both homelessness, substance use, and/or mental health. Learn more here.
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