Every day at CROSS Missions we work to remember the boundaries, barriers and stereotypes that divide and sow fear and hatred among us. Lately, the Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has created a new kind of fear and worry. However, even in such conditions, the best of humanity breaks through and so does creativity and compassion.

As of March 24, 2020, we are moving forward with our summer program as planned and we will continue to update registered group leaders with any changes as we do our best to navigate through this unprecedented time. To ensure that our summer program remains impactful to our participants and ministry partners we have added these extra precautions:

The facilities where CROSS participants reside during their week of service have been and will continue to be thoroughly cleaned each and every day. These routine cleanings include the sanitization of all countertop surfaces and a deep clean of all restrooms and showers. We are also providing groups with additional resources to sanitize sleeping areas, including added hand sanitizer stations, disinfecting products to clean provided mattresses and to wipe down all surfaces. Participants may also bring their own air mattresses. We will continue to increase or add other measures as recommended by health officials. This is not only to ensure our participants’ wellbeing; but also to prevent the unnecessary spread of germs to our ministry partners, who have the vital job of caring for Charlotte’s most vulnerable residents. 

The most important part of our program is our wonderful team of 30+ ministry partners and local nonprofits. CROSS staff has remained in contact with our partners in order to figure out the best way to support them and plan for the summer. Our partner organizations are also following all the protocols the CDC and local officials are prescribing. However, things are changing rapidly, even hour to hour. Currently, some of our partners are decreasing services or reducing volunteers in order to serve their clients safely. We strive to provide meaningful service to our partners and we have heard from many organizations that they are eager to resume accepting volunteers to help them regain a sense of normalcy when it is safe to do so.    

CROSS staff are also in touch with other similar youth mission organizations, sharing ideas and best practices. Between now and the beginning of our summer season, CROSS Missions will continue to practice Christ’s call to come and see, love our neighbors and bind up the broken hearted. While taking all precautions against the COVID-19 virus, we will remain faithful to serving the most vulnerable among us by donating food and supplies when we are able. We hope you will join us.

Together in faith,

CROSS Missions