Crossroads for Youth, on Drahner Rd. in Oxford, is celebrating its 50th year of serving troubled children and families from across southeast Michigan.
Originally founded as Camp Oakland in 1951 and incorporated in 1953 by Judge Arthur Moore and Walter Gehrke, the purpose of Crossroads is to provide support, education and a chance in life to troubled young people through a positive, strictly supervised environment.
“I remember when it first began, it was myself, two boys and about 30 cows,” laughed Bill Matus, executive director from 1951 to 1982. “I was the only staff member and we eventually sold the cows.”
Judge Eugene A. Moore, the son of the Honorable Arthur Moore and a current board member, remembers when his father helped to purchase the land.
“I was in junior high school when my dad began looking at the property,” said Judge Moore. “I would ride out with him almost every weekend and look at that land.”
Camp Oakland began as a summer camp that expanded to a year-round boys center and eventually a separate girls center. As the year’s went by numerous programs were added including the Life Preparation Center, Achievement Center, Learning Center/Day Student Program, Supervised Independent Living Program, Aftercare, Adventure Therapy Program and Adventure Center. The focus shifted from providing just a summer session to providing year-round residential, day and after-treatment care.
In June of 1999, Camp Oakland officially became Crossroads for Youth. According to Karen Tuohy, a representative with Crossroads, the change occurred because the term “Camp” suggested a simple summer program, which the campus was not. Also, more youths than those just in Oakland County benefit from the services available.
“It’s a much larger program than even when I left,” said Matus. “The children when I was there – we raised them. It was a family. You saw the same kids every day. They weren’t there six or seven weeks, but you can’t run the program that way anymore.”
“I was afraid it wouldn’t be the personal relationships of the past with the changes,” Matus added. “I see a lot of kids coming in every day by bus and I saw that the personal relationship is still there. Those teachers know every child and what that child needs to succeed.”
“I couldn’t be more excited about what they’re doing there.”
Today, Crossroads for Youth has over 100 full time employees. More than half with bachelor’s or master’s degrees and the rest with two or more years of college. The executive director has a doctorate and all therapists hold master’s degrees. The ratio of staff to youth is one adult for every two to four students.
So what does make Crossroads for Youth tick? Anyone on the campus will answer right away the volunteers.
“Volunteers are an important part of the operation at Crossroads for Youth and we value all that they do to serve our children,” said Tuohy.
Crossroads has individual volunteers who work either one-on-one or in groups with the students, groups who respond during special events, and organizations such as The Friends Committee which helps fund-raise and plan events such as the Diversity Dinner and fishing contest. The campus is also the Oxford site for Meals on Wheels.
“Each weekday our kids and staff package meals for senior citizens and those meals are delivered by community volunteers,” explained Tuohy.
Several community programs also come on campus to assist the youths. Pet a Pet visits regularly, several church organizations provide Sunday services and numerous area charities provide services to make the holiday seasons special.
“The community has helped to make all this happen,” said Matus. “Without the Oxford Community, this never would have taken off.”
And Crossroads tries to return the favor. The students visit nursing homes, package meals for shut-in seniors, clean parks and roadsides, and shovel snow during the winter. The have washed fire trucks, assisted during the Oxford Christmas Parade and moved brush along hiking trails. Crossroads programs have benefitted Bear Lake Camp and the Canine Rescue, and one resident even painted a mural in downtown Oxford for a business.
“Kids learn the value of helping others while they are with us and often continue after they leave,” stated Tuohy.
Crossroads for Youth (Camp Oakland) has seen many changes over the years; however, a solid education is something that’s never varied. In conjunction with Oxford Area Community Schools, Crossroads has continually provided a strong academic education. Until about 14 years ago, students left campus to attend Oxford Schools. Today, the youth can attend school on campus, in Oxford, Lake Orion, Lapeer or Walled Lake.
Crossroads students consistently show improvement in reading and math of two to three grade levels while in attendance, and more than half earn honor roll grades. Students are able to combine this with vocational training in areas like landscaping, maintenance, auto mechanics and home improvement.
“I believe the biggest change has been in the increase in difficulty levels for the youth today,” said Judge Moore. “The seriousness of the offenses for the children today is much higher. I believe the type of child we’re seeing is the same, just the seriousness of their offenses is worse, and that requires modification in assistance.”
In 2002, Crossroads for Youth brought in 95 percent of its revenue through program per diems and 5 percent through donations and fundraising. Of that, 74 percent went to the residential and day programs. The rest went to indirect program expenses and special events.
“I would like to see Crossroads continue to meet the needs of the youngsters,” said Judge Moore. “I want to have it continue to modify and change as the need requires.”
“When they see a new problem or need, I’m proud to say that Crossroads rises to meet it and assist a child.”