May is Mental Health Awareness Month – Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, our mental health is more fragile than ever. It is important for us to be looking out for higher levels of anxiety and depression in ourselves and our loved ones. Below are some of the resources available in our community to assist us in dealing with mental health issues for adults and youth. 

CDC Mental Health Resources – The CDC offers resources and believes mental health is an important part of overall health and well-being.

Loudoun County Mental Health Resources - The Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services (MHSADS) provides services to individuals in the Loudoun community with mental health, substance use or developmental/intellectual disabilities.

Ryan Bartel Foundation - The Ryan Bartel Foundation offers free, widely available programs designed to increase connectedness and teach coping skills to teens, key protective factors to suicide prevention.

We need your help! It will take a number of people to make this happen so if you are willing to help out, please email Kim Gresko and let her know!

Watch our announcement here! More info to come!!

Crossroads is assisting the Round Hill United Methodist Church stock their food pantry. The Round Hill Food Pantry has been serving their Round Hill/Western Loudoun neighbors for 10 years. As many as 31 families (over 100 individuals) visit the Pantry each month.

Items being collected are changed periodically. Currently, we are collecting adult and children’s toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo and corn flour. You may drop your donations in the bin outside Crossroads Entrance 1 any time. For ease there is an Amazon Wish List provided here. Purchase online and have the items delivered directly to Crossroads. More information can be found here.

As United Methodists, we “hold governments responsible for the protection of the rights of the people to free and fair elections” believing that “the form and the leaders of all governments should be determined by exercise of the right to vote guaranteed to all adult citizens.” (2016 Book of Discipline,¶164A)

Read more here.

Read more here.

Native plants can be purchased online at Watermark Nursery in Hamilton, Virginia. You can also contact Crossroads' Native Plant Specialist, BJ Lecrone. 

Plant NOVA Natives is an excellent resource for gardeners of all skill levels. You are encouraged to check out their website for upcoming online programs. Their monthly newsletter can be found here. 

The newsletter features an article on planting container gardens called Planting in Pots for Easy Butterfly Viewing.

Ask the Experts - We continue our series of interactive video conferences in which you can ask landscape designers for advice on improving your native plantings. Submit your questions and photos ahead of time if you can. Register on our website.

Recordings of previous “Ask the Expert” events can be viewed on this YouTube playlist.

In Virginia, anyone age 16 and older is eligible to receive a vaccine. I encourage you and every eligible person in your household to get vaccinated. If you have health concerns regarding the vaccine, please discuss them with your doctor and make the safest decision for you and your family. A link to schedule your vaccine is here.

Clergy Vaccine Confidence

Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Francis Collins and other leaders from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services join Washington National Cathedral as we vaccinate DC-area clergy. Click here.

As we have said many times before, taking care of our neighbor is the most important thing we can do as Christians. Right now, one of the easiest ways we can do that is by wearing a mask where still required. It is simple. According to the CDC wearing a mask and social distancing are our best defenses against contracting and spreading Covid-19.

To me wearing a mask says, “I see you, you are important to me and we are in this together”.  

You will receive a FREE box of food that should feed a family of 4 for a week. We have 30 boxes to hand out so please come and get one. Please contact Kathy MacKrell if you would like to reserve a box.

Loudoun County Public Schools Meal Service

Please visit the interactive map to identify the location to get meals.

Loudoun County, Virginia, is urging residents to take advantage of programs set up to help with the economic impact of the coronavirus.

Through their Information & Referral Helpline, Loudoun Cares connects residents in need with local nonprofits and agencies that can assist with a variety of health and human services that include rent/utility assistance, food, clothing, medical/dental, housing, job services and more. If you are in need of assistance, call the helpline at 703-669-4636 or click here for their website.

Crossroads Jobs is a non profit experienced in advising candidates who have challenges in securing employment. Counseling is available in English and Spanish. They will also assist those who need help filing for unemployment. All services are free. Click here for their website.