The vision of A-CROSS started in 1992 as a grass roots organization. God laid it on the hearts of a group of Ennis citizens to create a place to shelter families in crisis. People that were facing homelessness. But they didn’t want to create another homeless shelter. They wanted more than that. It was to be a place for hardworking people that have hit a bump in the road and need a hand to get back on their feet.
This group started meeting to brainstorm and a generous man, Daniel Russel, donated land in Ennis to A-CROSS and this is what really started the ball rolling. Soon, two homes were being used but with all of the maintenance problems, they had to be sold in order to build the first set of 4 apartments, in 2005. In 2020, the second set of 4 apartments were completed, giving us a total of 8 fully functioning apartments.
Along the journey, the Lord provided at every turn. There were countless God moments when an expense would be due and a check for that specific amount would arrive. Over the past 30 years, God has used A-CROSS to provide for hundreds of families in crisis in a very tangible way. People have been shown love, care and hope and lives have truly been transformed. A-CROSS is not just another shelter. It is a purposeful place for people to reset and breathe from the weight of the world as they launch in to independence again. Better than when they arrived.
It’s not just about their current moment or situation, it’s about their future and their children’s future. We mentor our clients on wise financial choices, healthy relationship decisions, work habits, what it looks like to live out your faith. The goal is that they will embrace these life lessons and impart them to their children.
A-CROSS Ennis is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization in Ellis County, Texas.
