News

In an effort to shift public perception around homelessness and offer raw, unscripted moments of human connection, Crossroads Mission Avenue will host a 24-hour event called Conversations on a Bench on October 9-10, 2025, at the Hastings Mission on 702 W 14^th Street. The initiative is part of a nationwide campaign led by Citygate Network, a faith-based association of rescue missions and life-transformation ministries across North America.

For one full day, Daniel Buller, Executive Director of Crossroads Mission Avenue, will sit on a bench livestreaming one-on-one conversations with community members – ranging from local leaders and donors to former program participants and curious passersby. The bench becomes a platform for truth-telling, healing, and hope.

“Every person has a story, and every story matters,” said Buller. “This event invites people to see past stereotypes and engage with the reality of what it means to experience – and overcome – homelessness.”

The livestream will be accessible on YouTube, and the public is invited to watch, participate in person, or submit questions and prayer requests online. In addition to raising awareness, the event will also raise funds to support Crossroads Mission Avenue’s year-round programs focused on shelter, recovery, and long-term transformation.

The local effort is part of a coordinated movement, with more than 100 ministry CEOs participating in similar events across North America on October 9-10, 2025.

Livestream access: coming soon

Donation opportunity: www.crossroadsmission.com/ways-to-give/