Policies

Crossroads Mission Avenue is committed to respecting the privacy of our donors. We have developed this privacy policy to ensure our donors that donor information will not be shared with any third party.

Awareness. Crossroads Mission Avenue provides this Donor Privacy Policy to make you aware of our privacy policy, and to inform you of the way your information is used. We also provide you with the opportunity to remove your name from our mailing list, if you desire to do so.

Information Collected. Here are the types of donor information that we collect and maintain:

• Contact information: name, organization/church, complete address, phone number, email address;
• Payment information: credit card number and expiration date, and billing information;
• Information concerning how you heard about Crossroads Mission Avenue;
• Information you wish to share: questions, comments, suggestions; and
• Your request to receive periodic updates; e.g., to individuals who request it, we will send periodic mailings related to specific fund-raising appeals, prayer concerns, and newsletters.

How Information is Used. Crossroads Mission Avenue uses your information to understand your needs and provide you with better service. Specifically, we use your information to help you complete a transaction, communicate back to you, and update you on ministry happenings. Credit card numbers are used only for donation or payment processing and are not retained for other purposes. We use the comments you offer to provide you with information requested, and we take seriously each recommendation as to how we might improve communication.

No Sharing of Personal Information. Crossroads Mission Avenue will not sell, rent, or lease your personal information to other organizations. We assure you that the identity of all our donors will be kept confidential. Use of donor information will be limited to the internal purposes of Crossroads Mission Avenue and only to further the ministry activities and purposes of Crossroads Mission Avenue.

Text Messaging Consent. By providing your mobile phone number and opting into SMS messaging, you consent to receive autodialed marketing text messages (e.g., important updates and impact notifications) from Crossroads Mission at the mobile number you provided. Consent is not a condition of any transaction. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of receiving text messages at any time by replying STOP to any message you receive from us. For help, reply HELP, email us at info@crossroadsmission.com, or call us at (402) 462-6460. SMS opt-in information will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Removing Your Name From Our Mailing List. It is our desire to not send unwanted mail to our donors. Please contact us if you wish to be removed from our mailing list.

Contacting Us. If you have comments or questions about our donor privacy policy, please send us an email at info@crossroadsmission.com or call us at (402)-462-6460.

A conflict of interest is defined as a situation in which an employee engages in a relationship or activity that might, in actuality or in appearance, impair or compromise his or her ability to make objective decisions and/or execute their daily tasks in an appropriate manner on behalf of the ministry.  This policy applies to members of the Board of Directors, all members of management, all staff, and all volunteers.

Those employees in positions of management must set the example for other staff members and are required to be extremely cognizant of their actions, comments, and relationships.

Crossroads Mission Avenue expects all employees to be committed to a life of integrity and to work toward protecting the integrity and reputation of the ministry.  As such, you are expected to avoid any relationship or activity that might (actual or give an appearance to) impair, or compromise the ability to make objective decisions on behalf of the ministry.

Employees should never have a personal financial interest in a ministry transaction or use Crossroads Mission Avenue resources, property, or information for personal gain.

Crossroads Mission Avenue reserves the right to determine when an employee’s activities represent a conflict with the ministry’s best interest and to take whatever action is necessary to resolve the situation – including terminating one’s employment.

It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Director to ensure that all trustees, officers, agents, employees and independent contractors of Crossroads Mission Avenue are made aware of the corporation’s policy with respect to the conflicts or duality of interest.

One of the two provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that applies to nonprofit organizations is the legal protection of whistle-blowers.  The Act makes it illegal for a corporate entity to punish whistle-blowers who risk their careers by reporting suspected illegal activities in an organization.  No form of punishment, including firing, demotion, suspension, harassment, failure to consider the employee for promotion, or any other kind of discrimination, is allowed.

To receive whistle-blower protection, an employee does not have to demonstrate misconduct.  A reasonable belief or suspicion that violation of an applicable law or regulation exists is sufficient.

Crossroads Mission Avenue is committed to the highest possible standards of ethical, moral, and legal conduct.  Consistent with this commitment, we will aim to provide an avenue for employees to raise concerns about suspected illegal conduct and fraud and to provide reassurance that they will be protected from reprisals or victimization for whistle-blowing in good faith.

It is the responsibility of every employee to report concerns relating to suspected misconduct, dishonesty or fraud.  Employees are encouraged to share their concerns within the workplace setting.  Crossroads Mission Avenue’s open door policy permits employees to go to higher levels of management to report unethical or illegal activities.  If an employee fears retaliation or does not believe the workplace to be a safe environment to express such concerns, concerns shall be set forth in writing and sent in a confidential sealed envelope to:

President, Board of Directors             702 W 14^th St            Hastings, NE  68901

Anonymous Allegations                

Employees are encouraged to put their names to allegations because appropriate follow-up questions and investigation may not be possible unless the source of the information is identified.  Concerns expressed anonymously will be investigated, but consideration will be given to:  the seriousness of the issue raised; the credibility of the concern; and the likelihood of confirming the allegation from reliable sources.

Acting in Good Faith

Anyone filing a complaint must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates misconduct, dishonesty, or fraud.  Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

1. Purpose

Crossroads Center dba Crossroads Mission Avenue (“Crossroads,” or “the ministry”) is committed to the highest standards of integrity, honesty, and Christ-centered service in all of its activities. This Code of Conduct Policy establishes the standards of behavior expected of everyone who represents Crossroads, so that the ministry may maintain the trust of the guests it serves, its donors, its partners, and the communities of Hastings, Kearney, Grand Island, and Lexington.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all members of the Board of Directors, management, staff (full-time, part-time, and seasonal), interns, and volunteers of Crossroads Mission Avenue. Independent contractors and vendors performing work on behalf of the ministry are expected to act consistently with the spirit of this policy while on Crossroads property or representing the ministry.

3. Our Commitment

Crossroads Mission Avenue exists to share the love of Christ by meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of individuals and families facing homelessness, poverty, and addiction. Everyone acting on behalf of Crossroads is expected to reflect this mission through their conduct, treating every guest, coworker, donor, and visitor with dignity, compassion, and respect.

4. Standards of Conduct

Integrity and Honesty. Employees, board members, and volunteers must act honestly in all ministry dealings, including record-keeping, reporting, use of funds, and communication with guests, donors, and government partners.

Professionalism and Respect. All interactions with guests, coworkers, donors, and the public should be professional, courteous, and free of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Compliance with Law and Policy. Everyone covered by this policy must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as Crossroads’ internal policies, including funder requirements tied to HUD and other grant programs.

Sound Stewardship. Ministry funds, donations, and property must be used only for their intended charitable purpose and administered responsibly and transparently.

5. Treatment of Guests and Program Participants

Because Crossroads serves individuals who are often in vulnerable circumstances, staff and volunteers must maintain appropriate professional boundaries with guests and program participants at all times. This includes:

• Never using a position of authority or trust to exploit, intimidate, or take financial, physical, or emotional advantage of a guest.
• Refraining from romantic or sexual relationships with current program participants.
• Not soliciting or accepting personal loans, gifts, or favors from guests.
• Reporting immediately any suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a guest to a supervisor or the Executive Director.

Guests must never be denied services on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other protected status, consistent with Crossroads’ funding and civil rights obligations.

6. Conflicts of Interest

All individuals covered by this policy must avoid relationships or activities that impair, or appear to impair, their ability to make objective decisions on behalf of the ministry. No one may have a personal financial interest in a ministry transaction or use Crossroads’ resources, property, or information for personal gain. This Code of Conduct works alongside, and does not replace, Crossroads’ full Conflict of Interest Policy, which all Board members, management, staff, and volunteers are expected to review and follow.

7. Confidentiality

Guest records, case management information, donor information, and internal ministry business are confidential. This information may be shared only as necessary to provide services, as required by law or funder requirements (including HMIS and HUD reporting obligations), or with proper authorization. Confidentiality obligations continue even after employment or service with Crossroads ends.

8. Use of Ministry Property and Resources

Ministry vehicles, equipment, facilities, donated goods, and funds are to be used only for authorized Crossroads business. Misuse, theft, or unauthorized personal use of ministry property is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination and referral to law enforcement.

9. Prohibited Conduct

The following conduct is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or removal from service:

• Harassment, discrimination, bullying, or retaliation of any kind.
• Fraud, theft, or misappropriation of ministry funds or property.
• Falsification of records, reports, timesheets, or donor or guest information.
• Possession or use of alcohol or illegal drugs while on duty or on ministry property.
• Physical, verbal, or emotional abuse of a guest, coworker, or volunteer.
• Any activity that would bring Crossroads’ mission or reputation into disrepute.

10. Reporting Violations

Anyone who becomes aware of a suspected violation of this Code of Conduct is expected to report it promptly to a supervisor, the Executive Director, or the President of the Board of Directors. Reports may also be made in writing and sent confidentially to the President of the Board of Directors at 702 W 14th St, Hastings, NE 68901. Crossroads prohibits retaliation against anyone who reports a concern in good faith, consistent with the ministry’s Whistle Blower Policy. Reports may be made anonymously, though anonymous reports may be more difficult to investigate fully.

11. Enforcement and Disciplinary Action

The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring that all trustees, officers, staff, and volunteers are made aware of this Code of Conduct. Suspected violations will be investigated promptly and fairly. Crossroads reserves the right to take any action it deems appropriate in response to a violation, including verbal or written warnings, additional training, suspension, termination of employment or volunteer service, removal from the Board of Directors, and referral to law enforcement where appropriate.