About Us

Mission Statement:  Crossroads Urban Center is a nonprofit, grassroots organization that assists and organizes Utahns with low incomes, those with disabilities, and people of color to meet basic survival needs and to address essential issues affecting quality of life. Established in 1966, Crossroads is a multi-faith, community based project that is in a covenant relationship with the United Women in Faith national office.  

Crossroads has broad support from many religious communities as well as businesses, individuals and foundations.  Among Crossroads' activities: running Utah's busiest emergency food pantry & a thrift store, supporting community organizing, connecting low-income people with other service agencies, and facilitating holiday food programs. Crossroads has also initiated and developed new community organizations to provide services not otherwise available in our community.  These include: Utahns Against Hunger (70's), Wasatch Community Gardens (80's), the Disabled Rights Action Center (1993), the Children's Literacy Project (1994), Justice,Economic Dignity, & Independence (J.E.D.I.) for Women (1995), two drug abuse rehab centers, and numerous neighborhood organizations. Crossroads was also instrumental in establishing the homeless shelters in Salt Lake and Utah's alternative payroll deduction giving program.

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United Women in Faith

Crossroads' downtown building, originally built as a private home in 1903, was purchased and dedicated by the Women's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the spring of 1905 for use as Davis Deaconess Home. The home was named for Mrs. Eliza Given Davis, the second president of the Society, and served as a residence for women serving local Methodist parishes and surrounding local neighborhoods. The original site for the work of the Society was Davis Hall, which was built at 41 East 300 South in 1883 and officially organized as the Davis Deaconess Home in 1896.

Davis Esther Hall was established here in 1937 after the Deaconess Home was closed the previous year.  Esther Hall was a home for young women working or attending school in Salt Lake City, and part of a network of boarding homes operated by the Methodist Women. Davis Esther Hall closed in 1965.
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On February 8, 1966, Crossroads Urban Center was officially organized and housed at this facility. The building is owned by the United Women in Faith. It is maintained  by the Board of Directors of Crossroads Urban Center.