Crossroads Mission’s “First Step Center of Excellence” celebrates 15 years

13 On Your Side's Vanessa Gongora spoke with a former participant about his experience in the program

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Crossroads Mission is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its "First Step Center of Excellence" on July 1.

The "First Step Center" is a detox facility that enables people to stabilize from drugs or alcohol by offering a safe environment where individuals receive the care they need to begin their recovery journey.

The facility has 11 beds allocated for men and five beds for women.

Fabian Herrera, a former participant of "First Step" and now works for Crossroads Mission as a house manager said this program saved his life.

"I came straight out of jail so it was a good way to take my mind off of the world out there and it just helped me focus more on myself during those ten days of detox," said Herrera.

After the 10 days, participants have the opportunity to enter the 120-day residential program, "New Life."

Myra Garlit, CEO of Crossroads Mission said they can also refer individuals to somewhere else in the community or they can go home, go back to work, and try it again.

"It's really miracles that we see here almost every day. We see families restored, people who can give back to the community. They get jobs, they pay taxes," explained Garlit.

The center has helped over 7,600 people.

"A lot of them just want to sleep. So many of them are so skinny and so malnutritioned, dehydrated and we want to get them healthy again," said Garlit.

To ensure the safety and well-being of participants, the center offers stabilization monitored by Emergency Medical Technicians under the supervision of a Nurse Practitioner.

The participants cannot leave the center but there are patios where they can get sunshine and activities to keep them busy.

Herrera said being in the programs at Crossroads was eye-opening.

"I was focused on what everyone else was doing and I was blaming others and not looking into myself where I was the problem," said Herrera.

He said working at Crossroads Mission allows him to return the favor.

"I was able to reconnect with my family. I'm winning their trust back little by little," mentioned Herrera. "I have another baby on the way now, so everything's great."

Crossroads will be celebrating the 15th anniversary of "First Step" on Friday with their staff, participants, and the homeless with cake and ice cream.

"We want to make the community a better place to live and help people to get off their drugs and alcohol and to help the homeless and that's what the Mission is all about," said Garlit. "We do that through donations through from the city and the county, and in fact we couldn't do it without those donations and we really appreciate that."

Garlit encourages people who need help to reach out. She said the first step to recovery is making that phone call.

"We are helping people get back to a point in their life that they can be engaged citizens again. Going to the block parties downtown. We try to teach them about the things that are available to do in Yuma," continued Garlit.

Garlit said most of the time there is a waitlist for "First Step" and the sooner you call, the better.

You can reach out to Crossroads Mission's 24-hour "First Step Center" by calling 928-328-8082 or visit their website.