ProJo: My Turn: Bill Hatfield: Building a healthier Rhode Island

Founded 125 years ago as the Traveler's Aid committee of the YWCA, Crossroads' mission has evolved through the years to meet the ever-changing needs of the community it serves. Today, the local nonprofit owns or manages more than 370 affordable apartments statewide to help fulfill its mission to help homeless or at-risk individuals and families secure stable homes.

Each year, as many as 4,000 Rhode Islanders experience homelessness. The vast majority of them are working people struggling to balance two or three minimum-wage jobs, transportation challenges and escalating housing costs. Hundreds are families. For too many, an unexpected job loss, illness or rent increase is all it takes for them to fall into homelessness.

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