Video: Crossroads Ranch Serves High Functioning Special Needs Adults

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FULTON, MISS. (WCBI) – It was a ribbon cutting more than eight years in the making.

The Skills Depot is the first phase of a unique community.

“Crossroads Ranch will be a place our high functioning special needs adults will be able to live , with independence and a purpose, with supervision, but not moment to moment supervision,” said Renae Bennett , who is the founder of Crossroads Ranch. She came up with the idea years ago when she was looking for a place for her son Marcus, who sustained a traumatic brain injury when he was a teenager. Marcus spent several years in an institution, and Renae went to work, building a community for adults with special needs.

Itawamba County leased the old airport property to Bennett, and this former records storage building now serves as the workshop, where Crossroads residents make pottery, picture frames and other works of art to support the ministry.

“It doesn’t even seem possible, everybody coming together, it’s , when you’re actually here and seeing it, it’s overwhelming,” said Tammy Tiner.

Tammy’s son Joshua is part of the Crossroads community. Both Joshua and Marcus say Crossroads Ranch is a place where they can not only belong, but also lead productive lives.

“I never did think I would have this kind of place, or anything, so it means a lot to me,” Marcus said.

“I think it’s lovely, I love this place, this is the best day of my life,” said Joshua.

The next phase for Crossroads Ranch will include a lodge and homes for residents.

Plans call for that lodge and ten cottages to be built on the land behind me. The whole project will cost about a million dollars and the folks here at Crossroads Ranch know it’s a tall order, but they believe anything is possible with a lot of faith and a lot of hard work.

Crossroads Ranch is a special project of the CREATE Foundation. For information on how to donate, or volunteer, go to www.createfoundation.com or call Crossroads Ranch at 662 585 3334.