About
We Are a Family Business in the Business of Helping Families
Founded by Janet and Rory Ryan, Crossroads Family Services is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping children and families grow to be healthy and strong. Our mission is deeply personal – Rory had lived through profound family disruption when he was orphaned at age 12. He understood at a deep personal level the crucial importance of family, stability, and community in a young person’s life. Janet’s heart was completely aligned with Rory’s passion, and she contributed her expertise as an established educator and child psychologist committed to the healing of young people and families.
Our History and Growth
We have cared for thousands of young people and their families through our foster care programs, treatment programs, and disability care programs.
- 1997: Crossroads Family Services began as a foster care agency, an offshoot of Kells Psychology (our sister agency specializing in psychology).
- 2001: The Retreat Intensive Treatment Program was added to Crossroads to support young people who couldn’t manage in a family placement and needed the extra support of staff to build their resiliency and return to family living.
- 2014: Kinnections Community Wellness began serving families and children with diverse needs as a partnership program between Crossroads Family Services and Family Solutions Group. This program was designed to support both families and young people get the assistance and breaks they needed to stay well.
- 2019: Kinnect House opened. This semi-residential program works with both the young people and with their caregivers, to rebuild connection and skills to maximize their behavioural and emotional health.
About Our Services
1. Foster Care: We support foster families in Central Alberta open their homes to children who aren’t able to live with their families of origin. Our foster caregivers provide both general and treatment levels of care. If you’re considering fostering, please join one of our free foster care information sessions.
2. Kinnections Community Wellness: In partnership with Family Solutions Group, we provide support for families in the greater Edmonton area caring for family members with high needs through:
- Community Care (hourly and overnight respite care)
- Family Development
- Behaviour Development Services
- Kinnect House
- Intensive Host Homes
Our Approach
We recognize that family life can be challenging. By offering the right supports, at the right times, we work with families to create strong environments where young people thrive.
Our commitment is to the whole team – caregivers, families and young people. This holistic approach to family health and wellness is at the heart of all that we do.
Our Mission
At Crossroads, we believe that every child and youth deserves a safe, loving home and every family deserves the support they need to thrive. Our mission is to create better lives by strengthening families, supporting caregivers, and nurturing young people as they grow through the difficult seasons of their lives.
Our Partnerships
Crossroads is a member of the Family Solutions Group, a collective of agencies committed to Making Wellness Possible. This partnership allows us to provide clinically informed, responsive, tailored services to meet the unique needs of those who we support.
Learn more about our journey by watching “Crossroads’ Origin Story – A Tribute to Rory Ryan” below.