Naomi, Kris, and Brenda were infamous for their laughter—once one of them started laughing, it was contagious and could last for several minutes.

“I hope that just everybody that’s ever walked through those doors, whether it’s on Valencia or in the new space, that ATC is this incredibly special place that is always with me. Doesn’t matter if it’s past, present, or future. I just always feel like I’m there.” -Kris, Former Outreach Counselor

Naomi started first as an Outreach Counselor, followed by Brenda and then Kris. They worked amazingly well together and with the other ATC staff during a really harmonious time for the organization. Even through the 2008 recession, during which ATC had to cut back hours and pay, everybody stayed on the team and continued to provide the same quality support that ATC was known for on the streets.

We invited Naomi, Kris, and Brenda to reunite and reminisce about their time at ATC. For each of them, working at ATC was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They described, in their own words, how special it was to work with clients with ATC’s unique approach and to have such a supportive and friendly team of coworkers.

Hear Kris and Brenda describe how their time at At The Crossroads has stayed with them.

Kris now lives in Hawaii with her family (and her baby, Desmond, who you can hear in the background!) and works as Behavioral Health Specialist at Hawaii State Department of Education. She sometimes forgets that she doesn’t still work at ATC. Not really, but she did say, “You know, I still talk about At The Crossroads as if I worked there? … I’m like, ‘Oh, like my job?’ And then I’m like, ‘My old job. I’m sorry.’” She wants everyone at ATC, clients and staff, to know that she still carries ATC with her and feels like she’s here with us.

Brenda is an Occupational Therapist with a practice in Southern California. She echoes Kris’s sentiments and says, “I don’t think I’d be half the OT that I am now if it wasn’t for all those interactions and all of that work that we did together, including not only having wonderful clients, but I think just working with such wonderful ladies like yourselves … It was just so magical. It was magical. It was a lovely time.” Leaving ATC was emotional for Brenda but she’s so grateful to take her experiences and her connection to ATC with her wherever she goes.

Listen as Naomi, Kris, and Brenda each describe their continued connection to At The Crossroads—and also laugh uncontrollably together!