ABOUT CROSSROADS
Our Founders
In 2006, Joe Tarasuk founded CrossRoads Freedom Center, a non-profit ministry, with the goal of bringing recovery to men and women caught in the vicious cycle of addiction, hurt, and pain. His vision was born out of his own struggle with drug addiction and incarceration. Joe gave his life to Christ after being arrested for interstate drug trafficking in 1986. Despite receiving a 35 year sentence, by God’s grace, he was released in 18 months.
Joe’s journey didn’t end there however. It wasn’t until he learned to surrender all his guilt and shame to the Lord that he was finally free. From that point on, Joe began to passionately share his testimony of freedom in order to give hope to others. In 2013 he published his book "Against All Odds: A Miracle Journey of Recovery and Success" to share the full story of how God saved him from a life of drugs and chaos into a new life of restoration and peace.
After several years leading Celebrate Recovery groups at churches and in jails, Joe and his wife Maria were finally able to purchase 16 acres in Ijamsville, Maryland to start CrossRoads Freedom Center. The property, formerly a restaurant and inn, has been restored for a new purpose of providing men a safe place to build their recovery, gain work skills, and learn to live in community again. CrossRoads continues its restoration hoping to expand its capacity in order to serve more people in need.
Meet the Team
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Joe Tarasuk
Founder & Executive Director
After a life of drugs and drug-dealing, he found the Lord in the back of a police car. Surrendering his life, he answered a call to turn his past into tools to set men free. Today Joe heads up the ministry with his wife Maria, serving our community in the Lord making disciples of men. -
Maria Tarasuk
Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer
Maria oversees all office operations, administration, budgeting, and staff. In addition, Maria maintains the two gardens at CrossRoads, assists with meal preparation and oversees maintenance of the commercial kitchen. -
Mat Viana
Program & Intake Coordinator
Mat responds to the day-to-day needs of the men, inquiries of prospective clients, facilitates intake processes for new residents, and supports our social media operations. Mat also runs morning devotionals and bible studies daily. Mat has worked at CrossRoads since 2019 and has been instrumental in ensuring the smooth operations of the ministry. -
Casey Welty
Program Coordinator
Casey supports the individual, spiritual and emotional growth of the residents through mentoring and accountability. Casey also monitors daily expectations, activities and facilitates our weekly Celebrate Recovery: Step Study Class. In addition, Casey assists with grounds maintenance and repairs. Casey graduated from the CrossRoads 12-month program in December of 2019 and has been on staff ever since. -
Bill Mayer
Recovery Coach
Bill supports the individual, spiritual and emotional growth of the residents through mentoring and accountability. In addition, Bill runs one of the weekly recovery classes at CrossRoads and mentors both current and previous residents. Bill has been a team member since 2017. -
Justin Davis
Recovery Leader
Justin monitors all men’s house regulations, ensuring a safe and clean environment for all CrossRoads residents. In addition, Justin leads one of our weekly recovery classes. Justin graduated the 12-month program in July 2021. -
James Chatman
Recovery Coach
James supports the individual, spiritual and emotional growth of the residents through mentoring and accountability. In addition, James runs one of the weekly recovery classes at CrossRoads and mentors both current and previous residents. James has been a team member since 2021. -
Greg Ranneberger
Administrative Assistant to Operations Greg supports CrossRoads in many different ways from helping with drug testing to ordering needed supplies to handling deposits and program fees from the men. He also represents CrossRoads in a local Business Networking Group by making connections and building relationships to further our mission.
A Future of Freedom
Providing freedom from addiction and making disciples of Jesus: this is what we do everyday.
We’re constantly praying and dreaming about the future of CrossRoads. Check out our Investor Booklet to read in-depth about the improvements coming to CrossRoads, program overviews, and more. You’ll see where we have been, where God is taking us next, and how we guide men in their journeys of freedom from addiction while making disciples of Jesus.
