Following the example of Christ, we care for the most vulnerable of our community, loving others well while walking alongside all those in need."
The mission of Crosslines Community Outreach is to improve the quality of life in our region through compassionate service and outreach to our most vulnerable neighbors by doing together what can best be done together in the name of Jesus Christ.
What We Do
From emergency food assistance to safe shelter, foster care support to senior advocacy, we serve thousands of neighbors each year across Southwest Missouri. Every program is designed to meet people where they are and help them move from crisis to stability.
Mission & Vision
We exist to improve the quality of life in our region through compassionate service and outreach to our most vulnerable neighbors, bringing churches, organizations, and individuals together to do what can best be done together in the name of Jesus Christ. Through this shared effort, we strive to meet basic needs, inspire hope, and guide people from scarcity to lasting security.
Our Values
We strive to reflect Christ in all that we think, say, and do—motivated by love, serving with excellence, and fearlessly walking alongside all those in need.
Priorities
In the spirit of vision and mission, we commit to focus all our efforts towards achieving three objectives:
Poverty Response
Invest in efforts that best serve individuals experiencing various forms of poverty; meeting individuals where they are and providing for their most basic needs.
Poverty Prevention
Invest in efforts to prevent members of our community from perpetuating generational poverty.
Poverty Elimination
Invest in systems that create pathways out of poverty; walking alongside individuals and households committed to working toward freedom from poverty.
1940
Springfield Area Council of Churches founded as a Ministerial Alliance.
1965
Dorsey Levell hired as part-time Executive Director of SACC.
1969
SACC incorporates as 501(c)3. Crosslines Food Pantry opens in response to President Johnson’s War on Poverty.
1974
RSVP volunteer program launched. 475 volunteers served in the first year.
1977
Construction and repair programs started, eventually becoming Connections Handyman Services.
1978
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program launched to advocate for nursing home residents.
1980
Child Care Food Program established to support family childcare providers.
1983
Ozark Food Harvest established with $10,000 from SACC and Missouri Office on Aging.
1985
Community Alternative Sentencing Program (CASP) established to provide community service placement.
1986
Programs for seniors expand: Helping Elderly Live Productively, Homebound Shoppers, and Homeshare launched.
1991
SACC renamed Council of Churches of the Ozarks. Sigma House constructed in Branson.
1998
Dorsey Levell retires and establishes the CCO Foundation to support the organization’s mission.
2008
Families for Children launches foster support programs. Name changed to Ambassadors for Children.
2011
Safe to Sleep women’s emergency shelter founded by Ramona Baker, brought under CCO.
2020
Founder Dorsey Levell passes in January. Global pandemic changes programming. Jaimie Trussell hired as CEO.
2022
LevellUp campaign launched. Wish I May and Diaper Bank of the Ozarks join CCO.
2023
Operations consolidated at 3055 E. Division. Unified Strategic Plan adopted across all programs.
2024
Mission, Vision, Values, and Priorities formalized. CCO Foundation dissolved into CCO for unified impact.
2025
Organization renamed Crosslines Community Outreach, honoring our roots in faith and the belief that compassion and action meet at the cross.