About Our Founder:
In 2004 New Jersey native Patrina Wright Torres established Crossroad Woman and Family Services, Inc. a faith-based 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization to help abused, homeless and disadvantaged women and children EMBRACE a new beginning. While serving Hudson County community as a newspaper reporter and freelance copywriter for small businesses, nonprofit organizations, communities of faith and even church leadership she felt that there was more within her to do. She since that she was being called to "something" but didn't know what. While she enjoyed meeting and interviewing people from all walks of life and seeing their stories published in the newspaper she wanted to do more. Her articles have been featured in the Urban Times News and the Hudson Reporter. Additionally, after writing and publishing her first book she started speaking at women's conferences, retreats, K-12 schools, colleges, churches and non-profit organization events.
However over a period of time she felt that there had to be more than she "speaking". She felt a divine dis-contentment with just being a speaker. She had a heart-felt desire to help heal broken hearts and change lives.
After graduating from Saint Peter's University, Jersey City, NJ with an undergraduate degree in Public Policy she also attended New York Theological Seminary, New York. As a student she was invited to speak at a women's conference at the Dewitt Reformed Church, 280 Rivington Street, New York by her professor Rev. Dr. Carolyn Holloway who also served as the first African American Woman to become Senior Pastor of the Dewitt Reformed Church.
Not only was Patrina honored she was nervous. The night before her speaking engagement she had a prophetic DREAM that stays with her to this day and has since gone on to become the first African American woman to achieve accomplishments personal and professional life. In North Carolina she was the first African American woman to write for a local town paper.
Patrina Wright-Torres decided to seek out what it was she was supposed to be preparing for. She prayed and felt led to return back to school to become a Biblical Christian Counselor. After researching several schools she finally started her journey with the National Christian Counselors Association specializing in Temperament Therapy. Today, she is a ordained minister. certified temperament counselor, certified pastoral counselor, clinical Christian counselor, teacher and clinical instructor.
She utilizes the Internet, Television, Radio, Books and Speaking to spread a message of hope, help and healing to the hurting. A five-fold leader with prophetic insight and a clarion call she engages you with biblical principals and the wisdom to apply it to your life. She serves the community as a philanthropist, investor and business leader in the marketplace. She is purpose-driven about mentoring new ministers and new counselors as they answer their call to spiritual leadership.
While residing in North Carolina she continued to fulfill her calling and serve both the local church and community.
She served as a Chaplain and Workshop Facilitator for the Columbus County Teen Court Program and Chaplain for the Columbus County Regional Healthcare System; Column Writer for The News Reporter, Bible Teacher at Tabor City Correctional Facilities, Radio Host, WENC 1220 AM and TV Show Host and Producer of Restore, Recover, Rebuild.
In New York State she was appointed to served on the Ulster County Restorative Justice Community Empowerment Center Task Force and has partnered with local county government to provide psycho-social anger management treatment for at-risk, court-involved juveniles on probation. In 2018 Crossroad Women and Family Services, Inc. became an approved training provider in School Violence Prevention and Intervention with the New York Department of Education.
Her public and private service has been rewarding. She has been a recipient of leadership awards for her passion and commitment to service including the Saint Peter's College 2000 Public Policy Medal, Saint Peter's College 1999 Academic Excellence Award and the 21st Century Leadership Award from Christ Church, Montclair, New Jersey.
In 2001 she was honored to receive an award from the City of Jersey City Office of Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham for successfully coordinating a Community Health & Wellness Empowerment Event. Patrina Wright Torres is blessed with a life and supportive ministry partner. She is the wife of Pastor Reyes Torres, Jr. their blended family consist of adults and grand-children. She is a mother of three and grand-mother of four ages 2 to 12. She is a daughter of Bishop James D. Wright and Pastor Margaret A. Wright of Jersey City, New Jersey and on a mission to heal hearts, enrich minds and transform lives.