Our Story
Duane met Jim and Ronda Rouches in 2006 while in a residential substance abuse treatment program in Sarasota, FL. They knew that they were brought together to change lives and realized how many people needed to be loved and accepted right where they were at in their struggles. That friendship became the knitting of hearts as a family, with a common vision that drives the mission set before them.
Duane and Lori Porter met in Sarasota in 2007. Marrying in 2009, they dreamed with the Rouches’ family about what the vision could become. Duane and Lori moved to Wauchula, FL (Duane’s home-town community) in 2014 and founded The Crossings Addiction Services, Inc. in 2017 (DBA: The Crossings Services) as a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization based in Wauchula to help those in their community and surrounding areas to rise above the challenges before them, transform their lives, and thrive in recovery.
In July of 2022, we were gifted a church in Hardee County and we established The Crossings Ministries, Inc. In October of 2022 we launched a church campus in Bradenton, Florida called New Beginnings, which currently meets at The Front. We opened our first residential property in Sarasota in October of 2022, and anticipate the opening of another property in Desoto County in August of 2023.
Our Approach
Our passion is to set people free from the bondage of addictions. Our staff are all Christ-followers who have had victory in many areas of addictions and are equipped with life strategies to help others lead successful lives free of drugs, alcohol, or any other form of addiction. We know that the first 30 - 90 days in recovery are about getting our heads clear, our hearts right, and to help them find their identity in Christ. Once that happens, true change can begin to happen. We believe that each client has different needs, and individual care plans need to be implemented and evaluated constantly. We are in the business of transforming lives, one client at a time
Meet the Team
Working together to make a difference in the lives of the communities we serve.
Lori Porter
CEO
Lori graduated from Sarasota High, and has lived in Hardee County since 2014. She loves the heartland region and the strong sense of community that this region thrives on. She had worked in the medical field since high school and spent 8 years working in a neurology office as a medical assistant and office manager. That position gave her an understanding of how the addictive mind functions and how it can be healed. She majored in business management in college before deciding to start a family. That knowledge has proved valuable as this corporation has grown from a dream and desire on paper to the reality of helping transform lives. She is certified as a Family Integrity Training Facilitator.
Duane Porter
Executive Director Heartland Region
Duane is a 4th generation Floridian, and has lived in Hardee County since kindergarten. He has victory over a 25 year alcohol and methamphetamine addiction, and has been sober since June of 2006. His passion is encouraging people to take back their life from the grips of addiction, and find their true gifts and talents that will allow them to live a successful sober life. His desire is to help restore a community that has been devastated by drugs and alcohol. Working in this field since 2009 has given him an understanding of how to make this facility model work for this community. He has led many recovery and life skills groups. Duane was ordained as a pastor in 2013, he has completed the Peer Recovery Support Specialist Training, and is a certified Family Integrity Training Facilitator.
Jim Rouches
Executive Director Manatee and Sarasota Region
Jim has victory over decades of addictions, and has been sober since 2004. He is well known in the recovery community for his innovative way of helping others break the bondage of addiction. He was previously the program director for a 122-bed residential treatment facility. He has held a seat on the Sarasota County Criminal Justice Commission since 2014 and has been appointed to the Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Planning Council. He is an ordained pastor. He teaches classes at the Salvation Army and at the recovery pod in the Sarasota County Jail.
Josh Porter
Program Director Heartland Region
Josh's heart to help those in addictions comes from watching multiple family members struggle with the disease. Josh is an ordained pastor with The Crossings Ministries. He has seen God do a mighty work in their lives, and strives to share those victories with others. Having worked in the corporate world for many years managing people, gives him insight into how to bring out the best in our clients. He was previously our Youth Outreach Director, and will still remain active in coaching teams for our youth sports.