Full Circle: Former Arrow Crossroads Client Snags Master’s Degree

Chelsea Townes is a former client of Arrow’s Crossroads program. After an amazing milestone, she is now on the road to becoming a champion for others. Townes recently earned her master’s in social work.

Townes’ story is not short of difficulties or hurdles, but her strength and unshakable purpose brings her journey full circle.

Tammy Vickers is a Procurement Coordinator with Arrow, located in our Maryland offices, she previously served as a Program Manager while Townes was a resident at Crossroads.

Vickers recalls Townes’ time with Crossroads, specifically a summer camp in Texas—Townes’ first-ever trip out of the state of Maryland— and the joy it brought her. Early 2025, Vickers heard from Townes for the first time in more than a decade.

 “In January, I received a call from Chelsea, and she asked if I remembered her from Crossroads — I did— even though her time with Arrow ended nearly 15 years ago,” Vickers said. “We began to talk when she admitted she had no one to watch her walk across the stage to graduate, she asked me if I’d consider attending to support her, it was an easy yes.”

When Townes aged out of the system, the road ahead wasn’t easy, she was homeless.

She later went through the Job Corp program, a decision taking her to Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania where she attended college.

“It wasn’t easy supporting herself while going to college, she’s shared stories of homelessness and barely scraping by, but she has a dream and is determined to achieve it,” Vickers said.

Townes earned her bachelor’s degree while working full time. She later decided to continue her education at Marywood College, recently graduating with a master’s degree in social work.

“Despite the difficulties that have taken shape in her life, Townes hopes to open a group home for girls, similar to Crossroads, for girls like her,” Vickers said.

According to Vickers, just a week after graduating, Townes got the life-changing news: she’d been hired as a therapist in her own community, a moment of relief and triumph after months of uncertainty.