A group of Chicago Cubs Wives visited the Maryville Center for Children in Chicago on Tuesday, June 21, to deliver a bounty of supplies, diapers and toys for local children and families.
Cubs Wives Brittany Arrieta, Brittany Wood and Vanessa Montero stopped by the Center with Jessica Delp, fiancé of Kris Bryant, and Irmarie Marquez, girlfriend of Javier Baez, on behalf of the Chicago Cubs’ organization. They presented gifts, toured the facility and visited with some of the children.
The women visited both programs housed at the site: the Children’s Healthcare Center, which offers transitional care for medically fragile children, and the Crisis Nursery, which provides free 24/7 emergency childcare for families in need.
During the visit, Brittany Arrieta gave a spirited reading of the Dr. Seuss book “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” to patients in the Children’s Healthcare Center. Afterwards, the women visited with several teenage boys who are recovering from gunshot wounds. The group also spent time outside on the playground with children from the Crisis Nursery.
“The Cubs players and coaches’ wives, many of them parents themselves, see the value Maryville provides children, parents and families by contributing an essential web of support in times of crisis,” said Connie Falcone, Chicago Cubs Director of Community Affairs. “The ladies look forward to their visit with Maryville children and staff each year.”
The Maryville Children’s Healthcare Center provides care for medically fragile and/or technology-dependent children, ages newborn through 21 years. Most children are admitted from a hospital NICU or PICU. This program focuses on patients who no longer require acute care, but who need significant medical attention related to wound therapy, PICC antibiotics, post-surgical care, NG, GJ tube feedings, and ventilator care.
The Maryville Crisis Nursery provides short-term care for children of families who are experiencing a severe disruptive crisis or a family emergency or to prevent that crisis from happening. Children newborn through six years of age receive round-the-clock childcare, up to 72 hours a stay. This safe and nurturing environment is designed to protect them from harmful experiences and the damaging effects of trauma.
Issues that bring families to the Maryville Crisis Nursery included unemployment, parental illness or hospitalization, poverty and homelessness. The nursery also offers crisis counseling and free monthly parenting education classes.
The Maryville Center for Children is located at 4015 N. Oak Park Avenue on the city’s Northwest Side. To learn more, please call 773-205-3600. To make a donation, please contact Julie Fischer, Director of Development and Communication at 847-294-1950 or fischerj@maryvilleacademy.org.
