Maryville Crisis Nursery celebrates 20 years of hope for children and camilies
The Maryville Crisis Nursery will commemorate its 20th anniversary with a celebration on Saturday, July 25, honoring two decades of providing hope, safety and support to children and families in crisis.
What began as a vision to provide a safe haven for children during family emergencies has evolved into a comprehensive family support program that provides free, short-term emergency child care, parent support services and crisis intervention for families across the Chicago area.
The idea for the Crisis Nursery began when John Huff, now a member of the Maryville Crisis Nursery Advisory Council, introduced the crisis nursery model while serving as Maryville’s liaison with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. After attending a child abuse prevention conference, Huff believed the program aligned with Maryville’s longstanding commitment to serving vulnerable children and families.
Amy Kendal, one of the Crisis Nursery’s founders, immediately recognized the model’s potential. Convinced it was a natural extension of Maryville’s mission of protecting children and strengthening families, she spent the following year sharing the concept with colleagues and building support for what would become the Maryville Crisis Nursery.
When Sister Catherine M. Ryan, O.S.F., became executive director of Maryville Academy in 2004, she encouraged Kendal and co-founder Joanne Deuter to develop a comprehensive program plan. The team then visited established crisis nurseries in Minneapolis and throughout Illinois, learning from experienced providers while creating a model rooted in child development, family preservation and compassionate care.
The first child welcomed into the Maryville Crisis Nursery was a 2-year-old boy whose mother had gone into labor while the family was living in a shelter. His arrival marked the beginning of a program that has since evolved into a family support resource offering free, short-term emergency child care, a 24-hour crisis line, Parent Cafés, parent support services, community outreach and referrals to additional resources.
“For 20 years, the Maryville Crisis Nursery has been a place where families can turn during some of life’s most difficult moments,” said Alejandra Ortiz, program director of the Maryville Crisis Nursery. “Every day, we see the difference that compassionate support, a safe environment and a caring community can make in the lives of children and parents. This anniversary is a celebration of every family we’ve served and everyone who has helped make that work possible.”
The 20th anniversary celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at the Maryville Crisis Nursery, 6650 W. Irving Park Road in Chicago. The event will feature a brief program, lunch, family activities and recognition of the volunteers, donors, community partners and supporters whose generosity has helped sustain the program for two decades.
“The past 20 years have shown what is possible when a community comes together to support children and families,” Ortiz said. “We invite everyone who has been part of the Maryville Crisis Nursery’s journey to celebrate this milestone with us as we look ahead to continuing this mission of hope, compassion and care.”
To learn more about the event, contact the Maryville Crisis Nursery at [email protected] or 773-205-3637.
