Busy People Make Time for Our Toddlers

Ask anybody if she has a couple of hours to help out and you might get an answer like this: "I'm too busy right now. My workload seems endless. The kids need my attention. I don't even have time for myself."

Nicki Berry could say all of that – recently married, she works full time and is working on her master's degree at Northeastern University at night.

While earning her bachelor's degree at the University of Illinois, Nicki volunteered at the crisis nursery in Urbana. "I loved being with those kids and I was totally taken with the concept of a safe haven for children whose families were in crisis. When I told them that I was headed back to Chicago, one of the staff members told me about the Maryville Crisis Nursery."

Nicki connected with our crisis nursery when she returned to Chicago in 2007. She has been part of our volunteer group since and never fails to appear on Friday evenings. Her helping hands and presence, along with our other volunteers, make the mission of the Crisis Nursery a reality for the children for whom we care in time of crisis. It's interesting that the busiest people seem to have the most time to help others.

“We are very grateful for the energy and commitment that Nicki has shown to the children at the Nursery,” said Amy Kendal-Lynch, director. “She is a great example of the type of consistent, and loving support that helps keep the program running smoothly to help us provide a positive and nurturing environment for our little ones. Our volunteers are an integral part of our crisis nursery model of care. "

The Maryville

Crisis Nursery Newsletter

December 2011

Celebrating Our Fifth Year

Contact Information: www.maryvilleacademy.org Maryville Crisis Nursery: 4015 N. Oak Park Ave., Building B; Chicago, IL 60634

Administrative Phone Number: 773-205-3600 24-Hour Help Line: 773-205-3637

What is the Best Part about the Crisis Nursery

services?

The best is how secure and confident I feel leaving my kids here. In the toughest episodes of my life this Nursery has been the best with me and my kids.

They provided the services that I needed as far as diapers, apartment search, and job searching, and I know for a fact my children love attending the Nursery because they never want to come home and I know they're safe.

The best part about the nursery are the staff and the atmosphere of the space, I love the fact that it's very interactive space and all of the child’s needs are met.

The best part of the Crisis Nursery was the fact that I felt very secure leaving my children there. I did not feel judged or guilty by leaving them there, plus the staff was so nice and friendly.

They really try to help you and care about you and your children.

~Crisis Nursery Parent Outcome Survey Responses,

Quarter 1 of FY2012

Christmas

Holiday

Party

enjoyed by

our families

and

toddlers.

Thank You! We want to thank the St. Clement Brownie Scout Troop 20291 who coordinated a book drive. They toured the Crisis Nursery and dropped off several boxes of

books for the children, ages birth to three. We want to thank their

leader, Colleen Jones, for coordinating this activity and letting us share with them the Mission of the Crisis Nursery.

Brownies present to tour the Nursery below: Amelia Prange, Lucrezia Rondelli, Margaret

Meyers, Bryn Jones, Ella Spalla.

Page 2 Maryvi l le Cr is i s Nursery Newsletter December 2011

Baby Talk Classes for January—June 2012

January 18—Resources: Your Child’s School April 18—Read It Again! Children’s Literacy

February 15—Positive Parenting and Discipline Tips May 16—I Gotta GO!! Toilet Training 101

March 21—Look What I Can Do! Anticipatory Guidance June 20—Let’s Pretend: Your Child’s Imagination

Parents and children three years and under are welcome. Classes are held the third Wednesday of each month from 5—6:30p.m.

Stay for dinner! *RSVP 773-205-3637 no later than noon on day of class.

Class will close 15 minutes after scheduled start time. Please be prompt.

Boy Scout Chris Ojeda (green shirt, pictured left) drops off books, Pediasure, clothes and food,

along with other items to help him earn his Eagle Scout badge. We are thankful to the boys for

coming by to bring these much needed donations to help us take care of the children.

Page 3 Maryvi l le Cr is i s Nursery Newsletter December 2011

The Maryville Crisis Nursery, which opened in July 2006, provides short-term

emergency childcare for children, ages newborn to six, whose families are experiencing

a crisis, such as parental stress, work/school issues, domestic violence, medical

emergencies or family instability. Emergency childcare, parenting classes,

intervention, community referrals and support to families for their re-stabilization are

all provided by the Maryville Crisis Nursery – FREE of charge. Newsletter Editor: Christina Bowers

Crisis Nursery volunteer Margaret Kovacie with (L to R): Angel, Jaylin, Yumaria and at the top, Milosh. They

were invited by Mayor Stephen Bradley to visit the circus in

Rosemont this fall. They had so much fun!

Save the Date!

6th Annual Guardian Medallion Award Gala

Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 6 p.m. InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile

Honoree: His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, OMI

The Maryville Guardian Medallion Award

recognizes distinguished service to children

and support of the Maryville Mission.

Cocktails, dinner,

dancing, auction and

entertainment.

For more information on

tickets and sponsorship,

please call 847-294-1982.

Please consider the Crisis Nursery

for one of your end-of-the-year donations. The Crisis Nursery depends largely on donations and grants to support the children. This summer, Richard and Roxanne Pepper, of the Pepper Family Foundation, donated a $100,000 matching grant to the Crisis Nursery. Under the provisions of the gift, any new gift to Maryville or any gift beyond a prior amount will be matched in fiscal year 2012, which began July 1, 2011. Maryville wishes to thank the Pepper Family Foundation

for their generous support of the chil-dren of Maryville. To make a donation visit www.maryvilleacademy.org and click on the donate now tab or send a check payable to Maryville Academy to 1150 N. River Rd., Des Plaines, IL 60016. Please don’t forget to put Crisis Nursery in the comments field.

Mario Tricoci Supports Mothers of Domestic Violence

On October 26, Mario Tricoci on Harlem Avenue in Chicago provided a nice pampering experience for several women who have been victims of domestic violence. The women's children stayed at the Nursery while their mothers enjoyed haircuts, manicures and pedicures. In addition, employees had a clothes drive for the

Nursery and brought many bags of clothes and various items.