A Volunteer's View of the Crisis Nursery

My name is Jean Lee, and I've been privileged to volunteer at the Centene and the St. Charles Nursery locations for almost a year. Five years ago, I retired from my career as a School Counselor in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area. My husband Jim and I have seven adult children and four grandchildren. A couple of years ago, Jim and I moved to St. Louis; we've been enjoying the St. Louis area and all the wonderful things happening here. 

I knew adjusting to our St. Louis move would include finding meaningful ways to connect and be involved in our community. After doing some research on the Crisis Nursery's website, I was impressed with its comprehensive mission and prevention emphasis. Not only was Crisis Nursery reaching out to parents with education and support, but they were providing families with basic real-time needs, including diapers, food, clothing, and a secure/safe place for children to stay when needed. Never in my school counseling career had I experienced anything in the community that offered families the kinds of services that Crisis Nursery provides. I thought, "This place has got to be too good to be true. How does a place like this exist?"  

The idea of a supportive and easily accessible safe haven in our community for kids and parents experiencing family stress was every school counselor's dream for our students!   Too often, as a counselor, I had found myself trying to help kiddos and parents deal with their chronic home crises that had already risen to the level of trauma due to a lack of available support. This left ME feeling discouraged about being able to help create necessary change in their lives at home, and THEM feeling anxious, fearful, and hopeless that any change or stability would come.

After researching the Crisis Nursery website, I came home excited. I shared with Jim what I envisioned might be the perfect way to give back to the community while returning to what I loved: serving and supporting kids. Jim shared my enthusiasm and wondered how we could help the Nursery together. We contacted Diane Mueller, the Crisis Nursery CEO, and she graciously made time to meet with us. We had a wonderful conversation in her office, where I came away even more excited about the mission of the Nursery and all of the volunteer opportunities there.  

From the moment we stepped into the Crisis Nursery - Centene, we fell in love with the kids and the giving hearts of the staff. Since then, I have been a volunteer! I get to have fun with the kids, whether doing activities together, playing on the playground, reading stories, talking about the day, or my favorite- FEEDING AND ROCKING BABIES.

While both Jim and I enjoy what we do to support the Nursery, we know that the true heroes who make the most impact are the staff. Since the first day we set foot in the nurseries, the staff's genuine dedication, love, and hard work have been evident.

I continue to be impressed with the child-centered approach in which the staff interacts with the kids. It can be easy to interact with kids based on what we as adults need; instead, I notice how the staff are always aware of listening to what the kids are saying, offering choices, and adapting to whatever a child's needs are.

From playtime to dinnertime to bedtime, kids know that they are valued, loved, and can feel safe. I often see and hear staff positively praising a child's behavior and children bonding with staff, not wanting to let go, and telling staff how much THEY are loved. I can't think of a better gift that we as a village can give to our community's children!!!! The kids bring me to the Nursery, and the staff helps me see the benefits provided to our families.   

The safe haven provided for families under any stress and the follow-up care make Crisis Nursery so unique, building strong families and reducing and preventing the cycle of child abuse and neglect. We are SO fortunate to have them here in the St. Louis area, and I am so privileged to be a part.