by Kelly Gorrell
Crittenton Centers provides care, shelter and a safe, educational environment for children and families in need. Read more to learn about the services provided to the children and families.
Children in the crisis center
Crittenton Centers: Providing Help and Care for the Peoria Community
Peoria County sits alongside 14 other counties, rounding out the state’s warning list for highest poverty rates in 2013, according to the Illinois Poverty Report. These figures shed light on the all too grim reality of the large number of families who continue to struggle, while finding it difficult to afford homes, childcare, food, or basic necessities. As a result, children are being raised in families dealing with low incomes, unemployment, domestic abuse, homelessness, and more. For cases like this, Crittenton Centers located in East Peoria provides shelter, care and hope for these children in need.
Crittenton Crisis Centers is not just a glorified babysitter; trained professionals are equipped to take care of children, who range in age from birth to 6 years old. Qualified workers take pride in caring for these children, watching over them and assisting them throughout their daily routines.
Crittenton Centers has been in existence since 1892, and has been located in East Peoria since 2004.
Volunteer & Special Events Coordinator, Jennifer Simmons explains, “At that time Peoria had about 300 brothels, it was quite the city of sin. We were designed to help women. Charles Crittenton appeared on the scene in about 1903, and wanted to help take what was the home of the blessing to the next stage. He felt like women really needed a place to go, and they didn’t have one. Crittenton stopped here, and to this day we still carry his name.”
Today the crisis center provides a safe haven where children in need can develop valuable learning skills, alongside of being nurtured and encouraged. The center relies on trained professionals, and the use of volunteers to supervise the young ones. Volunteers come between 8a.m. and 8p.m. Their responsibilities include
feeding children, rocking them, reading to them, participating with them in circle time activities, and providing much needed attention.
The 24-hour crisis center takes in children of all backgrounds; mothers in need of a break, parents that need to go to work and cannot find reliable daycare, struggling families, families suffering from domestic violence, homelessness, lack of heat and other disparaging reasons.
Crittenton Centers brings hope to those in less than ideal situations. Children can be given a break from their rough home life and can come to the center and enjoy just being a child.
A crisis center worker, Griselda states, “Sometimes the stories that come in are sad, but you gotta’ give them the positive in here. We can’t control out there, but we sure can make their day in here. Part of my job is to remind our little people to be kids. Let me be the adult, let me take care of you.”
The enthusiasm and love the staff exhibits towards these children is extremely admirable. Children come to the center and receive support and attention that they may be lacking at home. The dedicated care and affection the staff provides for the children lays down the foundation for what have proven to be a much needed environment sought by many. From updated playrooms, newly renovated playground sets, freshly painted Dr. Seuss themed bedrooms, to a rubber ducky bathroom, the children cared for in the crisis center are in the best of hands. It is comforting to those in need to know that despite dire straits, the potential to have a respite from their predicament is within reach at the Crittenton Centers.
Griselda spoke from the heart when saying, “No matter what, it’s our job to make their day. If they say they had a good day, then you did your job. It’s all about them, their needs, they’re number one.”
For more information on the Crittenton Centers of Peoria, click here.
Crittenton Centers, more than a nursery.
The Crittenton Centers provides an upbeat, colorful learning center for children 0-6. Daily activities include, “circle time” which allow the children to gather around a colorful rug, counting, singing, reading, learning colors, days of the week and so on. Click this link to get an inside view of the Crittenton Crisis Centers.