April 4, 2012 Vol. 91 No. 14
Crisis Nursery is committed to preventing child abuse and neglect.
Child Abuse Prevention Month
IN this Issue
Difficult economic times can lead to increased child abuse and neglect, even child deaths, according to DiAnne Mueller, CEO of Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, which encourages people to be conscious of the challenges that families face and to take action during April, Child Abuse Prevention Month. “Child Abuse Prevention Month reminds the public that everyone needs to be committed to the safety of the children in our communities,” Mueller said. “We understand that parenting is a challenge even in the best of times. Our mission is to save babies’ lives, keep kids safe and build strong families, and every year we see a greater need for our services, as families cope with difficult times.” During 2011, the Crisis Nursery provided: • Safe haven for 7,275 children at risk of abuse • A 24-Hour Helpline serving 6,231 families experiencing a crisis • 2,410 Community Outreach Visits with families • 35,230 hours volunteered at the five Crisis Nursery locations and two outreach centers Crisis Nursery outcomes: • 99% of children cared for at the Crisis Nursery were not abused; • 99% of children whose families participate in Crisis Nursery services remain in their natural family homes. Children are brought to the Nursery on a voluntary basis, and all services are provided free of charge. Parents may bring their child(ren) to the Nursery for several reasons. Common reasons include: overwhelming parental stress, domestic violence, lack of utilities, food or water, or and illness or death in the family. While there, children birth through age 12 receive 24-hour individualized care by trained, professional staff and volunteers. They also receive a medical examination, any needed medication, a developmental assessment, therapeutic activities, and three well balanced Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
meals/three snacks each day. Children also receive take-home supplies, including: clothing, toys, hygiene items, diapers and formula (when appropriate), stuffed animals, games and books. The family empowerment program assists parents in creating a stable environment for their children and addresses any concerns or needs identified while their children were at the Nursery. The Family Empowerment Program has several components: follow-up support services, community outreach visits, parent education groups, stay-at-home parent programs, a family emergency fund, transportation fund, Holiday Hearts Campaign and a Back-to-School drive. The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, celebrating its 25th year, is committed to preventing child abuse and neglect by offering real help and real hope to families in crisis. The Crisis Nursery is an independent, not-for-profit agency providing short-term, safe havens for more than 7,200 children a year, birth through age 12, whose families are faced with an emergency or crisis. The Crisis Nursery provides care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at five sites, serving famiLearn & Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Pet Apdoption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Movie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. • O’Fallon, MO 63366
lies throughout the greater St. Louis, St. Charles, Southern Illinois and surrounding regions. Over the past 25 years, the Crisis Nursery has cared for more than 68,000 children, and provided support and counseling to more than 84,500
families. For details, call 314.292.5770 or visit www.crisisnurserykids.org. For the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery 24-hour helpline, call 314.768.3201 or 314.338.2200. In St. Charles County, call 636.947.0600.
Movie Talk
See Movie page 9
“Mirror Mirror” - Photo courtesy of Relativity Media
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Joe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Shelly Schneider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
P: 636-379-1775 • FX: 636-379-1632
Recipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 What’s Happening . . . . . . . . . 12-13 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15
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