Rocking
babies, singing songs, playing games and reading aloud are
just a few of the activities listed on the job description
of volunteers at the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery,
a safe haven that protects children by providing temporary,
24-hour shelter for them when their families are experiencing
an emergency or crisis. The Nursery depends heavily on the
work of volunteers to assist the professional, trained staff
in taking care of the children, ages birth to 12 years. |
Volunteers
work at one of the five Crisis Nursery locations
(at Forest Park Hospital, two near SSM St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles, on the campus of St. Joseph Health Center-Wentzville, and another next to Christian Hospital in North County), by assisting the professional, trained
staff in taking care of the children.
Since
the Crisis Nurseries operate 24 hours a day, seven days
a week, volunteers are needed around the clock, and schedules
can be easily accommodated.
WHAT VOLUNTEERS DO:
-
Provide emotional support for children by rocking, holding, talking. etc.
-
Care for the physical needs of the children by feeding, bathing, dressing, etc.
- Help children in activities including art projects, story telling, singing, reading aloud, playing, taking walks, bathing, eating, etc.
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Volunteers who enjoy the Nursery must have an understanding of and respect for children, with a non-judgmental attitude towards the children and their parents. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old, in good mental and physical health, and must pass a criminal records check. "It's hard to imagine how loving those children are," explained one volunteer. "Working at the Nursery had been a wonderful experience and I think I get much more out of it than the children do!"
Those interested in volunteering at Crisis Nursery South,Call Sara Nelson at 314-768-3898 or sara@crisisnurserykids.org
Those interested in volunteering at Crisis Nursery North, call Taressa Hockaday at 314-953-8030, taressa@crisisnurserykids.org
Those interested in volunteering at St. Charles or Wentzville call Mary Pat Smith at 636-940-0748 or 636-887-3072 marypat@crisisnurserykids.org
Those interested in volunteering at the Administrative Offices call Miriam Stevens at
314-292-5770 miriam@crisisnurserykids.org
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