Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery

With twelve years and over 1,000 hours of volunteering through the Cook For Kids program, there can be no doubt as to  Massey/Pontinen team’s commitment to the children at the Crisis Nursery. Affectionately known as “The Grillers” by staff as they like to serve freshly grilled entrees, staff comment that “The Massey Pontinen team always make the children laugh and giggle. They consistently demonstrate they are part of the Nursery family through their caring interaction with the children and staff.”

Cindy Massey tells us that their CFK team has consisted of various family members and friends throughout the years but they first formed their team after friends had referred them to the program and they shared experiences on a Wayzata School District team.  Along with the Pontinen family, they decided to form a new team and have been enthusiastically serving meals to the children at the Crisis Nursery ever since.

 Jayne enthusiastically joined the child care volunteer team 16 months ago.

Other volunteers comment that Jayne’s enthusiasm is contagious!

“Jayne is a ball of energy, she treats each child as if they were her own. She is caring to  everyone she meets, children and staff,” shares our staff.

Jayne tells us she was drawn to volunteer at the Crisis Nursery by her love of babies and by the positive experiences a friend and her family have had volunteering .  Jayne says, “When I leave the Crisis Nursery after my volunteer shift, I am always so happy I came. The children are so appreciative of the care they receive, so open to their experiences, their little smiles just fill my heart with joy.”

Ben has given nearly 500 hours of child care volunteering since he first started volunteering  at the Crisis Nursery in 2004, and is known as one our most dependable volunteers—rarely, if ever, missing a scheduled volunteer shift. Our staff shares about Ben, “Ben’s dedication to the children at the Crisis Nursery is amazing; he is so patient and kind. We know we can count on Ben.”

When growing up in a family of teachers, Ben as a teen spent time helping his mother at her preschool and worked summers at a family friend’s daycare center. Ben shares, “Although ultimately I choose a different career path, I have always enjoyed working with young people.When my employer started a volunteer initiative several years back, I decided to look for an opportunity to volunteer in a child care setting. I had heard of the Crisis Nursery through Minnesota Timberwolves radio broadcasts.

Our volunteers give their time, talent and energy 365 days a year (this year 366!) to help us serve families in crisis.  Crisis Nursery volunteers  include individuals and families, business and community groups, ages twelve through senior citizens—but all generously share the gift of themselves to help further our mission to end child abuse and neglect and create, strong healthy  families.

During Volunteer Appreciation Week we especially want to recognize all our volunteers for their compassionate dedication.