Stories
Jayden’s Story
Jayden is a spirited child with big brown curls and eyes brimming with curiosity.
He began coming to the Nursery when he was four years old, and like many children, leaving his mom was difficult, but Jayden faced a unique challenge – transitioning to somewhere new was especially tough for him. He didn’t have a lot of consistency in his life, so going to a new place filled him with a deep sense of helplessness.
Jayden’s feelings showed up in intense emotions. Heavy tears, angry cries, kicking and screaming were ways for him to express the chaos and fear he was feeling inside.
Teachers at the Nursery understood how important it was to help Jayden navigate his emotions so he could feel comfortable in new situations. They helped him build trust and empowered him with a sense of control.
Slowly, Jayden began to understand that teachers were there to support him, that they could be trusted. His demeanor began to shift.
One day in the art room, a remarkable change unfolded. Instead of the usual tears and tantrums, Jayden was calm and composed. He eagerly helped the teacher pass out art supplies, assisting younger kids with their projects, and even lending a hand in clean up. It was a pivotal moment that marked a turning point in Jayden’s journey.
Jayden embraced his newfound role as the teacher’s helper with enthusiasm and pride. When it was time for him to start Kindergarten, he wasn’t the little boy who came to the Nursery screaming and crying, struggling to cope with his emotions. Instead, he stood tall as the teacher’s helper, ready to take on his next opportunity to lead and grow.
Jayden’s story demonstrates the power of patience, understanding, and the unwavering belief that every child has the potential to overcome challenges. At the Nursery, children find a safe and loving space to be seen, heard, and supported on their own unique journey. Thank you for giving Jayden a place to practice resiliency and trust, so he could grow into the child who is ready to try new things, like going to kindergarten.
The WHY
Over 3,500 children and families experiencing crisis turn to Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery every year. They are facing housing instability, financial stress, domestic violence, exhaustion, and other difficult situations. Nearly all are single-parenting moms and over 60% of families have an annual income of $10,000 or less.
Your support connects these families to critical resources to help stabilize their family and move them out of crisis. It takes $1,300 to care for a child for 3 days. They are provided with homemade meals, winter clothing, enriching play and new friendships, a warm cozy bed at tuck-in time, and highly qualified staff to care for them around the clock.
Nursery services are free to families because of caring individuals like you. 80% of the Nursery’s nearly $5 million budget comes from contributions from generous people like you.
Today, YOU can be the difference between crisis and stability for a child and their family.
Callie’s Story
Callie has courage, that’s for sure.
She has spent the last six years raising four sweet children, but it’s been a turbulent road.
This past year a loving relationship turned abusive. When Callie realized it wasn’t going to get better, she knew she needed to get herself and her kids out of danger.
Their home was no longer safe. Without anywhere to go, Callie made the impossible choice to move her children out of their apartment.
Four children, all under the age of six, spent their summer nights sleeping in the back seat of their car. Callie hung blankets over the windows for privacy and hardly slept as she spent all night worrying about her children. A few nights when the humidity was unbearable, they spent the night in a 24-hour laundromat.
For weeks, they lived in uncertainty, bouncing between shelters and the car, trying to find somewhere safe. One night as she watched her children sleeping in the backseat, she wondered if she would ever be able to get her family back on solid ground. They were so far from the path she had hoped for, the path she had planned for her children. All she wanted was a safe place for them to call home.
With no family in the state, Callie called the Nursery hoping for some sort of help. The love and support she received was more than she expected. Her children began staying at the Nursery, a warm and welcoming place, and it became the closest thing they had to a home. With a roof over their heads, they received the support and love they desperately needed to help stabilize them during such a traumatic time.
Her babies had a safe and reliable place to spend their days and nights. This gave Callie the chance to start rebuilding. She spent her time securing healthcare, applying for housing, and seeking support for her children to cope with the violence and trauma they had experienced.
With the Nursery by her side, offering guidance and encouragement and advocating on her behalf when needed, Callie’s hard work paid off. She found a modest home that would become their own little haven, a place where she and her children could finally feel safe and secure.
Callie’s eldest child exclaimed, “Mommy got us a house, so now I can go to school!”
Nursery team member Angelina commented “You never forget something like that – every day those words remind me of the power we can have in uplifting families together.”
All four children are enrolled in early education programs and Callie’s oldest just started kindergarten. Callie never lost her sense of humor or her eagerness to keep her kids’ spirits high. She leads her family with joy and their love for each other is unmistakable.
Callie’s family is blossoming.
She hopes they won’t remember the sleepless nights, fear, or uncertainty, but Callie won’t ever forget the compassion, or the realization that once connected to the Nursery, there were so many people in her corner, fighting for her family to succeed.
The WHY
Over 3,500 children and families experiencing crisis turn to Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery every year. They are facing housing instability, financial stress, domestic violence, exhaustion, and other difficult situations. Nearly all are single-parenting moms and over 60% of families have an annual income of $10,000 or less.
Your support connects these families to critical resources to help stabilize their family and move them out of crisis. It takes $1,300 to care for a child for 3 days. They are provided with homemade meals, winter clothing, enriching play and new friendships, a warm cozy bed at tuck-in time, and highly qualified staff to care for them around the clock.
Nursery services are free to families because of caring individuals like you. 80% of the Nursery’s nearly $5 million budget comes from contributions from generous people like you.
Today, YOU can be the difference between crisis and stability for a child and their family.