Crisis Nursery - Urbana, IL

I chose to volunteer at the Crisis Nursery in Urbana, IL because I love to be around young children.  This experience definitely relates to The Disadvantaged Family class because that is the majority of who I interact with while I am there as a volunteer to give care to children who are at the nursery because of any kind of crisis their family may be facing.  Another class that I associate being related to this volunteering experience is the Family in Crisis.

Volunteering at the Crisis Nursery had helped me in networking be meeting new people.  I have learned many staff members names and asked them a few questions about the positions, experience and their educational background that is needed for their positions.  I also asked on the day that I went for my training how their shifts work and what kind of schedule they had since they are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The person that I have been in contact the most is the Volunteer Coordinator with whom I went through my training.  I feel that my positive interactions and attitude who the staff that I am a hard worker.  From this experience, I have gained contact with people who could potentially help me to find a job in the near future by being references.

The Crisis Nursery provides many services and provides care for children from birth to six years old.  All of the services that they offer are free to everyone.  I have been volunteering in the Safe Children program, but the Crisis Nursery also offers a Strong Families program that is available to anyone.  The services that this program includes are crisis counseling, home visits, parent - child interaction groups, support groups, and referrals for resources and follow-ups.  I have loved my experience at the Crisis Nursery.  The first day was eye-opening and interesting.  I am happy to help out in any way that is needed at the nursery.  Although the babies are my favorite, I take on every task that I am assigned with a smile.  I have been "buddies" with children of all ages through the 20 hours that I have volunteered there so far.  I have also helped the staff by organizing and putting away donations, toileted children, cleaned bathrooms, vacuumed play areas while the children were playing outside, supervised rest time and outside play, and most of all I have enjoyed my time there.  By coming at the same time every Thursday, I have learned the routine for that part of the day on buys days I have been assigned tasks to go off and do by myself. 


Emily Braden