An "Island of Safety"
1309 West Hill St, Urbana, IL 61801
Administration: (217) 337-2731 . Crisis Line: (217) 337-2730
About Us
Historical Overview
The need for a crisis nursery to prevent child abuse and neglect emerged in 1979 through the recommendation of the local Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. In 1981, a nurse at McKinley Health Center and a social worker at Burnham Hospital revived the idea and began organizing an effort to start a nursery. After months of planning, the Crisis Nursery of Champaign County was incorporated on December 14, 1983, and opened its doors for children on July 9, 1984. The Crisis Nursery is the product of a dedicated group of concerned citizens, pediatric nurses and social workers from Burnham Hospital, McKinley Health Center, the University of Illinois School of Social Work and Champaign-Urbana League. The Nursery was established as a not-for-profit, tax deductible organization and is licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Initial housing for the Nursery was in a wing of the now-closed Burnham Hospital. When Burnham was closed, the then Covenant Medical Center generously offered in-kind support of a house, utilities, food, laundry and security.
The Nursery relocated to 1409 E. Park Street, Urbana, a house donated by Provena Covenant Medical Center, in August 1992. The Nursery began providing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week service and other crisis/emergency care to assist struggling families and to take prevention a step further.
In February 2001, the Nursery moved to its new home at 1309 West Hill Street, Urbana, doubling the Nursery's space and capacity. Crisis Nursery continues to meet the growing need to protect children and build families. The concept of a crisis nursery grew out of community effort, dedication and work, and it continues today because of the generous financial, in-kind, and volunteer support of the community.
The efforts on the part of Provena Covenant Medical Center, local community citizens, businesses, and groups led to recognition of Crisis Nursery with the Congressional Point of Light Award. The award recognizes individuals, groups and organizations who work together "with little or no pay or recognition" to address serious social problems.
The Nursery served 191 children during the first year of operation and continues to grow in the number of children seen (1,673 admissions in July 2000-June 2001) and services rendered to families. Crisis Nursery is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for children to stay from a few hours to a flexible maximum of 72 hours. Over 175 volunteers weekly assist professional staff to ensure the highest quality of care and individual attention. The program offers an "Island of Safety" to children whose families are in crisis due to parental stress, illness, accidents, homelessness and substance abuse who have no other resources. After the crisis, supportive groups and individual help are provided when appropriate to assist families in becoming more self-sufficient. Community education, referral services and provision of basic resources are an integral part of the program.
Crisis Nursery protects our community's greatest natural resource---our children. Each child represents a unique individual who cannot be replaced. Every child who dies from child abuse or neglect, lives with violence, lacks love, nurturing and a happy, safe childhood diminishes us all.