Children’s Home & Aid celebrated a $40,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation with a check presentation today at its Bloomington facility. Funding from the Walmart Foundation supports a Child Care Worker at Children’s Home & Aid’s Crisis Nurseries in Bloomington and Rockford. These staff members help meet demand for services, ensuring Children’s Home & Aid has to turn away fewer needy children and families each year in times of dire crisis.
“Children’s Home & Aid’s crisis nurseries are there for families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, providing child care and support services,” said Nancy Ronquillo, President & CEO of Children’s Home & Aid. “Community partners like Walmart help us ensure that we’ll continue to be there 24/7 to meet the needs of families in crisis.”
Children’s Home & Aid, which has Crisis Nurseries in Bloomington and Rockford, provides care and support to low-income, at-risk families facing emergency situations. The program uses a two-pronged approach: the provision of Crisis Child Care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and the delivery of Family Enhancement Support services that empower parents to resolve the issues that led to their need for Crisis Child Care.
In FY 2017, the Crisis Nursery in Bloomington had more than 2,700 admissions, while the MotherHouse Crisis Nursery in Rockford has 1,387.
The event Thursday afternoon brought together representatives from Walmart, Children’s Home & Aid and parents who had benefitted from the service, including Cheranda Rogers.
“The Bloomington Crisis Nursery has quite literally been a life saver, caring for my son during this challenging time in our lives as I face health issues,” said Rogers. “Knowing that my son is in the great hands of the Crisis Nursery staff has allowed me to focus on getting better and to attend doctor appointments that I couldn’t make otherwise.”
“We are incredibly proud to support organizations like Children’s Home & Aid, who make a vital impact in our communities,” said Michelle Neil, Co-Manager of the Walmart in Normal. “Everyone deserves to grow and thrive in a strong community and Children’s Home & Aid is bringing that hope right here to Bloomington.”
