Around the world, mothers and their children are in need of help due to troublesome situations or home lives. Crittenton, a nonprofit organization, was started to assist struggling families from local areas to foreign countries.
The Florence Crittenton Services was officially born in 1975 as a residential home for unwed, pregnant women or children who were planning to give their children up for adoption. The foundations mission to provide resources, social and emotional support for teen mothers and their children.
Around Christmas time, Campus Ministry hosts the Angel Tree project through Crittenton where Royals can sponsor a kid or family and send them gifts. Some of our clubs even decided to sponsor a family for their service project!
Senior Abby Wright regularly volunteers at Crittenton and is very passionate about their mission. I was able to interview Abby about her experience helping at Crittenton:
Q: Can you give a brief explanation of what kind of program Crittenton is?
A: Crittenton Services for Children and Families is a nonprofit [helping] children, youth, and families. The program I work for within Crittenton helps mainly teens and kids immigrating from foreign countries, victims of human trafficking, child abuse, and/or neglect. Clients stay with Crittenton until they can be placed with biological family, extended family, or other legal guardians that can assume responsibility for their wellbeing. They provide their clients with schooling, daycare for the little kids and babies, extracurriculars, and opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have.
Q: How many times a week do you volunteer?
A: I usually volunteer after school on Tuesdays from 3–4:30. However, I also sometimes go there on weekends with my NCL class or my fellow Royals to host “paint and sits,” or little parties for the girls in each cottage to get together and hang out.
Q: Why did you start and why did you continue/stay?
A: It all began with my older sisters, who did NCL before me. They always loved babysitting and volunteering at Crittenton, so it was only natural I followed in their footsteps when I became old enough. I continued to stay and volunteer because the girls and I, while there is a huge language barrier, were so curious about one another. We all have our own stories, and we all share them when we meet. It’s a healing experience for all of us.
Q: What does an average day volunteering at Crittenton look like for you? Do you have a routine or schedule?
A: An average day at Crittenton consists of this: first, I sign in at the front office, then I’m escorted to the nursery, and I proceed to stay and help take care of the babies while their moms are in class. I stay there until the moms arrive and pick their babies up. Then, once all the babies are picked up and the nursery is tidied and ready for tomorrow, I’m once again escorted out of the building, where I’m picked up by my mom.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who is interested in volunteering?
A: Learn common phrases in Spanish, French, and Arabic, if possible. It helps with communication between you and the moms. Also, learn how to burp a baby correctly, basic first aid for babies is also helpful, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. I have been peed on and thrown up on but it’s all worth it when the moms come, and I get to see the babies get all excited. It helps me to remember that I’m making their days a little easier, and I don’t have to go far to do this, either. It’s always important that you look in your own backyard and community first when you want to help people because the people you help will spread that kindness onto others, and it starts a chain reaction that helps make everyone’s day a little better!
Q: Do you have any fun stories or special memories you made while volunteering?
A: Yes. This memory was a huge moment for me. Halfway through one of the times I was working, we got a new kid. I’m talking fresh out of the airport, never-been-here-before kid. She was like four, and it was her first time being without her mom. The first person she ran to was me, and she hugged me super tight while crying. I realized that I was the same age as her mom, so she felt safe with me. So I held her for as long as she needed me, and when her mom came to pick her up, she gave me one last hug and left.
If that story didn’t make you emotional, I don’t know what will. The children at Crittenton are so lucky to have people like Abby to help take care of them.
If you are interested in volunteering, email Abby at [email protected]. If you would like to sign up to sponsor a family, or simply just donate, email [email protected] for more information!
