Kids are having a great time!!

  

Programs

Stella Sanford Child Development

Affordable preschool and childcare
for children - birth to age 6

We provide access to infant care, quality early learning experiences, preschool and kindergarten readiness in a safe, caring and nurturing environment for children to grow. A sliding scale fee is used to determine pricing for childcare and preschool with tuition support available.

Family Development,
Education & Support Services

Parenting services to
strengthen families

We provide lasting generational change through parent education classes, family advocates, and individualized home visits so they can be the best parents to their children. Families work as a team with Crittenton Center’s compassionate staff to anticipate future needs and plan for a brighter future through our HOPES Program and our Resource Center.

Life-Skills Training

Independent Living Programs for teens. More than a roof over their heads… a ray of hope.

Supervised Apartment Living (SAL) is a foster care program for teens ages 16½ until completion of their high school diploma/High School Equivalency Test (HiSet) where they learn life skills to help them achieve their personal goals. The goal of the program is for teens to graduate from high school and learn the necessary skills to live on their own.  One-on-one and group education is provided by our case worker giving the teens the support they need to thrive.  

Free for Parents and Caregivers

Crittenton Center’s Resource Center offers short-term parenting classes

African American young girl looking at camera

Comfort for Young Children

Sara found herself alone raising four-year-old, Maribel, after her husband and father of Maribel abandoned them. She struggled to make ends meet and worked hard at staying employed. Sara knew it was important for Maribel, who was not reaching her development milestones, not talking, and being mean to other children, to have an environment where she could thrive. Because Maribel needed to learn appropriate behaviors and Mom needed to continue to work, Crittenton Center was able to provide a scholarship for the family to help pay for Maribel’s childcare. Sara stayed employed and was promoted at her job.

We had started working with an illiterate, single, pregnant 17 year-old, living with her father.

One day she was called to the hospital because her father was injured at work. Not understanding what was going on, she called her HOPES case worker for support. It was explained to her that her father was not going to recover, and upon her father’s death, she also lost his financial support.

 

We helped her get the resources needed to keep her moving forward and stay in the program. Today, she has a healthy baby, is involved in her church, and continues to make great strides.

homelessness help sad teenager

Amy had a difficult childhood. Her parents abused drugs and lost custody of her when she was 11 years old.

She lived in shelters, group homes and foster care, but had a difficult time with trust and following rules and bounced from placement to placement. 

 

At age 17, her DHS worker placed her in SAL.  Amy learned skills such as cooking, budgeting, interviewing, and how to live independently. She quickly got a job at a grocery store and moved into her own apartment. She then completed her high school credits and stayed in touch with her SAL caseworker, who helped her work on getting into college. Amy is now a nurse in the community.

Latest Crittenton news

Variety – The Children’s Charity Grant

Crittenton Center receives grant from Variety – the Children’s Charity Sioux City, IA: Crittenton Center has received a grant from Variety – the Children’s Charity to purchase recreation equipment for the emergency youth shelter called the Crittenton’s Center Transitional Therapeutic Home. The Variety grant will be used to purchase kayaks, paddle boats and a trailer….

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Crittenton Center Elects New Board Members

Sioux City, IA: Crittenton Center announces newly-elected Mari Rickard and Jeff Stanley to their Board of Directors.   Mari Rickard was raised in Sioux City and is a proud graduate of Central High School. She retired in 2017 from work as CASA Director in Nebraska. “I am honored to be joining the Crittenton Center Board…

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Crittenton Center announces new Executive Director

Bringing over 20 Years of Leadership Experience to Crittenton Center Sioux City, IA: Crittenton Center’s Board of Directors announce the hiring of new Executive Director to lead the non-profit agency. Kim Scorza has accepted the position of Executive Director of Crittenton Center, which serves children, teens, and families in Siouxland. Scorza will take over as…

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Iowa State Representative visits Crittenton Center’s Preschool & Childcare Center

Sioux City, IA: Iowa State Representative Jacob Bossman stopped by Crittenton Center’s newest childcare location at 6100 Morningside Avenue for storytime on Friday morning. Representative Bossman read two stories to the kids outside. Following a sweet treat, Kelly Osburn, Site Manager of Preschool & Childcare Center, gave the State Representative a tour of the facility….

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Crittenton Center recipient of Missouri River Historical Development Gift

Sioux City, IA:  Crittenton Center received a $40,000 grant from Missouri River Historical Development (MRHD) to enhance the work Crittenton Center does in serving children, teens, and families.  Grant funds will be used for equipment, materials and other items at the Green Avenue location and the newly opened Preschool & Childcare Center location on Morningside…

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Crittenton Center Re-Opens Former Shelter as Transitional Therapeutic Home

January 1, 2022 Sioux City, IA:  Officials with Crittenton Center are excited to share the re-opening of the Emergency Youth Shelter as the Crittenton Center’s Transitional Therapeutic Home! Crittenton Center has entered into an agreement with the State of Iowa Department of Human Services to serve youth ages 0-18 needing a safe place to stay…

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