SHELTERING EDUCATING EMPOWERING children, individuals and families
Crittenton Center has been serving Northwest Iowa since 1895. We have grown to become a multi-service organization providing emergency shelter and crisis intervention, childcare and preschool programs, family development and support services, and homelessness prevention.
Helping Siouxland Families Shine
We are all about helping children and families, empowering them to reach their full potential.
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.
Programs
Imagine the emotional state of two siblings ages three and five….
The police raided their home as their parents were in the process of doing cocaine. Before the police could apprehend the father, he quickly took the drugs. The children witnessed it all and were brought to us with just the clothes on their backs.
We fed and bathed them. After they were given new socks and pajamas, we tucked them into a soft, clean bed. Their peaceful sleep helped give everyone hope for their future.
Save the Date - Friday, November 8, 2019
Design & Dine: Crittenton Center's Signature Annual Fundraising Event
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.
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.
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