How Maryville is staying true to its mission during the COVID-19 pandemic
Maryville is steadfast in its resolve to serve its beautiful ministry for the children and families in its care amid the unprecedented challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the directives of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, government partners, companion agencies and others in the community, necessary precautions were taken immediately to protect the children and families, and its dedicated staff.
"These are challenging times," said Maryville Executive Director Sister Catherine M. Ryan O.S.F. "We want to make sure that we are following directives and precautions to protect our children, families and staff."
Programs under its six services: Early Childhood, Educational, Residential, Family, Behavioral Health and Jovenes Adelante moved to action as soon as Gov. Pritzker announced school closings in early March and enforced the stay-at-home order later in the month.
These mission-oriented actions include:
• Implementing a new E-Learning/Remote Learning Plan for Jen School day students.
• Engaging the children in our residential programs with different educational activities to allow them a virtual classroom experience.
• Upholding the services of Maryville Crisis Nursery, a crucial resource for community members. Parents have called the Crisis Helpline to talk about their fears and concerns. Maryville staff checks in with families and children daily to evaluate their immediate needs and well-being. Staff created short "Reading Time" at Crisis Nursery videos for families with small children to view on social media.
• Supporting mothers through their recovery and sobriety - and helping them with their children - who are under the care of Saint Monica Home and Family Behavior Health Clinic.
• Canceling nonessential medical appointments of our children from the Children's Healthcare Center.
Maryville is very grateful for the outpouring of generosity and kindness from people who have come together to help. Friends in the food industry donated their excess food to the residential programs while different organizations donated medical gloves, hand sanitizers and other essential items. There are other ways to help Maryville; visit bit.ly/2Jt7j0r to find out.
During this time of uncertainties, Maryville continues to provide essential services under the governor's order by providing homes for children who cannot remain in their homes and providing services to support the children who are in their family's homes.
Maryville is hiring as a result and you can explore employment opportunities at bit.ly/2UbW1Ug.
It is Maryville's mission to help children and families reach their fullest potential by empowering intellectual, spiritual, moral and emotional growth.
To find out more about Maryville's programs, visit www.maryvilleacademy.org.