Be the light a child needs; join Maryville at Offshore May 28
The Maryville Crisis Nursery invites the public to help “Light Up a Child’s Life” at its annual fundraiser on Wednesday, May 28, at Offshore, Navy Pier in Chicago.
Proceeds from this special evening will directly support the Crisis Nursery’s mission to provide emergency care and critical resources for children and families in crisis. Guests will enjoy an unforgettable night with breathtaking lakefront views, while making a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families.
Tickets are $200 per person. For tickets and information, visit bit.ly/LightUpAChildsLifeatOffshore.
Sponsorship opportunities are available.
“This event helps us continue to provide a safe place for children and a path forward for parents facing overwhelming challenges,” said Tricia Fitzgerald, program director of the Maryville Crisis Nursery. “Every child deserves safety. Every mother deserves support.”
That kind of support made all the difference for one mother facing the unimaginable: giving up her child for adoption; not by choice, but because she had nowhere to go.
After speaking with the Adoption Center of Illinois, she was desperate, scared and out of options. Then, she was referred to the Maryville Crisis Nursery, and everything changed.
The staff welcomed her with compassion, explaining that the Nursery offers short-term care for children during family emergencies, along with crucial support for parents experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, illness or mental health crises. She asked if she could use the service while she figured out her next steps.
That very night, through a partnership with The Renaissance Hospital Engagement Program, Maryville secured emergency shelter for her and her infant son. Though still uncertain, she was no longer alone. The team stayed in close contact, offering both emotional support and logistic help.
The next day, her baby was welcomed into the Crisis Nursery for two days, giving the mother a chance to rest and plan. The staff provided referrals for longer-term shelters, warming centers and job opportunities. When she returned to pick up her son, they helped her secure a spot at Shield of Hope, a long-term shelter offering family-centered support.
“This is the heart of what we do,” Fitzgerald said. “We meet families where they are, in their most difficult moments and give them the tools and support to move forward safely.”
Her story is just one of many made possible by the Maryville Crisis Nursery, and by community support from events like the May 28 fundraiser.
To learn more about the Maryville Crisis Nursery, visit bit.ly/3W72Jvd.