Northwest Middle School, St. Louis Crisis Nursery

Northwest Middle School, Florissant, MO
Project: St. Louis Crisis Nursery
Adviser: Emem Ituen

The Knights Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) discovered the St. Louis Crisis Nursery through one of their members.

While discussing options for community service, a member shared how she spent the day at the St. Louis Crisis Nursery. She explained that the nursery houses children that are at-risk for child abuse or that have families in crisis. She touched many of the members with her compelling story of her day there, and as a result, the chapter decided to commit their service hours to helping the nursery by making hug blankets for the children and holding a fundraiser to purchase the necessary supplies. The main goal of the service project was to aid the nursery in their efforts creating a safe haven for at-risk children.

All members of the Knights NJHS chapter put in many hours of work towards the project. They stayed after school to make hug blankets, and banners and schedules for the fundraiser and spirit week. The student body and families in the Hazelwood community were very supportive. They made donations during spirit week, and bought items from the fundraisers, making it easier for the chapter to complete their project.

The chapter raised $1,000 to donate to the St. Louis Crisis Nursery, and sent many baskets full of blankets, baby items, and toys for the children in the nursery. They consider their service project highly successful, having accomplished all of their goals: raising money for the nursery, creating homemade items, and donating supplies to aid the nursery in creating a safe place for the children who rely on the St. Louis Crisis Nursery to meet their most basic needs.