Siouxland Magazine - Volume 3 Issue 3

Siouxland Magazine | Inspire / 20
The HOPES program helped Deidra and her family learn what to expect as the children grew. With their support they’ve had the
patience, practice and determination to parent differently.
Experiencing Human Connection Through Vulnerability
By Dr. Cyndi Hanson
Allowing yourself to be vulnerable and finding
yourself in a vulnerable situation are two entirely
different things, yet Crittenton Center is there
to support people in either circumstance. “Most
people don’t realize we have four programs and employ
80 people,” stated Executive Director, Leslie Heying .
“We have a whole spectrum of programs that support
individuals, families, and children.”
The Crittenton Center operates Supervised Apartment
Living (SAL), H.O.P.E.S education program, The Resource
Center, and four child care centers. “The SAL is a huge
success,” said Heying. “We are one of only a few programs
in the state to work with kids who are aging out of foster
care. They are 16-1/2 years old and need to learn how to
live independently or they end up homeless. We teach
living skills – how to do laundry, find a job, cook meals,
clean their apartment and take care of themselves.”
“We kind of become family to some of these young people,”
said Tracy Feathers, Manager of Major Gifts. Listening to
Heying and Feathers share the stories of those they have
helped, it is clear the program has impacted lives.
The education programs support parents who are learning
parenting skills. Healthy Opportunities for Parents to
Experience Success (HOPES) begins with meeting parents
in the UnityPoint Birthing Center. The new parents have
the option to enroll their newborn up until they turn
3-months old. Crittenton Center staff then provide personal
support, education, and encouragement up to the child’s
fifth birthday. “We’ve been able to help parents identify
hazards they didn’t recognize themselves, like a child eating
paint chips or a baby drinking iced tea instead of milk,”
explained Feathers. Heying continued, “We really get to
know the families. It takes courage for a new parent to ask for
help! These are people who have allowed themselves to be
vulnerable, acknowledging they don’t have all the answers
and need some help.”
The Resource Center is similar in that parents can come in to
ask for help or be referred by social services. The Resource
Center provides incentives for parents to participate in
learning activities. “They can earn diapers, formula, or other
things,” said Feathers.
“Our Child Care Centers cover the entire city,” said Heying.
“We have the West High Infant Center, the preschool at Liberty
Elementary, Stella Sanford Center, and we just opened our
Morningside location in March.” The Morningside location is
a partnership with the Sanford Center and something that
progressed to fruition despite the pandemic. “Partnering
with another non-profit is a risky proposition,” explained
Heying. “We had to make ourselves vulnerable to sharing
mission and resources. It’s not always easy to do that, but we
knew it made sense, and it’s working well.” The Crittenton
Center provides care for children birth to five years old, and
the Sanford Center provides before and after school care,