Keeping Kids Safe: Stories from 40 Years — A Conversation with Roberta Cohen

As the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery marks 40 years of Keeping Kids Safe and Building Strong Families, we are reflecting on the leaders whose vision, service, and dedication have shaped our journey.

In this interview series, we’re sitting down with board members, staff, volunteers, and partners to hear how the Nursery has impacted their lives — and why this work continues to matter.

Today, we’re honored to share a conversation with Roberta Cohen, Advisory Board member, Past President of the Board of Directors, and Founder of the Best Friends Group (now Hearts & Hands Volunteers). Roberta’s decades of leadership and advocacy have helped strengthen the Nursery’s visibility, deepen community partnerships, and ensure that children in crisis always have a safe place to turn. Her reflections speak to the heart of prevention, preparedness, and unwavering commitment to families.

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What’s the first memory or feeling that comes to mind when you think of the Crisis Nursery?
I think of a warm, loving and safe place to stay for children whose families are in turmoil. To me, the Nursery represents a caring and supportive place for parents who need understanding, guidance and the skills to make their world better for themselves and their children.

What does the Crisis Nursery mean to you personally?
To me, the Nursery represents hope that child abuse can be prevented because the causes of the possible abuse… like stress, tension, fighting between the adults at home, drug or alcohol abuse, etc.… are being addressed in a positive way. The youngsters are in a secure, safe environment while the parents try to work out their problems with help from the Nursery’s professionals.

What do you wish more people understood about this place?
I wish people understood the enormous value of the work that the Nursery does to make families safer for the children. I also wish they understood that it is not a babysitting facility but one that provides care for the kids while helping the adults make positive strides to improve their situation…whatever it might be. Plus, the children have art and play therapy, receive medical examinations, receive appropriate medication (if they require it), and get three full meals each day, along with snacks.

If the Nursery didn’t exist, what would our community be missing?
If the Nursery did not exist, where would police or fire emergency crews bring children when there has been a crisis, like a shooting, a car accident that requires that the parent be hospitalized, or a fire that destroys their home. A shelter may work for the adults, but do they want their little ones living there while they work out their next steps, like where they will live or who will care for their children while they are in the hospital?

What inspired you to create the Best Friends Group, and what role did you hope it would play in supporting the Nursery’s mission?
I started the Best Friends Group as a volunteer auxiliary of the Nursery so that when special events or fundraisers were being planned, there would be a supply of “willing hands” to help make those events extra special. The members brought in auction items, provided contacts with bands, florists, and party planning experts. They wrapped auction items, put bows on the baskets they created, and did whatever needed to be done to enable the Nursery staff to focus on the children and parents who needed their help. This group of wonderful women still continues providing help and planning special events.