Our Mission

After four decades of serving children and families in crisis, we took time to reflect on who we are today and the future we are building.

In this video, members of our leadership team share the collaborative process behind our refreshed mission and vision statements, honoring who we have always been while clearly articulating our path forward.

These words will guide the next chapter of our work, strengthening safety, stability, and hope for children and families in our community.

Our Mission

The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery is a safe place for children and families in crisis, providing 24/7 access to emergency care and a support network so families can achieve stability.

Our Vision

We envision resilient children and empowered families in safe and nurturing homes.

Our History

The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery has been a national leader in child abuse and neglect prevention for 40 years, offering immediate crisis intervention and intensive follow-up support to families with children from birth to age 12. Specifically designed around evidence-based approaches for families facing multiple risk factors, SLCN programs provide trauma-informed crisis intervention, emergency respite care, case management, care coordination, and parenting support for struggling families across our region.

Originally opening its doors in 1986, the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery was the first Crisis Nursery in the state of Missouri, founded by the Junior League of St. Louis, the Coalition of 100 Black Women, and Deaconess Hospital.

Beginning with just one location, the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery has grown to include five Crisis Nurseries and ten community-based Outreach Centers across the Greater St. Louis, St. Charles, Lincoln, and Jefferson counties.

The Crisis Nursery has remained true to its original mission of child abuse and neglect prevention.