Crittenton Center

02/28/2026

Critt Curiosity: Let's Talk Workplace Burnout

This month, our HR team (Lee and Anna) is diving into a topic that impacts every workplace- BURNOUT.

Burnout doesn't happen overnight. It builds quietly through chronic stress, unclear expectations, heavy workloads, and the feeling of running on empty. And in helping professions especially, it can take a real toll.

At Crittenton Center, burnout is not something to take lightly. Listen to Lee and Anna on how we support our team.

This isn't just a "helping field" issue, it's a workplace issue everywhere. If you're a business leader or team member, here are a few ways you can help prevent burnout in your organization! Healthy teams create healthy communities. When we take care of the people doing the work, the work gets even better.

Stay curious, Siouxland!

02/26/2026

We had the sweetest Critter Story Time this month! 🐛

Our Critter made a special visit to our Le Mars childcare and brought along a very special guest- Mayor Rob Bixenman of Le Mars! Mayor Bixenman read the beloved classic "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", and our kiddos were completely captivated as they followed along with the caterpillar's big appetite and beautiful transformation.

We love creating moments like these that spark imagination, build early literacy skills, and connect our children with community leaders who care about their growth and success. Stories matter! And early literacy lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning.

Thank you, Mayor Bixenman, for sharing your time and your voice with our little learners! And an extra special thank you for bringing treats!

02/25/2026

Crittenton Center is participating in Variety's 52nd Telethon Campaign and we need your support!

Did you know that Variety supports several local Siouxland nonprofits, including Crittenton Center?

It's our goal to raise as much as we can to help Iowa's children and we're asking for your help. With your donation, we can expand our programs, provide more resources, and bring smiles to even more children.

Will you join with us by making a tax-deductible donation? It’s fast and easy to do, and many will benefit from your generosity.

Thank you for your support! Together we can make a difference for Iowa's children in need.

Donate Today at:

Improve lives of children who are at-risk underprivileged critically ill or living w/ special needs.

02/23/2026

Volunteer Spotlight: Thank You, USD!

We want to give a huge THANK YOU to the incredible team from the University of South Dakota who consistently show up to volunteer with us! Your energy, leadership, and heart for service make a meaningful impact on our youth, families, and programs.

Recently, USD highlighted how their students are making an “Impact Beyond the Classroom”(https://www.usd.edu/the-south-dakotan/impact-beyond-the-classroom-usd-shapes-students-into-community-leaders)— shaping students into community leaders through hands-on service and engagement. We see that impact firsthand every time your team steps through our doors. You are living out that mission in the most tangible way, and our community is stronger because of it.

Thank you for being outstanding volunteers and partners in this work!

Want to join them? If you have a heart to serve and want to be part of something purposeful (and fun!), we would love to have you. Fill out a volunteer application and help us continue making a difference in the lives of youth and families in our community: https://forms.office.com/r/nUzUiJP8Za

The University of South Dakota’s Office of Service Learning & Community Engagement empowers students to step beyond the classroom and into their communities, building skills, relationships and a lifelong commitment to service along the way.

02/19/2026

We are proud to recognize our Community Partner of the Month: Sky Ranch Behavioral Services💙

Sky Ranch has been a long-standing and valued partner in several of our federal grant projects, serving as dedicated Substance Use Disorder counselors and service providers for the youth and families we serve. Their team consistently shows up with compassion, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to helping individuals navigate recovery and build healthier futures.

Beyond direct services, Sky Ranch has also supported our work through clinical presentations and education surrounding Substance Use Disorders (SUD)—helping strengthen our staff and community knowledge and ensuring we are providing informed, evidence-based care.

Most importantly, they are simply incredible people doing meaningful work for our community—especially for our youth. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and the impact they continue to make.

Thank you, Sky Ranch Behavioral Services, for walking alongside us in this work! 👏

02/14/2026

💞 Thank You for the Love! 💞

Our hearts are so full after another incredible Will Sioux Be Mine campaign! We want to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone who donated treats, cards, and kindness to help make Valentine's Day special for our Crittenton kiddos!

A special shoutout to our amazing partners at Palmer Candy Store for being a drop-off location and encouraging shoppers to add a little extra love to their carts- and for sharing some love themselves! Your support means so much to us and our kiddos!

We are also grateful to our friends at USD Office of Service Learning for writing Valentines and bringing treats for each of our kids.

And finally- our kiddos! They made their own Valentine's Day boxes and are SO proud of them. Seeing their creativity and excitement was the sweetest part of all.

Thank you for showing up, Siouxland, in the BEST way!

02/13/2026

This week, our staff joined other child care leaders with the Iowa Child Care Coalition to advocate for Iowa families, the people who care for their kids, and solutions to Iowa’s child care crisis.

The coalition is advocating for common-sense changes: better pay and benefits for child care workers, smarter Child Care Assistance (CCA) policies, fairer reimbursement for foster and special-needs care, and tax and funding strategies that keep child care programs open and stable. These changes help families access care, help providers keep their doors open, and help workers stay in the field.

We were grateful for meaningful conversations with Representative Sitzmann, Representative Henderson, Senator Drey, and other legislators about working together to support kids and families.

Bottom line: strong child care = strong families, strong workers, and a stronger Iowa.

02/10/2026

🌐 National Safer Internet Day- February 10th, 2026 🌐

Today we join ConnectSafely in recognizing National Safer Internet Day. For the youth and families we serve, the internet can be a place to learn, connect, and belong- but it can also expose young people to situations, messages, and influences they aren't always prepared for.

That's why online safety, healthy boundaries, and digital awareness matter so much to us. By talking openly and staying informed, we can help youth navigate online spaces more safely and confidently.

02/06/2026

"Will SIOUX Be Mine?"

We picked up our first load of donations from Palmer Candy Store, and WOW- boxes of treats and candy already headed to our kiddos!

The generosity we're seeing is truly heartwarming, and we're so grateful to everyone who has participated so far.

There's still plenty of time before Valentine's Day to join in! While you're shopping at Palmer, simply toss an extra treat into your cart and leave it with Palmer staff- they'll make sure it gets to us. You can also send or drop off cards or store-bought treats directly to Crittenton (4212 Gordon Drive).

Thanks Siouxland for showing the love!