Crittenton Center

04/15/2026

ATTENTION SIOUXLAND FAMILIES!

We are less than TWO WEEKS away from our Bridge to Bright Futures event series- and that means Siouxland Digs Kids is BACK for the fourth year in a row!

Looking for something fun (and FREE) to do with your kiddos? Look no further! In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, we are celebrating children and families in the best way! We will have bounce houses, inflatable obstacle courses, face painting, games, Tastee's Food Truck, a visit from the Sioux City Fire Department, and of course...OUR DIG! Kiddos will have a chance to dig in our sand pits for some awesome prizes (play sand donated by our friends at Bomgaars).

We hope you can make it, we would love to see you all there! For more information, or for questions, please visit: https://crittentoncenter.org/news/bridge-to-bright-futures-returns-for-its-4th-year-a-community-celebration-for-child-abuse-prevention-month

Saturday, April 25th, 12-2pm
Riverside Park (near the pool)

This event was partially funded by our partners at Missouri River Historical Development, Inc - MRHD.

04/13/2026

We are ready to begin our renovations at our new building! But that means...we have some remaining stuff in need of a home!

FREE to a good home! Come anytime before Friday, April 17th between 9am-4pm!

4212 Gordon Drive (formerly Bethel Baptist Church), upper level in the old sanctuary.

Did we mention...all these treasures are FREE?!

Please Note: No Holds; once everything is gone we will take down this listing. Thanks everyone!

04/12/2026

🌟 Celebrating the Week of the Young Child! 🌟

This special week is all about recognizing the importance of early childhood education and the incredible impact it has on children, families, and our communities. 💛

Each day highlights a different way young children learn and grow, and we'll be joining in with activities that bring those themes to life across our child development programs:

🎶 Music Monday- inspiring creativity through sound and movement
🍎 Tasty Tuesday- exploring healthy eating habits
🧠 Work Together Wednesday- building teamwork and social skills
🎨 Artsy Thursday- encouraging imagination and self-expression
👨‍👩‍👧 Family Friday- celebrating strong family connections

Be sure to stay tuned- we're looking forward to sharing how we celebrate our youngest learners each day and giving you a glimpse into the fun, creativity, and learning happening along the way.

For more ways to join the celebration, even at home, visit NAEYC.org for ideas and inspiration.

Find research-based resources, tips and ideas for families—from child development to reading, writing, music, math, and more!

04/11/2026

Today we’re recognizing Marketing Appreciation Day and the role it plays in our work.

At Crittenton Center, marketing is the narrator of our mission—helping tell the stories that reflect both our history and the impact happening every day. It helps amplify the voice of those we serve and ensures our work is seen, understood, and supported.

It’s also how we stay connected. Through outreach, partnerships, and community relationships, marketing helps bridge the gap between services and the people who need them.

Because when the story is shared with intention, it does more than inform—it builds trust, strengthens connections, and moves our mission forward.

04/10/2026

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month—a time to reflect, learn, and take action for the safety and well-being of our children. 💙

This month, we’re highlighting some hard truths: when anger fills a home, it doesn’t just disappear—it shapes how children learn to respond to the world. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that ongoing exposure to stress and conflict can impact a child’s brain development, emotional regulation, and long-term health. In simple terms—when adults are overwhelmed and reactive, children often become overwhelmed and unregulated too.

But here’s the important part: cycles can be broken.

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, and every family faces challenges. What matters is the willingness to learn, grow, and do better—for ourselves and for our kids.

Through our Family Resource Center, we offer Parenting Classes designed to:
✔ Build healthy communication skills
✔ Teach positive discipline strategies
✔ Help caregivers understand child development
✔ Provide tools to manage stress and emotions in the home

If you’ve ever thought, “I want to handle things differently,”—you’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out alone either.

For more information on how stress and adverse experiences impact children, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or the CDC’s resources on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

If you're interested in Parenting Classes or extra support, please reach out to our Family Resource Center at: 712-255-4321 x.151, or email- info@crittentoncenter.org.

04/09/2026

Orange City families, we’ve got exciting news! 🎉

We currently have preschool slots available at our Orange City Child Care and the Mid-Sioux Head Start Program!

This program provides a nurturing, high-quality environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. 💛

Interested or want to learn more? Visit www.crittentoncenter.org to get connected today!

Spots won’t last long—help us spread the word! 📣

04/08/2026

We’re feeling extra egg-stra grateful this Easter 🐣💛

A huge thank you to Redeemer Lutheran Church , Faith United Presbyterian Church of Sioux City, and our amazing private donors for filling baskets and hearts alike. Because of you, our kiddos had an egg-cellent time with their hunts and surprises!

You made this holiday one to remember—thank you for hopping in to make a difference! 🐰

04/07/2026

We’re proud to see our own Erika Fuentes helping elevate an important conversation happening across Iowa.

In a recent interview with KCAU, Erika spoke about legislation aimed at making child care more affordable for the very people who provide it every day. This bill would allow child care workers to receive assistance for their own children—removing a major barrier in an industry where many struggle to afford care themselves.

Right now, this support exists as a pilot program, but lawmakers are working to make it permanent—helping cover child care costs for those working at least 32 hours a week in the field.

Why does this matter? Because when child care professionals can afford care for their own families, they’re more likely to stay in the workforce—strengthening staffing, keeping classrooms open, and ensuring more families across Iowa have access to quality care.

At the end of the day, supporting child care workers means supporting children, families, and entire communities.

📺 Watch the full story here:

https://www.kcau9.com/

04/06/2026

We’re so proud to celebrate our very own Ariel Sanders, Street Outreach Program Director at Crittenton Center! 💙

Ariel was recently recognized by the University of Iowa School of Social Work for her leadership and dedication to youth advocacy—and if you know her, you know how well-deserved this is. She shows up every day with compassion, determination, and a deep commitment to meeting youth where they are and helping them feel seen, supported, and valued.

Her impact on our community—and the young people we serve—is incredible, and we’re lucky to have her leading this important work.

Join us in celebrating Ariel! 👏

🔗 Read her story:

Ariel Sanders leads youth outreach efforts with the Crittenton Center in Sioux City as a part of her practicum placement in Iowa's MSW program.

04/04/2026

We're growing in Le Mars- and we'd love for you to grow with us!

Our Le Mars Child Development Center is hiring classroom educators who are passionate about creating a fun, nurturing early childhood learning environment. If you enjoy engaging with children through developmentally appropriate play and activities, this could be the perfect fit!

-Must be 16+
-Up to date physical, criminal background, and abuse checks required

At Crittenton Center, our employees are the foundation of everything we do. Because of them, we're able to provide truly person-centered care- and we make sure they feel supported, valued, and balances both at work and at home.

Come join a team where staff are happy, supported, and making a difference every day. https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/81FFF2D29AA0F7606BC73DCE594F36FC/jobs/204141

04/02/2026

Thank you, Senator Castillo, for your help in leading the passage of the Child Care Assistance Pilot bill! We appreciate all your help in making this pilot permanent and for sending this bill to the Governor's Office for signing next week!

Fore more information, visit: https://www.kcci.com/article/iowa-lawmakers-approve-plan-to-make-child-care-more-affordable-for-child-care-staff/70887903

04/02/2026

We were just awarded a Grassroots Grant from .org and ! With the grant, the Crittenton Kids Can Grow project will help youth residing at our Transitional Therapeutic Home and Supervised Apartment Living. This project will give kids in shelter and foster care a safe, hands-on space to grow their own food, learn real-life skills, boost their mental wellbeing, and reconnect with nature. Along the way, they’ll gain gardening and nutrition knowledge, have a voice in creating the garden, and walk away with new skills and a sense of pride—while increasing access to fresh, healthy food.