CRESWELL – From a small classroom at Creslane Elementary School, to its own space with an office, resource room, and even a spare room, Creswell’s Family Relief Nursery just got a significant upgrade.
On Sept. 23, executive director Kyle Riege and his staff cut the ceremonial ribbon to celebrate FRN’s new home at Creswell Presbyterian Church, 75 S. 4th St.
“There aren’t enough words to describe the giving, the compassion, the empathy, the true love you have for people you don’t even know, who need help,” said Creswell Mayor Nick Smith. “That’s something that’s lost in society these days, it’s a gift that needs to be shared 10 times over,” he said.
Jacque Robertson, FRN board director and member of Creswell Presbyterian Church, played a role in acquiring the expanded space. Her background with the church and her family’s involvement with childcare helped guide her to this accomplishment.
When Robertson was younger, her father would walk her to the church for Sunday School while he sang in the choir, which she now directs, where she learned about loving, sharing, and caring outside of her immediate family. Robertson’s mother started the first kindergarten program at the church.
“This building, surrounded by kids, taught people that you can overcome hurdles and you can work through difficulties, because you’ve got people who support it, and that is a true statement of Creswell,” Robertson said.
Riege explained that before the big move, FRN operated out of the third modular building at Creslane Elementary School.
“That space was just not big enough for our needs. It was not big enough for the community here. We have the opportunity to grow and provide more service,” Riege said. “We can do everything that families are going to need to be successful in this community… because this community really needs us and we want to meet the needs of the community.”
The expanded space at the church is now equipped with a large classroom and bathroom on the bottom level. A resource room with a clothing closet, food, and other supplemental household goods, as well as an office space where site director Brian Cantoran can file paperwork, is upstairs.
The church continues to operate its regular services and coordinates with the nursery’s programs.
“We share schedules super well,” Daisy Clark, operations coordinator, said. “We don’t work so much in collaboration with the church; it’s more of a shared space, just because we have our own program, and they have their own program, but they love us as a program,” Clark said.
Program Director Maddie Bright said she has been working to secure a space since May.
“My goal was to have a perfect transition to where, when we come back from summer break, families aren’t confused,” Bright said. “They can just immediately start in here, and it can kind of form naturally. And so that was the goal. I wasn’t gonna stop that goal.”
According to Bright, certifications and inspections were ongoing to ensure the facility was in compliance and up to code before opening day.
“This kind of work does not happen on its own. We cannot be successful without the community support,” Riege said. “It’s because of all of you that we’re even able to be here today, and it’s because of you that we’re able to continue to work as a private partnership with the state.”
Riege said that some of FRN’s funds come from the state, and some from the community.
“We need you all (in order) to be successful. We need you all in order to continue providing this life-changing work to families,” he said. “Thank you all of you for showing up, helping us put in the work, helping us achieve great things, and we’re going to continue to achieve great things together.”
