Yolo Crisis Nursery

Helping Children and Families Thrive

The Yolo Crisis Nursery was founded after a foster teen named Arty asked a poignant question. He asked “Why didn’t anyone help my mom when I was little? If they had, maybe we could be together now.”  

Arty’s words still resonate today. Nationwide, 1 in 7 children experienced child abuse or neglect last year. Yolo County is not immune: since 2001, the Crisis Nursery has served almost 9,000 children and their families. 

The Yolo Crisis Nursery is a crucial piece of the safety net in Yolo County providing nearly 3,000 safe stays and over 5,200 care packages last year alone. Crisis Nursery staff support, educate, and empower parents so that they create lasting change in their families and so that their children thrive.

These numbers are powerful, but the stories truly illustrate the Nursery’s impact on children and families. Here is one Mom’s story. 

“We meet families at some of the hardest points in their lives and walk with them toward healing,” said Heather Sleuter, Executive Director. “At the heart of it all, our goal is to keep families together and help them thrive.”

The Yolo Crisis Nursery is entering an exciting new chapter! We are moving into a brand-new, expanded facility that will allow us to serve three times as many children and families. This move is a major milestone, reflecting the growing need in our community and our commitment to keeping kids safe.

But with this incredible growth comes an even greater need for support. Expanding our capacity means more staff, more supplies, more services, and more children depending on us during their most vulnerable moments. Now, more than ever, we need your help to ensure no child is turned away.

We are the only provider of overnight respite care for children under five in Yolo County, open 24/7, 365 days a year. Our emergency childcare and wraparound support services are lifelines for families facing crisis, whether due to domestic violence, health emergencies, homelessness, or other serious challenges.

For nearly 25 years, our trauma-informed, preservation-focused approach has made a real difference. In fact, 98% of families served by the Nursery have not been referred to Child Protective Services, a powerful reminder that early intervention works.

As we grow, so does our impact. But we can’t do it alone. Help us meet this moment and continue providing Hope. Health. Heal. to every child and family who walks through our doors.

MATCHING GIFTS

Get ready to make a lasting impact and your gift will go TWICE as far! We’re thrilled to announce matching gifts for Big Day of Giving, meaning every dollar you give will be doubled to help even more children in crisis.

Our first $27,000 in donations will be matched dollar for dollar by three generous donors. A special thanks to The Dragonfly Fund Jerome H. Hart & Wanda S. Hart Fund of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, and two anonymous donors. Please donate early to make sure your donation doubles!