GREAT FALLS — Toby's House Crisis Nursery in Great Falls will not be opening as soon as originally hoped.
As of Wednesday, the non-profit organization still needs $25,000 to pay staff.
The crisis nursery held an open house several days ago in anticipation of being able to open in October. That was before learning the state denied a request for an exception to open before getting the money.
Toby’s House program coordinator Samantha Stutzman said they had hoped the state would grant a variance to open partially (7am-7p) until the organization can raise the remainder of the funds, but that state regulations requires childcare facilities operating under a Youth Shelter Care license must be open 24/7.
Stutzman said, "We are planning an online auction for the springtime. It just takes a group of driven people, that no matter what obstacle we hit we're going to dive right through it and we're going to get these doors open.”
Businesses willing to offer a product or service for the auction are asked to contact Toby’s House. To learn more, volunteer, or donate, click here to visit the website, or click here to visit the Facebook page. You can also call 406-770-3191 or email admin@tobyshousemt.org.
The organization is also selling calendars to raise money; they are $15 each - call Toby's House if you would like to order one.
- Toby's House Crisis Nursery aims to prevent child abuse
- Progress being made on Toby’s House Crisis Nursery in Great Falls
BACKGROUND: In 2011, October "Toby" Perez died at the age of two after being physically abused - and that's what brought about the idea of Toby's House Crisis Nursery. A crisis nursery is a licensed facility providing short term, non-medical residential care and supervision for children under six years of age, voluntarily brought by a parent of legal guardian due to a family crisis or stressful situation for no-cost childcare.
