K c einder ottagUNI-PRES

Home of the Busy Bees!May 2015Volume 10, Issue 2

564 Veronica Avene, East St. Louis, Il. 62205, www.unipreskindercottage.org

Happy 50th Birthday, Uni-Pres Kindercottage!!!Inside this Edition

Happy 50th Birthday, UPK pg.1ISC 50th Anniversary Mission project pg.3

Board of DirectorsBrenda Crisp, Executive DirectorNancy Spier-Lee, ChairGlenn Mullins, Vice-ChairJudy Brickey, SecretaryChris Greenburg, TreasurerFlo JeffreysMichael SouthcombeHoward SelfLaura CoracyCarla Monroe-PoseyBill WhicherMarguerite “Gretchen” Sterrett

Mission Statement:Uni-Pres Kindercottage is a quality early childhood program in East St. Louis serving low- income families with at-risk infants and preschool children six months to six years old.

(Continued on page 2)

In the early 1960s, a need was identified to provide services to preschool children in the East St. Louis, IL. area. A number of concerned individuals, mostly church leaders, began discussion groups about the lack of preschool and quality opportunities for children. It was through these discussions that Rev. Albert Smith and Rev. Otto Basler became aware of the issues and immediately began looking for ways these children might be helped.

With the cooperation of the Illinois Department of Public Aid, a school to serve these children took shape. Mr. Armin Ripplemeyer, Director of Public Aid, found a building at 3 North 22nd Street, a roller skating rink, that could be used. Volunteers from the United Church of Christ and the Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery combined in making the required improvements to the building that were needed to obtain a license from the State of Illinois. This early partnership served as an opportunity for these two denominations to share in an important local mission. It was a positive union that remains in place today.

On May 10, 1965, this new program received a license to operate as a preschool center serving a maximum of 50 children, ages four and five. Effective October 1, 1965, the demand for services for the new preschool became so great that approval was sought and granted to serve 100 children daily: 50 four-year-olds in the morning and 50 five-year-olds in the afternoon.

Mrs. Evelyn Moore, a devoted employee of Illinois Public Aid, became the first director of the school for one year. She served as a liaison for the center with Public Aid until 1972 and her devotion to the school continued until her death in 1990.

Old Scottish Rite Temple, second home of Kindercottage

Classroom at Scottish Rite Temple

It became apparent that in order for the fledgling school to succeed, organizational work needed to be done. Rev. Bassler, Rev. Smith and Mr. Ripplemeyer worked fast to establish both a Board of Directors and Advisory Council for the school. The Advisory Council realized the important of community involvement and thus sought out Mrs. Lois Ailes, Mrs. Goldie Hill and Mr. Morgan, the former principal of Attucks School, who willingly volunteered. Mrs. Delilah Leak of the Youth Development Training Program in St. Louis attended several meetings and contributed much to the program because of her work with preschoolers in St. Louis. She was also responsible

for our name, Uni-Pres Kindercottage, which came from the close relationship of the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church (Uni-Pres), “Kinder,” the German word for children and “Cottage” meaning the safe, family based programs in this new place. Later the words were combined to form the word “Kindercottage.”

In the early days, there was a Supervising Teacher and volunteer Teacher’s-Aides. There were not enough volunteers to be found so aides were obtained from Illinois Public Aid and paid $40 per month. That was later raised to $75.

Later volunteers were trained at Immanuel UCC in East St. Louis and many were found. An East St. Louis doctor, Dr. Joseph Compton, instructed the new volunteers on the physical and mental health of four and five year olds and Dr. R.B.Ellis examined the children for any health problems.

The school was fortunate to obtain a very qualified Lead Teacher, Mrs. Elizabeth Gregory. She taught for a year before her death from cancer. Mrs. Eloise Edwards and Miss Portia Hunt came after her followed by other exciting directors.

The school met in a large basement room that frequently flooded with hard rain. When it rained, everything was placed on hold while the staff grabbed mops and buckets so that no one would slip or resources were destroyed.

When it was time for licensing renewal, concern was expressed about the state of the building. A search was launched for a new space and prayers were answered when a call came from the Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery that the basement in the Scottish Rite Temple building was available. In 1970, volunteers and staff readied that space for a new home. After 30 years in that location and continued preventive maintenance, it seemed like poor stewardship to continue there. With careful consideration and a feasibility study, a major capital campaign was launched to construct a daycare/preschool facility designed to meet the needs and mission of Kindercottage. It was a decision based on faith and the assurance that churches within the Illinois South Conference of the United Church of Christ and the Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, USA, would again combine their efforts to complete the dream. We moved into our present facility in January of 2000.

Uni-Pres is “one of a kind.” It exists to meet the needs of the whole family. This is accomplished by helping families learn about careers, resume writing, budgeting, shopping, educational opportunities, referrals for utility and housing assistance and providing food and clothing when needed. Our children continue to excel when they reach public school levels. Through field trips, they are exposed to plays, museums, concerts, which otherwise, for many, would never be visited. Our teachers are former welfare recipients who have received associate and bachelor’s degrees and continue to keep abreast of the latest childcare development and ideas.

Kindercottage has changed over the years. Today, it provides early childhood education, hot meals and loving care to a maximum of 82 children ages 6 weeks through 6 years from 6:00 AM to midnight, Monday through Friday. Ms. Brenda Crisp became the Director in 1970 and remains in that position today.

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Classroom at Scottish Rite Temple

Director Brenda Crisp in Scottish Rite Temple

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Illinois South Conference of the United Church of Christ and the 50th Birthday of Uni-Pres Kindercottage, we are inviting you to participate in a special mission project to be dedicated at the ISC Annual Meeting, October 24, 2014.

The State of Illinois has mandated that the Kindercottage playground be updated to comply with new safety standards by January 2016. Kindercottage currently has a Capital Campaign of which the new playground is a portion. We are encouraging all churches of the Illinois South Conference to do what they can to help.

Suggested ways to help are:

1. Donations and fundraisers

2. Volunteer opportunities such as dismantle old equipment, remove mulch, prepare forms and spread concrete, apply TuffTurf tiles to concrete pads, assemble and install new equipment, provide lunches and beverages to volunteers.

Any funds raised should be sent to: Uni-Pres Kindercottage –PLAYGROUND FUND

564 Veronica Ave., East St. Louis, IL. 62205

Construction is scheduled for September through October 2015 so the funds need to be raised by the end of August.

To schedule volunteers for one of the work crews, contact Margie Lindhorst (mlind@htc.net) 618-281-4090. Kent Lylte will direct work crews. Lunch crews will be lead by Margie Lindhorst. Uni-Toys will provide a consultant to assist with correct installation of the TuffTurf tiles and equipment.

For more information, contact Karen Gaines (gaines59@charter.net) or Margie Lindhorst, Co-Chairs ISC Mission and Ecumenism Team

Thank you for your support of Kindercottage—The House that Love Built

Announcing the Illinois South Conference50th Anniversary Mission Project

To Benefit Uni-Pres Kindercottage

Remember to add Uni-Pres Kindercottage to your will or trust!

Classroom at Scottish Rite Temple

Classroom at Scottish Rite Temple

Playground at Scottish Rite Temple

K c einder ottagUNI-PRES

Uni-Pres KindercottageHome of the Busy Bees!

564 Veronica AvenueEast St Louis, Il 62205

PHONE:618.874.6505

FAX:618.874.6535

E-MAIL:unipres@sbcglobal.net

Wish List 2015

• DIAPERS: LUVS, HUGGIES & PAMPERS are used for the sensitive skins. We need sizes 2-6. We can also use all other brands in sizes 4,5 & 6

• Pull Ups for Girls & Boys : Sizes 4-6• Baby Wipes : Sensitive Skin, please read the containers but

also the regular ones.• Baby Bibs: Staff asks for the plastic backing bibs and also the

longer ones for the Toddlers in plastic• Bottles: Plastic 4 & 6 ounce sizes• Formula: Similac Sensitive, Enfamil Infant, Enfamil Gentle

Ease, Parents Choice, • Bottle Washers, Non Spill Toddlers Drinking Cups,

Pacifiers• Healthy Snacks for Toddlers & Preschoolers ( Shop Wal-Mart

especially for toddlers, they have a great variety)• Baby Foods: Stages 2,3 & 4 Toddler Meals

• Juice for Toddlers ( Again, Wal-Mart has a great selection in jars not individuals and all flavors)

• High Chairs: These can be gently used but must be sturdy. • Baby Rocker Seats for Boys & Girls• Paper Products: Paper Towels, Lots of Kleenex, Bathroom

Tissue• Cleaning Supplies: Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Window Cleaner, Oven

Cleaner, Disinfectant, Air Freshener (Solids or Spray), CLR, Dreft Detergent, other liquid or powder detergent, Clorox & Lysol Wipes, Bleach, Bleach, Bleach, Mr. Clean or another brand of floor cleanser, liquid hand soap

• Foods: Cold Cereal, Hot Instant Cereals, Pastas, Canned fruits & Vegetables, Cookies, Granola Bars

• We can use fresh fruits, too.• Office Supplies: 8 1/2 x 11 Clasp Envelopes, Manila File Folders,

Black/ Blue Pens, Copy Paper & legal size plain envelops

Before reading my list, I thank you for everything you have done and are doing for our children. While reviewing this list, please note that we are asking for hypoallergenic products, because of the sensitive skin of our children. This is especially true of diapers and our wipes. Please be sure if you are donating these items, allow us to receive some that will not cause additional skin problems.

I also have a special request: Sometimes I have my community workers do odd jobs to put money in their pocket and for those able to get a ride, gas money for a ride. I would like you to consider purchasing $10.00 gift cards to Wal-Mart or a gas station to help my pockets.

Again, thank you for all and everything you do and have done for everyone here at Uni-Pres Kindercottage.