When families face a crisis – a parent hospitalized, overwhelmed, or encountering an unsafe situation – the Bay Area Crisis Nursery in Concord is there to provide refuge. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, BACN provides a safe haven for children from birth to age 5. Along with around-the-clock childcare, BACN offers a food pantry, free clothing, and a diaper bank for families working to get back on their feet.

    In honor of Mother's Day, and in honor of mothers everywhere, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Orinda recently lent a hand to that mission. When St. Stephen's asked Executive Director Tara Legaspi what the nursery needed most, her answer was simple: "We need new beds in our boys' bedroom. It may sound simple, but a safe, comfortable place to sleep can make all the difference for kids who have already been through so much." St. Stephen's did more than that. The congregation purchased five new beds for the boys' bedroom – then showed up to do the work. Volunteers Patrick Hawthorn, Betsy Donnelly, John Donnelly, and Andrew Hawthorn removed the old, damaged beds and assembled the new ones.

    "We wanted to offer more than encouragement. We wanted to provide rest and dignity," said Betsy Donnelly, who leads St. Stephen's Outreach Ministry. "A bed is a small piece of stability, especially for a mom doing everything she can for her child."

    The project is one piece of St. Stephen's 75-year commitment to the community – a hands-on, neighbors-helping-neighbors approach that includes food programs, school supplies, and support for shelter guests throughout the year.

    For more information about St. Stephen's Church, visit www.ststephensorinda.org. To learn more about Bay Area Crisis Nursery, visit www.bacn.org.