And Day 2 of 30 Ways is a wrap! I got to spend my day at my favorite place in Lexington for this one: the Keeneland race track, surrounded by some of the best company (and food!) in the Bluegrass!
The Nest Center for Children and Families may or may not be a nonprofit that you are aware of in the Lexington community. They are very heavily involved and always seem to be hosting another incredible event or working with another nonprofit in the Bluegrass. This big yellow house on North Limestone provide a safe place for education, counseling, and support to children and families in crisis. More about The Nest, as well as ways you can help, can be found below.
Pony Up!
I was honored to be asked to be a volunteer and guest for Pony Up for The Nest, a wonderful fundraiser at Keeneland that will benefit The Nest of Lexington and co-hosted by Sayre School. I helped director Jeffrey White, Sheri Estill and Rosie Harries set up the room, prepare the tables and name tags for guests, and show each to their seats as they arrived. Each donor received a children's book with their plate ticket, each of which was signed and donated to the children of The Nest in the guest's honor. (Pictured are *almost* all of these books that were donated!)
I was in charge of the Keeneland trivia game, which resulted in much laughter and playful banter between guests who thought they knew their horses better than their table mates. (Personally, I didn't know a single answer! Did you know that 250 gallons of burgoo are served at Keeneland on average every race day? That's a lot of stew. Yikes! I'd like to see the stats on the un-be-LIEV-able bread pudding!)
The donors were all treated to a fabulous hot buffet in the Phoenix room at the race track while they caught up over an adult beverage (or three, or four!) and, of course, some obligatory horse betting.
After all the races were over and everyone's bellies were bursting from the drool-worthy food and smorgasbord of Derby pie and chocolate-dipped chocolate chip cookies, the Keeneland cake (Beautifully designed by Bake Mia Cake in Nicholasville, KY) was cut for all to enjoy!
I was delighted to meet many others that were involved with youth in Lexington, and was happy to chat about my 30 Ways event and how I could help their organization as well. This is exactly what I was hoping for--learning more and more about these small, up-and-coming causes that deserve awareness in the community. It's been wonderful to meet so many like-minded people and see the way each organization and person intertwines with another.
Kind of like... a Nest. How funny.
This was a beautiful day and I'm grateful to have spent it around such wonderful supporters of this cause!
What is The Nest?
The Nest provides a safe place for education, counseling, and support to children and families in crisis. The umbrella of supportive services help to foster healing, stability, and well-being of the families in the community it serves. The organization focuses ideally on the prevention of child physical and sexual abuse and/or neglect, as well as support for stabilizing the family as a whole.
The support can be divided into four categories:
1. Respite Child Care
Children 0-5 years old receive free preschool services. The child care program supports a safe and nurturing environment when the parent(s) are not able to financially afford safe child or emergency care. The Nest provides long-term care for those that are able to pay, based off a sliding scale. One a quarter, families and children all are able to sit down and have a meal together that they may not experience at home. This normally has a fun theme and the parents and children are able to interact with one another in this safe space.
2. Crisis Care
This is the biggest service area of The Nest, and where there is always a need from people like you! Families are always in need of cleaning supplies, emergency food, adult/infant toiletries, children's clothing and diapers, and referrals for financial assistance. These items not only provide for the families physically, but also allow them to build confidence and a sense of stability while they are on their way to getting back on their feet.
3. Domestic Violence Counseling
This program is designed to help provide support to families that are struggling now or in the past with domestic violence. Victims are counseled in individual or group settings, and are also offered in Spanish. There is also a 10-session workshop that allows victims and opportunity to heal, learn self-love, and how to develop healthy loving relationships with others. There is a huge emphasis here on talking about the future and moving forward rather than what has happened in the past.
Legal and advocacy representation is also offered for the emergency protective process.
4. Parent Education and Support
The Nest offers a 12 week parenting class for court mandates in order to regain child custody. There are groups for either parents: Nurturing Moms and 24/7 Dads. Intensive infant bonding classes are also offered so that parents can learn the crucial parent-child bond process, with the assistance of a child care professional and counselor.
Get Involved!
Volunteer
There are endless opportunities to help out, whether volunteering your time to an event or reading to kids-- your talent and time can be well spent here! Click the link to submit a volunteer request today.
Donate (monetary or personal items)
Here is a list of frequently needed item, as well as a link to donate if you would like to contribute.
Corporate Donations/Sponsorships
A number of larger monetary donation options can be found here.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Check out an event you can attend or volunteer for!
The Nest Center for Women, Children, and Families
530 N. Limestone Street
Lexington, KY 40508
(859) 259-1974
Pony Up!
I was honored to be asked to be a volunteer and guest for Pony Up for The Nest, a wonderful fundraiser at Keeneland that will benefit The Nest of Lexington and co-hosted by Sayre School. I helped director Jeffrey White, Sheri Estill and Rosie Harries set up the room, prepare the tables and name tags for guests, and show each to their seats as they arrived. Each donor received a children's book with their plate ticket, each of which was signed and donated to the children of The Nest in the guest's honor. (Pictured are *almost* all of these books that were donated!)
I was in charge of the Keeneland trivia game, which resulted in much laughter and playful banter between guests who thought they knew their horses better than their table mates. (Personally, I didn't know a single answer! Did you know that 250 gallons of burgoo are served at Keeneland on average every race day? That's a lot of stew. Yikes! I'd like to see the stats on the un-be-LIEV-able bread pudding!)
The donors were all treated to a fabulous hot buffet in the Phoenix room at the race track while they caught up over an adult beverage (or three, or four!) and, of course, some obligatory horse betting.
After all the races were over and everyone's bellies were bursting from the drool-worthy food and smorgasbord of Derby pie and chocolate-dipped chocolate chip cookies, the Keeneland cake (Beautifully designed by Bake Mia Cake in Nicholasville, KY) was cut for all to enjoy!
I was delighted to meet many others that were involved with youth in Lexington, and was happy to chat about my 30 Ways event and how I could help their organization as well. This is exactly what I was hoping for--learning more and more about these small, up-and-coming causes that deserve awareness in the community. It's been wonderful to meet so many like-minded people and see the way each organization and person intertwines with another.
Kind of like... a Nest. How funny.
This was a beautiful day and I'm grateful to have spent it around such wonderful supporters of this cause!
What is The Nest?
The Nest provides a safe place for education, counseling, and support to children and families in crisis. The umbrella of supportive services help to foster healing, stability, and well-being of the families in the community it serves. The organization focuses ideally on the prevention of child physical and sexual abuse and/or neglect, as well as support for stabilizing the family as a whole.
The support can be divided into four categories:
1. Respite Child Care
Children 0-5 years old receive free preschool services. The child care program supports a safe and nurturing environment when the parent(s) are not able to financially afford safe child or emergency care. The Nest provides long-term care for those that are able to pay, based off a sliding scale. One a quarter, families and children all are able to sit down and have a meal together that they may not experience at home. This normally has a fun theme and the parents and children are able to interact with one another in this safe space.
2. Crisis Care
This is the biggest service area of The Nest, and where there is always a need from people like you! Families are always in need of cleaning supplies, emergency food, adult/infant toiletries, children's clothing and diapers, and referrals for financial assistance. These items not only provide for the families physically, but also allow them to build confidence and a sense of stability while they are on their way to getting back on their feet.
3. Domestic Violence Counseling
This program is designed to help provide support to families that are struggling now or in the past with domestic violence. Victims are counseled in individual or group settings, and are also offered in Spanish. There is also a 10-session workshop that allows victims and opportunity to heal, learn self-love, and how to develop healthy loving relationships with others. There is a huge emphasis here on talking about the future and moving forward rather than what has happened in the past.
Legal and advocacy representation is also offered for the emergency protective process.
4. Parent Education and Support
The Nest offers a 12 week parenting class for court mandates in order to regain child custody. There are groups for either parents: Nurturing Moms and 24/7 Dads. Intensive infant bonding classes are also offered so that parents can learn the crucial parent-child bond process, with the assistance of a child care professional and counselor.
Get Involved!
Volunteer
There are endless opportunities to help out, whether volunteering your time to an event or reading to kids-- your talent and time can be well spent here! Click the link to submit a volunteer request today.
Donate (monetary or personal items)
Here is a list of frequently needed item, as well as a link to donate if you would like to contribute.
Corporate Donations/Sponsorships
A number of larger monetary donation options can be found here.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Check out an event you can attend or volunteer for!
The Nest Center for Women, Children, and Families
530 N. Limestone Street
Lexington, KY 40508
(859) 259-1974