Parents needing childcare getting help from local organization, and one special little girl

PITTSBURGH — A crisis nursery in Pittsburgh is stepping up for more families this year, but that means their resources are being depleted more quickly.

Not to fear, a little girl is making sure kids are comfortable when they get to Jeremiah’s Place.

Her name is Harper Malaspina and she lives in Cranberry. Her warm spirit is the driving force behind her PJ drive for Jeremiah’s Place. And so is her mom’s hope of instilling the importance of giving back at a young age.

They narrowed Harper’s holiday service project down to Jeremiah’s Place in East Liberty. It’s the only 24/7 crisis nursery in Pittsburgh that provides emergency child care for kids up to six years old.

“Whether it’s the most extreme cases like fleeing domestic violence or homelessness,” said Lisa Perry, Executive Director of Jeremiah’s Place, or a medical emergency. This year, Jeremiah’s Place has been providing care to kids of essential workers on the frontlines of the pandemic.

“It’s no longer a stigma to ask for help. So we’re seeing families reaching out who would not have in the past,” Perry said.

They realize it’s tough for kids to be in a new place, so every kid that comes through the doors of Jeremiah’s Place for the first time gets a comfort backpack. Inside are books, blankets, a Jere Bear and PJs.

“It’s a warm, comfortable piece of clothing that kind of fits our mission and our vision which is to create a safe and nurturing environment,” said Perry.

And they provided that for 71 new kids just in October. With those kind of numbers, they need to keep their PJ bins full.

Harper set a goal of collecting 100 pajamas for Jeremiah’s Place by Christmas. She and her mom put 200 flyers in their neighbors’ mailboxes and they posted her goal on social media. And she reached her goal!

“For Harper to extend her heart the way that she had done for Jeremiah’s Place it means the world to us,” said Perry.

This is only the beginning of Harper’s Helpers, as she wants to keep helping the community in the future.

“Because it’s nice,” Harper said, so happy she reached her goal.

“Harper is just amazing in her little young self to recognize the importance of giving back,” Perry said.

If you’d like to help Jeremiah’s Place or you need more information about the resources they provide: https://jeremiahsplace.org/

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