Project Sunshine Update

project sunshine

designing the future

Florence Crittenton’s Design Team have been hard at work over the last 6 months to make the best use of our new space. This has included many hours spent with program leadership and managers who understand intimately the needs of the space for each program and types of families we serve. The process has also included working with the state and local historical authorities to preserve the historical registry of the building. Here are some highlights of the design process:

Ground Floor/Early Childhood Programs:

Will increase our number of classrooms from three to four (one of the new classrooms has already been created since purchase of the property). This will mean doubling the number of children served, from 24 to 48, in four classrooms that will appropriately accommodate each age of development. Additional indoor gym space, full kitchen, and specialized care areas will round out this floor.

1st Floor/Family Healing Center and Administration:

A focus was placed on privacy and comfortable therapy space, as well as specialized play therapy and visitation rooms. Classroom space was created to accommodate all of our current and planned future programming in outpatient and family-based services. Flexible office space that can accommodate growing numbers of staff in bright and inviting space was the name of the game for the administrative side of this floor. We finish this floor off with a “History Hall” at the public entrance that celebrates the long history of both Florence Crittenton and the property caring for the community for over a century.

2nd Floor/Residential:

The residential floor plan was focused on creating a warm, bright, and inviting atmosphere for our families healing from the difficult challenges they face. This included utilizing the “sunshine” space for living areas, creating safety and security measures, and flexible room units that can be expanded depending on the number of children a mother may have with her. Florence Crittenton will take advantage of this rare opportunity and will be finishing the 2nd floor to match the 1st floor. This will allow for additional group therapy areas, a wellness room, and computer lab for our residential clients, as well as create a quarantine area to manage illness outbreaks. When completed, the residential floor will have a total of 17 rooms that can be broken into three separate program areas as needed.

Exterior:

To maintain historic preservation, we will not be making any major changes to the façade of the building. However, we will be adding several playgrounds surrounding the building, as well as a basketball/multi-purpose court, strider bike path, and additional landscaping to provide warmth and enjoyable outdoor space for clients and visitors.

Other Facilities on Campus:

The property boasts three other residential buildings: one duplex and two single family homes. The duplex and one home are currently being utilized for our Transitional Living Program and will continue to do so. The other home will be used for flexible space during renovation and will be transitioned to residential services in the future.

Florence Crittenton understands the importance of this opportunity to create a campus that will take us through the next century. To meet this lofty goal, we must have the right team in place. Florence Crittenton Board and staff have worked together diligently over the past year to create the best possible team to carry out this critical project. This process included creating transparency and accountability in the selection process of all members of the team, from advertising to selection. We want to thank everyone that has been part of this process thus far, including those that submitted proposals. Please meet the PROJECT SUNSHINE TEAM!

Bob Heberly - Vice President - Dick Anderson Construction

DAC is excited to be a part of a project that will make such a large impact on the Helena community. The DAC Family has always believed in Florence Crittenton and the work they do. This project and what they do is very personal to me. As a child, our family supported many of the mothers and families at Florence Crittenton. I can remember my family hosting birthdays and holidays with many of the families. How special it is that I have the opportunity to continue to be a part of Florence Crittenton in my professional career. We look forward to improving their new facility to assist them in the support of local women, children, and families.

Scott Cromwell- Slate Architecture

Scott Cromwell is the Principal Architect in charge of Project Sunshine with his focus on the design, specifications and overall project management. While in architecture school at Montana State University, Scott put himself through school by working at the ASMSU Daycare. Babies and young children have always been in Scott’s life, from watching over them to teaching them and providing opportunities for them wherever he can.

It is with this passion that he is excited to be a part of Project Sunshine. He is working closely with Riley Hanson and Seth Varty to share the love in design of spaces for the Florence Crittenton team, the moms who will call those space home and especially to nurture the children to carry us into the next generation.

Upon hearing Florence Crittenton was looking at acquiring the beautiful art-deco Cooney Home, Scott, Riley and Seth are excited for not only the opportunity to help such a great institution of Helena, but as an architect the chance to work on such an iconic building of Helena’s history.

Growing up in Helena I have always been aware of Florence Crittenton. It has only been the last couple years that my wife and I have really been able to get to know the organization behind the name and the wonderful people associated with it. This organization is vital not only to Helena but they help so many families around Montana. We are so happy and honored to be part of Project Sunshine which will allow them to expand and provide the needed services to families that will be nothing short of extraordinary.

If you are interested in learning more or supporting this endeavor, please visit our website, projectsunshine.info and join us in creating bright futures for Florence Crittenton families!

Paul Arneson - Structural Building Systems of Montana Owners Representative for Project Sunshine

pink is back!

Dust off your dancing shoes, PINK is back! Join us for a roaring good time with sumptuous decor, gourmet food, live music and incredible live and silent auctions.

Bring your best dance moves for the party of the year and know your presence is changing the lives of families in our community.

Saturday February 11th 2023 Lewis & Clark Fairgrounds www.paintthetownpink.info

Thank you to all our outstanding corporate partners and bratists for their contributions to Support Our Girls 2022. Because of their support we were able to ensure that every penny raised from the event goes directly to those who need it the most: young families from across Montana that we can help with our familycentered programs.

support our girls!

The 12th annual Support Our Girls was a great success! With the inclement weather, we moved the event to Green Meadow Country Club. The rain was welcome, but it certainly created the need for a quick pivot. Because of your amazing support, we had another record-breaking year and netted over $43,000 for the young families at Florence Crittenton Family Services. Thank you all so much for your support! Special thanks to our everamusing emcee, Shane Larson.

thank you to our sponsors

thank you to auction donors

A2Z Staffing Solutions Anderson ZurMuehlen Big Sky Brokers LLC Real Estate Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana Dear Potato Diamond Dream Wholesale & Supply Erica Johnston & Jamie Palagi Flying Giant Adventure Park

Funky Trunk Great West Engineering Intrepid Credit Union Jill Allen Marly Kendrick Mountain Wellness Radiant Life Chiropractic Rising Joy Creations Savor + Graze Montana SpaceOneEleven Stone Tree Climbing Center Strong Fitness Studio Unpack'd Luxury Picnics and Tablescapes Wild Child Collective