In December 1884, Mary Virginia Merrick was told about a woman who would soon give birth and who had no clothes for her baby. Quickly organizing her sisters and friends, Mary Virginia provided a complete layette in time for the infant’s arrival. This was the beginning of what became the signature program of the Christ Child Society – the Layette program. Other service programs soon followed as members identified ever-changing needs within the community.
Members lead, organize and support these Follow the Child programs that impact the children in our community:
Layettes
Serving needy infants.
Since 1948, the Christ Child Society – Milwaukee Chapter has provided needy infants in the greater Milwaukee area with complete layettes.
Each layette includes:
1 crib blanket, afghan, or quilt
1 receiving blanket
1 sweater set or zipped sweatshirt
2 onesies
2 sleep and plays
1 blanket sleeper
2 pairs of socks
1 knit hat
1 board book in English or Spanish
1 bottle
Diapers in size newborn or 1
Clothing size is 3 – 6 months
Included in the layette is a pamphlet on Shaken Baby Syndrome, a flyer for the Christ Child Society Resale Shop, and a flyer for our Second Saturday program for mothers and their children. Each layette is valued at approximately $175.00.
The Layette program is the signature program for all Christ Child Society Chapters. Members donate to the program by knitting or crocheting hats, blankets, and sweaters and by hemming blankets. Members can also purchase Layette items that they wish to donate. We also gratefully accept donations from the community for our Layette program.
Members meet on the third Monday of each month at the CCS Center at 3315 N 124th St in Brookfield to assemble layettes which are distributed to needy infants at hospitals and agencies in the Greater Milwaukee area. Each month, approximately 120 layettes are distributed.
Hospitals/Centers supported by this program:
- St. Joseph’s Hospital
- Aurora Mt. Sinai Hospital
- Froedtert/Children’s Hospital
- Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital
- Elmbrook Hospital
- Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital
- Waukesha Memorial Hospital
- Aurora West Allis Hospital
- Women’s Care Center – Mitchell Street
- Women’s Care Center – Farwell Avenue
- All Saint’s Hospital
My Stuff Bags
Providing supplies for children moving to shelters and foster care.
The Christ Child Society supports children who need to quickly leave their homes due to abuse, neglect or eviction. For more than 20 years, we have prepared My Stuff Bags and, more recently, Toddler Bags for several Milwaukee homeless shelters and a foster care program. We average about 1,000 bags per year, offering comfort and clothing for toddlers through teens. All items are packed in a sturdy blue bag which the child owns with a spot for their first name on the front.
Members purchase or gather donations of new items for the bags, then assemble them on the first Thursday of the month and deliver the bags to the agencies.
My Stuff Bags are filled with these essential articles in children’s sizes 2 to 18:
- One pair of pajamas
- Two shirts
- Two pairs of socks
- Two pairs of underpants
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Hairbrush or wide-tooth comb
- One cuddly stuffed animal or soft football
- Deodorant for older children
- Hat, scarf, and mittens in winter
Toddler Bags are for little ones. They include items in 9-month, 12-month, and 18-month sizes:
- Two sleep & plays
- Two onesies
- One sleep sack
- One hooded bath towel
- Two washcloths
- Two pairs socks/booties
- Diaper wipes
- Personal care items (such as shampoo, body wash, lotion)
- One sippy cup
- One board book
Shelters/Facilities supported by this program:
- Meta House
- Cathedral Center
- Joy House
- Children’s Services
- New Horizon Center
- Milwaukee Women’s Center
- Blanket of Love
Second Saturday
Supporting mothers and their children.
The Christ Child Society supports mothers and their children by providing a regular meeting place where they can participate in social and educational activities, with an emphasis on reading. The program meets on the second Saturday of each month, September through May, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at All Saints Church – 4060 N. 26th Street. The entrance to the cafeteria is on the south side of the building between 25th and 26th Streets and a large parking lot is available. We are also on the bus line.
Various educational programs are offered, a delicious lunch is served, and a take home gift is given to each family. Student volunteers enjoy assisting with the children’s art project, playing games, or reading a story to the children.
We would love for you to come and have fun and develop new friendships. Come join us! If you have any questions, please contact us.
Teacher Assistants
Christ Child Society members volunteer throughout the school year at Blessed Savior South Elementary School as tutors. They help and encourage children to become better students and assist teachers in many ways. The Christ Child Society Milwaukee Chapter is pleased to have provided the following support for students, teachers, and staff:
- Computers, computer maintenance, and software for the computer lab
- Two mimeos that make the Smartboard available to all grades
- An Internet connection for each classroom
- Books and materials to update the school’s library
- Books and school supplies
- Funding for teacher computer education and training
Through these gifts, the Christ Child Society hopes to create an environment that cultivates a love of learning among students, fosters self-esteem, and improves math and reading skills.
School Support & Literacy
School Support & Literacy assists schools by helping to supplement various programs that benefit their students. The following schools received financial support from the Christ Child Society for 2023-2024:
- St. Joan Antida High School
- St. Coletta’s Day School of Milwaukee
- Messmer Catholic Schools
- Blessed Savior South Elementary School
Due to our focus on literacy, a vending book machine stocked with 250 new books has been placed at Blessed Savior South. Students receive tokens for various good deeds, birthdays, academic improvement, etc. to choose a new book from the machine. In addition, CCS provides teacher assistants who weekly, work with children in reading or math under the direction of the classroom teachers.
Another new literacy component is the installation of bookshelf libraries at four of the homeless shelters we serve with My Stuff Bags. These are new and/or gently used books which the children may take with them if desired.
Programs/Support provided by this program:
- Teacher Assistance
- Financial Support for school programs
- Library – Blessed Savior South
- Joan Antida High School
- Coletta’s Day School
- Messmer High School
Children’s Vision Screening
Serving elementary school children.
During the school year, Christ Child Society members, who are certified as children vision screeners by Prevent Blindness Wisconsin, conduct vision screenings at parochial schools in the Greater Milwaukee area. Several hundred children (pre-school students as well as older identified students) are screened. Approximately, 10% of the children are referred for a complete eye exam. For students who qualify financially, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin can provide free eye exams and glasses.
Infants and Children
Served by Our Organization
in the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year
Infant Layettes
- About 1,700 Layettes distributed to hospitals and social service agencies for needy infants. A team of approximately 24 women assemble layettes each month.
- Donated items that could not be used in Layettes were given to agencies.
My Stuff Bags
- Over 900 My Stuff Bags were assembled and distributed to 6 shelters and agencies for children in crisis removed from their homes. These bags are assembled by about 20 monthly volunteers.
- During April, My Stuff Bags has expanded to include “toddler bags”, sizes 9, 12 and 18 months.
Second Saturday
- Over 20 families participate on a regular basis at All Saints parish. This year, the popular Ko Thi Dancers performed and there was an excellent program on Bees.
School Support Services
- 3 schools received financial assistance for programs to benefit students
- CCS purchased and stocks a book vending machine for Blessed Savior South Elementary School. and bookshelves and books were provided to our participating homeless shelters so that they have “libraries”.
- CCS has teacher assistants at Blessed Savior South Elementary School
Vision Screening
- 880 children screened by 15 vision screeners at 18 parochial schools
- Approximately 12% of the children were referred for a complete eye exam