Our Story
Isabel's House began with a simple belief: every child deserves
safety, stability, and care during life's hardest moments
safety, stability, and care during life's hardest moments
The Story of Isabel's House
The creation of Isabel's House began as a Signature Project of the Junior League of Springfield. The League members' shared desire to address and prevent child abuse and neglect throughout the Ozarks came to fruition after two years of exhaustive research and careful planning.
Various families, foundations, area businesses, and other charity partnerships were involved in the opening and formation of Isabel's House, including: Springfield-Greene County Parks Board, Burrell Behavioral Health, the City of Springfield, Cox Health, Community Partnerships of the Ozarks, Missouri State University, Mercy, the United Way of the Ozarks, and the enduring investment made by the O'Reilly and Wooten Family Foundations.
Isabel's House: Crisis Nursery of the Ozarks opened its doors on June 25, 2007.
Since opening our doors and arms, we have lovingly cared for more than 5,000 children and served more than 2,000 families.
Various families, foundations, area businesses, and other charity partnerships were involved in the opening and formation of Isabel's House, including: Springfield-Greene County Parks Board, Burrell Behavioral Health, the City of Springfield, Cox Health, Community Partnerships of the Ozarks, Missouri State University, Mercy, the United Way of the Ozarks, and the enduring investment made by the O'Reilly and Wooten Family Foundations.
Isabel's House: Crisis Nursery of the Ozarks opened its doors on June 25, 2007.
Since opening our doors and arms, we have lovingly cared for more than 5,000 children and served more than 2,000 families.
The Dedication Ceremony of Isabel's House in June of 2007
Our Name
The name Isabel’s House was chosen for its warmth and friendliness, reflecting the kind of place a child enjoys visiting. Additionally, it recognizes the generosity of our lead donors, the O’Reilly and Wooten Family foundations, whose mother, Isabel O'reilly reflected the same warmth and friendliness we strive for.
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“Isabel (Steifvater) O’Reilly (July 17, 1911 - October 3, 1971) had a warm, friendly and fun-loving spirit. She would often gather groups of neighbor children for lemonade on a hot summer afternoon. She loved animals, especially dogs and cats, and usually had several pets in her home in the mix of her and Chub’s four children: Charlie, Rosalie, Larry, and David. She was a good cook and always welcome for any meal.”
—Rosalie O’Reilly Wooten |
Isabel (Steifvater) O'Reilly
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Isabel’s generous and warm spirit has been passed along to her children and will permanently be felt within Isabel’s House, welcoming all who need help. We are indeed grateful for the support of the community - donors, state and local government, community partners, and of course, volunteers - who have collectively made this place possible!