For Annette, it’s always been about the families.
Annette Anderson has been on staff at Hephzibah for 35 years, 26 of which have been serving as Day Care Office Manager. She’s watched two generations pass through her doors, the children of her first batch of day care children, growing up with the same consistent, loving presence of Annette.
“We care, and it shows.” Annette says, with a gesture of emphasis and a no-nonsense look. “The community knows that Hephzibah is a constructive program where the kids aren’t just sitting there twiddling their thumbs. We try to engage the children, socialize with them, and it helps them grow.”
In 1974, Hephzibah launched the Day Care Program to address the community’s increasing demand for enriching, nurturing, and affordable childcare. In 1976, Mary Anne Brown accepted a position as the Executive Director of Hephzibah. Two years before she arrived, Hephzibah had suspended its residential program for the first time since the agency’s founding in 1897 to redirect its resources to daycare for working parents. Annette recalls: “I had never worked for a child welfare agency before or knew anything about foster care, group homes, etc. Mary Anne showed staff how it looks when someone cares and is concerned about your well-being.
Eight years after Mary Anne Brown’s retirement, Annette continues to honor her: “The agency was led by warm, caring, giving, nurturing and compassion, not only for the children but staff too. She continues to spread the ‘heart’ throughout the community.”
Our site supervisor and admin team in the early 2000s
Over the past 50 years, the program has grown significantly and continually adapted to meet the evolving needs of the community, all with the support and collaboration of Oak Park School District 97. After countless exuberant summers, talent shows, and pies to the face, Hephzibah Day Care is still going strong thanks to Annette and our incredible Day Care team!
Annette shrugs, frankly: “Your income, your race, or anything like that – it doesn’t matter, everyone’s gonna need help one way or another. It’s not just business, it’s not corporate, it’s not just a non-profit. We are a family, and we care. Hephzibah is a home away from home.”