Toby's Story

Toby was just past his third birthday when he came to KidsFirst, the emergency shelter for children at the St. John’s campus. His father decided he no longer wanted his beautiful, healthy toddler, so when he caught the Greyhound from Grand Rapids to Detroit he simply left Toby in the terminal.

An alert citizen called the police, who immediately brought him to a big house on St. John’s campus. A friendly counselor fed him a bowl of spaghetti, then gave him milk and a cookie. She gave him a gentle health check up, a bubble bath, and some clean overalls. Finally, she rocked Toby to sleep. Meanwhile, Protective Services located Toby’s family. By dinner time, a case worker arrived to take Toby to his grandmother’s home.

KidsFirst never closes. When a child needs a safe refuge, we are ready.