September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Go gold this September in support of kids battling childhood cancer! In the United States, more than 15,000 children will be diagnosed with cancer each year. The most complicated cases are referred to major children’s hospitals like the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco, which means that families are often far from home for extended periods of time while their child receives treatment.

Family House provides a home away from home for these families, and becomes a center of community and family for those who are away from their usual support networks. Every family has a clean, comfortable bedroom with a private bathroom, and shares a communal kitchen, living, and dining spaces. Staff and volunteers host breakfast every morning, and volunteer groups regularly host dinners for all Family House guests. We help fill hours outside of the hospital with fun activities like therapy dog visits, arts and crafts, music therapy, movie nights, and playtime on our 9,000 square foot courtyard.

Only those who have a critically-ill child can really understand what it’s like - there are stresses beyond stresses: doctor’s appointments, hospital stays, uncertainty about your child’s health and future; medical copays, travel expenses, lost wages; supporting siblings, and self-care. The families at Family House “get it,” and support each other through good times and bad. It’s one of the most important aspects of our mission - community care.

Every family stays for free at Family House for as long as they need; but it is not without cost. It costs Family House $150 per night for a family to stay with us; we are entirely supported through private donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Make a difference for a family going through the most difficult time of their lives: give a gift now.

Rockstar Volunteer: Mari Goldstein

Mari Goldstein brings incredible energy to Family House each time she visits.  She leads weekly yoga classes for the families that stay at Family House and understands the importance of physical, mental, and spiritual exercise.  We are lucky to have Mari share  her knowledge and expertise with our families.

As a yoga volunteer, Mari teaches classes for all interested family members that would like to participate. She even welcomes our younger children that want to experience her classes.

Mari has been a part of Family House since April 2018 and continues to make an incredible contribution to the organization.  Whenever Mari is present, she warmly greets families, staff members, and visitors.  We want to thank Mari and show our appreciation for her talents and all she brings to Family House.

Thank you Mari!

Home Depot Volunteer Day at Family House

Wow! A huge thank you to The Home Depot Foundation and the 80+ (!!!) employees who undertook a major project volunteering at Family House! We’ve been in the Nancy & Stephen Grand Family House for 3 years, and this is the first significant “home improvement” project yet - and who better to do it than the experts from Home Depot? Volunteers repainted the baseboards and accent walls throughout our 92,000 square foot building - a project that took more than a day! While that was happening, other volunteers beautified the courtyard and spruced up the container gardens throughout, with lots of fresh new flowers and plants; and yet others worked on a “picture frames” painting project that will be unveiled later this year. While all this hard work was happening, even more volunteers were hosting a terrific experience for our families - interactive building projects and a great barbecue on the courtyard.

Congratulations to Scott Rustigan, winner of Home Depot’s Angel Award for exceptional service in the community! We know how all you’ve done for Mason and his family has made all the difference in the world, and we’re glad you’re part of the family. Thank you to Amy Hollingshead for connecting your Home Depot family with your Family House family! #teamdepot #homeawayfromhome #family

Click here to see more photos from this wonderful day of service, and click here to watch the video!

Summer Carnival 2019

What a fun day! Thank you to everyone who made this year's Summer Carnival such a good time! Delicious homemade Mexican lunch from the team at GB Group and ice cream from Clover; entertainment by Boswick the Clown and magician The Amazing Caine; glitter tattoos by Anney Chan; Clo the Clover cow came to visit, as did Team Impact and service-dogs-in-training from Canine Companions for Independence; so many carnival games, prizes, and even stuffed animals made by the Hands On Bay Area teens in the HandsOnTomorrow program! Thank you to the incredible volunteers from Okta, the Family House Summer High School Volunteer program, The Madrone Residences & Madrone staff, with a special shout out to Gina Gorman - together, you brought so much joy and laughter to Family House families - we appreciate each of you!

Watch the fun video or see more photos on Facebook.

National Hospitality House Week 2019

Did you know that Family House is part of the Healthcare Hospitality Network, a group of facilities that provide temporary housing for families who have a person with a significant medical condition?  We are proud to celebrate National Hospitality House Week and toast our colleagues near and far for the support we are able to give to families during the most difficult time of their lives. Consider making a donation today to help support Family House as we support families of children with a life-threatening illness - over 4,000 families stay with us each year, 100% cost-free.

Make a gift today to help support families in the midst of a medical crisis.

Bobby Thomas Birthday Fundraiser for Family House

Happy Birthday to the incomparable Bobby Thomas! Bobby has been “The Bunny” during Easter time at Family House for over 20 years, bringing joy and smiles to all the families, all while raising funds for Family House. For his milestone birthday this year, he decided to throw a big bash at the Folsom Street Foundry, and raised over $10,000 in the process! It’s a testament to just how much people love Bobby! And who wouldn’t?! It’s his life’s mission to bring joy to others, and we have proof that he does that wherever he goes! Thank you, Bobby, for all you do for Family House and for everyone who is lucky to know you!

(If you know and love Bobby and want to donate to Family House in his honor, please click here.)

"Here Comes Summer" by Elan Slavin

Here Comes Summer
by Elan Slavin

I can always count on the poet, Shel Silverstein to find the most empathetic, funny, thoughtful way of communicating universal truths.  And the truth is:  Summer is here and if we don’t take a few moments to enjoy it, it will pass as all seasons do.

“Here Comes”

Here comes summer,
Here comes summer,
Chirping robin, budding rose,
Here comes summer
Here comes summer,
Gentle showers, summer clothes
Here comes summer,
Here comes summer-
Whoosh-shiver-there it goes.

Summer can be fun AND summer can be tough for families and kids as everyone’s routines are interrupted.  Kids are on break from school, the weather changes and often times it makes it difficult to play outside and participate in activities that you normally do. Friends and built-in support systems are no longer as “built-in” and available,  and feelings of boredom and isolation become very common.

Here are a few summer time/anytime activities that just might break up the boredom and encourage some summertime fun!
-          Plan a Disney movie marathon
-          Gather a few well- worn items of clothing and TYE-DYE them!
-          Build a fort in your living room!
-          Have breakfast for dinner
-          Star Gaze, of course with a mug of hot chocolate
-          Paint rocks
-          Plan a family Karaoke night
-          Go “camping” in your own backyard
-          On Fridays, eat dessert FIRST for dinner
-          Plant a tree
-          Cook a favorite family recipe together

Summer can be fun for some and rough for others.  It’s always a good reminder to “Put Something In”

Draw a crazy picture,

Write a nutty poem,

Sing a mumble-gumble song.

Whistle through your comb.

Do a loony-goony dance

‘Cross the kitchen floor.

Put something silly in the world

That ain’t been there before.

-Shel  Silverstein