New Volunteer Opportunities: The Nancy & Stephen Grand Family House

As we look to the Grand Opening of the Nancy & Stephen Grand Family House at Mission Bay, we are excited about all the additional volunteer positions that we will need to fill to better serve our families.

Corporate Groups
Large groups of 50-70 people are needed to help us move into the new house at Mission Bay. Specific projects include setting up communal spaces (unpacking and organizing kitchen ware, setting up toys, games, and books in living rooms, etc.) and disinfecting surfaces before families move in. These projects will take place throughout February and March, and are extremely important!

After the move, we will continue to have volunteer opportunities for groups of up to 70 people for maintenance and disinfecting tasks, as well as event support at the house and at fundraisers.

Reception
The Nancy and Stephen Grand Family House will have a reception desk, and volunteers here will be the first point of contact for incoming families! We are looking for dedicated individuals who can volunteer for at least 4 hours per week, with a 6 month commitment. This will enable us to thoroughly train volunteers on all the situations which could arise, and also give some stability and a “familiar face” for our families.

Concierge
This volunteer position will work closely with clients, in tasks such as giving directions; signing out passes, tablets, and video games; and generally making sure that families have what they need. In such a large building, the Concierge volunteers will ensure that everyone feels safe and welcome at Family House. We are looking for dedicated individuals who can volunteer for at least 4 hours per week, with a 6 month commitment.

Family Meals
We are excited to expand our Family Dinner program to serve dinners 7 nights a week for all 80 families! Volunteer groups can bring pre-made meals to Family House, or bring groceries and cook the meal on site. This is an excellent way to get to know families, and strengthen the Family House community. The meal program is great way to make a big impact with a single visit. Groups can come just one time, or can schedule a regular meal that is weekly, monthly, or quarterly.  Later in the year, we will look to expand the program to regular breakfast meals as well.

Food Drives
Community food drives are a key supplement to families who are able to cook at Family House.  We are always in need of non-perishable shelf-stable (non-refrigerated) food items including: canned food, rice, mac and cheese, top ramen, sugar, flour, salt, pepper, granola bars, breakfast bars, juice boxes, and kids snacks. A food drive is a great way to get your school, church, or community group involved with Family House!

Need more ideas? Contact Director of Volunteer Programs Karen Banks at kbanks@familyhouseinc.org or (415) 514-6663 for more information or to sign up for a new volunteer shift at the Nancy and Stephen Grand Family House at Mission Bay.

Donate a Vehicle

As the New Year approaches, don’t miss your chance to donate your car, truck or other vehicle to the Family House vehicle donation program. Your resolution of purchasing that new car you have been waiting can finally come true. The tax benefit alone will be worth it, and the proceeds will go towards helping families of kids with life-threatening illnesses at Family House.
  
Start the New Year off right. Donating is easy.  Call us at 1-888-543-7731 or donate online at http://www.familyhouseinc-cardonations.org, and we’ll take care of the rest. Donate today! 

5 Tips for Supporting the Caregiver in your Life

“5 Tips for Supporting the Caregiver in your Life”
by Sona Mehring, the founder of CaringBridge

1 Stronger Together; Build a Support Team. Well-meaning friends and relatives may say: “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle.” But that doesn’t mean you have to handle it alone. Caregiving can be relentless, exhausting and overwhelming. For family caregivers like myself, there can be a sense of loneliness and isolation, which can affect your overall health and well-being. As a friend of a family caregiver, take the first step of building a short list of close family or friends who are able to help in anyway. 

2. Let It Go. How can you encourage caregivers to pace themselves to remain emotionally and physically strong? What helped me “let go” was a family member who took that short list from Step 1 and divvyed up daily tasks and errands by creating a schedule. Loved ones consistently delivered meals, purchased groceries, helped with yard and house work, attended doctor’s appointments, and much more. I found it helpful to ask friends and to use some of the many resources available online to help navigate the complexities of insurance, social services, medication and financial management.

3. Step Away and Find Humor. Regardless of how strong and positive caregivers try to be, daily life involves sadness and suffering. Friends would encourage me to step away and find the humor in life’s struggles. Whether it was time spent with a group of friends or watching a funny TV show or movie. Laughter can truly be the best medicine. Laughter can also help: reduce pain, drop levels of stress hormones, and release endorphins which can bring positive changes to your mindset.

4. Take Focus Off the Physical. Remind the caregiver to focus on more than just physical care. A typical day is focused on physical needs and limitations, which can be degrading and frustrating for both the loved one and caregiver. I connected with my mother (the patient) by making our time together as enjoyable as possible. This could be anything from sharing stories, trying a new hobby or finding a new favorite TV show to watch. Caring for my mother was one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life, but it was also the hardest.

5. Share with Those Who Care. Encourage caregivers to openly share and communicate hopes and fears, joys and sorrows, and everything in between. Putting words around the things you’re experiencing and feeling will not be easy, but it will be cathartic. Even if you don’t consider yourself a writer, take a little time each week to record your feelings in a journal or through a CaringBridge website. I started my mother’s CaringBridge website when she was first diagnosed in 1998 and again in 2001 when she was stricken with liver cancer. The advantage to capturing your story in this way is the ability to garner strength and support from those who love you and want to help. I also have a permanent record of my time with my mother that captured my thoughts and feelings, but also the love people had for my her.

Meet Quincy

Meet Quincy, a Family House client and CONQUEROR OF CANCER!

Without Family House, Quincy's family would have had no place to stay for months when she needed intensive outpatient chemotherapy. Without Family House, Quincy's mom would not have felt the loving arms of a "family" that knows what it's like to have a child with cancer. Without Family House, Quincy would be an isolated, sick little girl without the companionship of new friends she has made staying here. Without Family House, Quincy might not have beaten cancer. Congratulations Q on your first day of kindergarten this year, and cheers to many, MANY milestones in your future!

Donate today to help kids like Quincy beat cancer: http://familyhouseinc.org/happyholidays2015

Be Part of a Movement

It’s #GivingTuesday - be part of a movement - make a difference in the life of a child with cancer today!

Family House is on the brink of its greatest growth in our 35-year history, and we need your help today to make sure our ability to house more families is successful!

The new Nancy and Stephen Grand Family House in Mission Bay will open on March 2, 2016 to house 80 families per night, more than double our current capacity. To ensure that families can be as close to the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital as possible, we must raise the funds to run the new house, and we can only do that with your support. 

Without your support of the Grand Family House, our families would sleep in their cars or hospital waiting rooms for days and weeks at a time.

Please join us in keeping families together by providing care, courage, and a comforting “home away from home” completely free of charge. It’s the best holiday gift you can give.

Donate now: https://familyhouse.ejoinme.org/happyholidays2015

Goodbye Greg Mora, Director of Volunteer Programs

Dear Family House Community,

As this is my last year working at Family House, I took a moment to reflect on the time I’ve spent here. My history with Family House began when a dear friend, who was a Weekend Manager at the time, told me about Family House when we were having classes together at San Francisco State University in 2006. She told me Family House was a very special organization I would like to be a part of. As she was moving to Paris, she suggested for me to apply for her part-time positon. Since I already had a hospitality background, I decided to give it a try. It was Paul Goold and Kent Smith who gave the tour and interview. I was amazed at the broad population of people Family House helped and the distances they traveled. Family House was welcoming, warm, and clean. The families knew Paul and Kent intimately like they were part of the family themselves. When they offered me the position I didn’t think twice to say, “YES.”

I began working as a Weekend Manager - giving orientations to families, working with the social workers at UCSF, managing room turnover, as well as being on-call for the families one weekend a month. The more I people I met, the more I wanted to be at Family House. It was such a special place where families were able to get the help they needed, no matter what it might be. In the process, I had the pleasure of meeting CEO Alexandra Morgan, when she stopped by on the weekends. As you could imagine, she and I got along right off the bat! She would tell me, “Greg! We need to keep you somehow.” Soon after, in 2008, Debbie Bosetti called to offer me the job of Volunteer Coordinator. I couldn’t believe I was given the chance to be a Family House full-time.  

Since then, I have had the pleasure of being the conduit between the communities who want to help and our families who need it the most. I have been able to create programming that nurtures a supportive and welcoming environment for all the families who stay with us.

Thank you to all our corporate partners, community leaders, local students, and past families who have done everything possible to ensure that families at Family House feel supported and cared for. 

After 9 years of being a part of this wonderful organization, I have made the decision to move on and establish roots for my future family in Costa Rica. Being of Costa Rican decent, I’ve spent most of my life traveling to Costa Rica to visit my family who still live there. I have always dreamt of living there and seeing them on a regular basis. My wife and I decided to move there for a while to live, work, and buy a home that we can come back to with our future family one day.

In the 13 years I have spent in San Francisco, I’ve created a community I am truly grateful for. In that time, the most meaningful community I have been a part of is the one a Family House. Thank you for all the love and encouragement you have given me throughout the years. I am honored to have been a part of an organization that strives for nothing but the best for all the families it serves.

I am pleased to announce that Karen Banks will be taking my place as Director of Volunteer Programs. Throughout the time I have worked with her  in our Volunteer Program, Karen has shown an abundance of compassion and hard work. I am confident that Family House’s Volunteer Program will continue to grow and succeed under Karen’s leadership.

With love and admiration for the community that has helped us throughout the years, thank you.

Greg Mora  

To learn about volunteering at Family House, visit http://www.familyhouseinc.org/volunteer.html

Rockstar Volunteer: Kendall Parks

As a student at the University of San Francisco, Kendall Parks class has a set number of service hours to be completed at a local nonprofit. She is one of six Psychology Practicum students from USF volunteering this fall at Family House.  This semester, Kendall has been volunteering in the Family House business office helping with much needed data cleanup, as well as sending out thank you letters to our wonderful donors, and helping with the Family House photo archive project.

Kendall has many years of experience giving back to the community.  She volunteered at Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on the neurology floor where she read, talked, and delivered items to patients. She also has tutored middle and high school students in science, math, and basic Spanish for the Upward Bound program.


In her free time, Kendall likes to do yoga, reads, and is interested in classical dance. On behalf of the families and staff, we say THANK YOU to Kendall for all that she offers and for her help in making Family House a better place.

Learn more about volunteering at Family House at http://www.familyhouseinc.org/volunteer.html

Family House Secret Santa Program

For over 10 years, the Family House Secret Santa program has provided presents during the holidays to dozens of families. Your gift of new clothes, toys, and other wish list items helps to ease the financial burden that many families experience with a seriously ill child. You can provide a wonderful holiday experience that would not happen without your support.

Meg Nibbi and her family have been involved with Family House since 2002, when “we fell in love with the good work that you do. Originally, we became Secret Santa donors because [CEO] Alexandra Morgan asked us to (and we do anything Alexandra asks us to), but it’s been a blessing to us!”

When asked what is the best part about about being a Secret Santa, Meg replied, “Doing it with our kids!  Having it being a family moment out in the stores buying things not for each other, but for folks who have very little.  We hope that the things that we buy them are making a difference in their Christmas, bringing a little joy in a time when they are under so much stress.”

Why would you encourage others to sign up?  “Because Family House families need them.”

Thank you to all the past Secret Santa donors! Interested in joining the program? Email Alison Blom at ablom@familyhouseinc.org for more information!

Self-Care: Questions to Ask Before Giving Up

November is National Family Caregivers Month! Don't forget to take care of YOURSELF, too!

Family House Family Stories: Sarah's Story

Watch the latest Family House Family Stories Video: Sarah’s Story, and learn how you can help cancer fighters like Sarah: http://www.familyhouseinc.org/donate.html

Nancy and Stephen Grand Family House Construction Time Lapse

Watch the latest Time Lapse video of the construction of the Nancy and Stephen Grand Family House! Learn more about the project at http://www.familyhouseinc.org/mission-bay.html

Nancy and Stephen Grand Family House Construction Update

Learn more about the Nancy and Stephen Grand Family House at http://www.familyhouseinc.org/mission-bay.html

4 Things to Know about Childhood Cancer

Family House Family Stories: Jenny & Damon

Watch Family House Family Stories: Jenny & Damon - the story of a family with a high-risk pregnancy who stayed at Family House for several months. Learn more about what we do: http://www.familyhouseinc.org/about-us.html

Remembering Violet Banta

“Hello, Darling!”

The “Queen of the Inner Sunset,” Violet Banta was everywhere, it seemed. Over the last 3-4 years, Violet made it her personal mission to “tell one person every day about Family House - and to get them to donate,” and wow, did she succeed! Thanks to Violet, Family House has received countless in-kind donations - everything from cheese to granola bars to items for auctioning at fundraising events, and so much more.

Jon Hodo, Resident Manager of the Family House 10th Avenue location, wrote this poem, which he shared at her memorial service:

A Violet blew through my window one day smiling and waving looking to say hey

She had the kindest soul, and the biggest heart.
Her love for all was truly off the charts.

We've seen you laugh, we've watched you cry
I'll miss the days where we chat to say hi

Even though you've left, you're never forgotten
I can see you smilin' while I'm down here sobbing

So here's plenty of love that I'm sending your way
Until we cross paths once again someday

She always had a smile and a kind word for those she would meet, and it was important to her to get to know everyone in her community. She was 88 years young, but with the energy and enthusiasm of a woman far younger. We love you, Violet, and will all remember you fondly!

 

Little Hero at UCSF by Wednesday Kirven

Last week I had the opportunity to go with my sister and her family to San Francisco for what has become routine to them and their son, Camden, undergoing treatment for retinoblastoma, a cancer of the retinal eye tissue. He was four months old when diagnosed and this trip to UCSF would be number 25 for them in the last 19 months. My sister, January, and her husband, Steven, have three beautiful children that I consider partly mine because they let me. Camden’s oldest sister Trisha, is 19, his other sister Taylor, is 7, and Camden turns 2 today! I wanted to go with them on this trip because of all the times they had been I had never been able to go and I wanted to see what it was like. I wanted to see the hospital that they frequented so regularly and the “Family House” in which they stayed each time they went. I wanted to be able to visualize it all when she called me every month with a report after their trip. But what I saw was so much more than that.

I saw the long drive. I saw the expensive gas fill ups. I saw the city through the car windows on the way to appointments and sitting in traffic. I even saw friends the night we got there, which was fun for everyone. I saw Family House, a hostel-like home where families coming into the city regularly to treat their sick children can stay for free. I saw the kindness of strangers who had donated food, clothes, diapers, and toiletries to the occupants of Family House. I saw the hospital and multiple waiting rooms. I saw other children in the waiting rooms missing limbs and hair but not missing early morning smiles when they witnessed the absolute cuteness of the little ones with us. I saw the nurses and the doctors and halls that you pace to occupy small children that have a hard time waiting for doctors who are running an hour behind schedule. I saw the gift shop that you pretend is a giant mall with hundreds of interesting things to point to or pick up and possibly use to distract them for just a few more minutes. I saw the hospital cafeteria, where you sit and try to eat something because you really are very hungry after waiting all morning (because if the baby can’t eat before his appointment, it’s not really fair for anyone else to eat in front of him) but that you can’t really stomach because you’re nervous for what’s happening with the child who is so amazing behind “hospital personnel only” doors. I saw an incredibly brave mother and a courageous father who did not know what they could do until they had to do it. I saw an adoring and patient sister who is supportive and nurturing while still confused by all of the adult and medicinal vocabulary and who is still coming to grips with not being the baby of the family and him always getting more attention from everyone else, but being a “sick baby” getting pretty much all of it from visitors and strangers. I saw the anxiety of an oldest sister and other family members at home coming through on phone calls and texts awaiting any news. I saw the pride of a little girl who lost her two front teeth in one day and the wheels of her head turning as she imagined what the tooth fairy might leave for her. I saw the hope that brightly illuminates this otherwise would be dark community of families that are all fighting for the lives and health and happiness of their beautiful children. I saw a hero of a little boy who is too familiar with things done to his body regularly that children should not be so familiar with.

Since diagnosis it has been about 19 months and has included: 19 Exams Under Anesthesia, 1 broviac surgery, 4 rounds of systemic chemo, 3 IntraArterial Chemo Therapy Surgeries, 28 times under anesthesia, 29 nights in the hospital, 25 trips to UCSF, 5 Valley Children’s Hospital ER visits, 1 ambulance ride, 16 IVs, 28 shots, 1 emergency broviac removal surgery, 9 platelets transfusions, 3 red blood transfusions, 4 MRIs, and 38 blood draws/labs. We have all been hoping and praying that through each of his treatments he would come out with as little damage done to his precious body as possible and that in the end the tumors would shrink and he might not only survive but that he would be able to see! Today was his 2nd birthday! Birthdays mark milestones in every child’s life but this feels more exciting! When he was first diagnosed, the doctors kept talking about how things might change and even be more promising when he turned two and at the time it seemed SO far away. Now it’s here! He is growing and happy and chatty and LOOKS otherwise healthy as he discovers the world through his thick round glasses (that I think make him even cuter but I might be biased). And through it all we keep reminding ourselves of how happy we are that the tumors haven’t been as aggressive these last few visits and that we don’t know exactly how much but we know HE CAN SEE! Praise God! But what he doesn’t know is what WE can see because of him. And for that, I am forever changed and especially grateful. Happy Birthday little man! You are SO loved!

Read more about Family House heroes at http://www.familyhouseinc.org/family-stories.html

Family House Family Stories: Brian Beating Cancer

Watch the latest Family House Family Stories video - Brian Beating Cancer

Learn more about how you can help kids like Brian defeat cancer:
http://www.familyhouseinc.org/donate.html

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month!

 

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Help kids battling cancer in San Francisco - donate today: http://familyhouseinc.org/donate.html
 

One Stitch at a Time

Nona Walton lives in Novato, but her heart is in San Francisco.

“My sister stayed at Family House in the late 1980’s when her daughter was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor at UCSF. I saw how well-cared-for they were, and wanted to find my own way to give back to those less fortunate.” In honor of her niece, Nona has sewn countless beautiful quilts for 18 years and donated them to children’s cancer organizations, including Family House, the San Francisco Ronald McDonald House, and The Doll Project at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford.

“It takes about 15-20 hours to make each quilt, and I just love it. I have been sewing since I was nine years old - my sister and I got a $10 a month clothing allowance (mind you that was in the late 50's!) but my mom said if we made our clothes, she would pay for everything. That's when my passion began. I have done many other crafts (beading, crochet, knitting, weaving), but my main hobby is sewing. It’s what I like to do to relax when I come home from work.”

During the day, Nona works in the finance department of a retirement community in Marin County. She loves to spend time her son and his family in San Francisco; she is part of a hiking group; volunteers at the Marin Food Bank; gardens; does yoga; and of course, loves to play with her dog. She’s donated nearly 70 quilts to Family House families, and each one represents comfort and caring in the special way that only a blanket made with love can. “It’s so important so share with families in need, and I just want to ‘give back’ to kids who are not as fortunate as my two sons were.”

Thank you, Nona, for sharing your talents and love with our families!

Learn more about how you can get involved with Family House: http://www.familyhouseinc.org/volunteer.html

4Paws Therapy Dogs at Family House

4Paws Therapy Dogs at Family House by Misty Moonlight

“I’m Misty Moonlight, one of four 4PAWS therapy dogs that visit Family House. The others are Jonny Jusice, Ollie, and Fozzy.

“We dogs meet a wide range of Family House residents, from 4 year olds to young adults, and all seem very upbeat. I don’t know if it’s the result of the atmosphere at Family House, or the presence of us cheerful dogs - probably some of each! During a recent visit, I met a boy about 7 years old and his younger sister. They didn’t have pets at home, so I was a novelty for them. The boy liked me right away, but his little sister was afraid and wouldn’t even touch me! After a while, James (my person) showed the girl how to use the brush so that she could join her brother, without touching me. Soon, she was petting me just like her brother. When we were getting ready to leave, she gave me a hug! James asked her if she would like to have a dog of her own at home. She thought about it, and said, ‘No, a cat.’ Maybe I should learn to purr!

“Another one of my favorite activities is visiting the campers at Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind. A young lady who was a member of the staff pointed at the Family House patch on my 4PAWS vest and asked about it. She said that she had spent so much time there during treatments that she felt like that’s where she grew up. She is now a ‘Guardian Angel,’ helping the blind campers safely enjoy all of the activities available to them. Another successful alumni with fond memories of Family House.

“Enjoy the sunshine, but pray for rain,

-Misty Moonlight”

Learn more about 4PAWS Therapy Dogs (4pawscenter.org), or about volunteering at Family House (familyhouseinc.org/volunteer.html)

Nancy and Stephen Grand Family House Time Lapse Video

Watch the latest time lapse construction video for the Nancy and Stephen Grand Family House at Mission Bay!  Learn more about the project at http://www.familyhouseinc.org/mission-bay.html

Nickels for Non-Profits

Family House is the beneficiary of the Nickels for Non-Profits program at the Haight Street Whole Foods! Bring your reusable shopping bag and a donation will be made to Family House! Runs through September 27th, so there’s lots of time to make a big impact!

Click here to learn about other ways to make a donation to Family House at no cost to you: http://www.familyhouseinc.org/donate.html

International Assistance Dog Week

In honor of International Assistance Dog Week (August 2-8, 2015), we’d like to give a shout out to all of our fuzzy four-footed friends who bring joy to Family House. All together now - WOOF!

Learn more about volunteering at Family House at http://www.familyhouseinc.org/volunteer.html

Rockstar Volunteer: Anna Vidovszky

Volunteer Leaders during the summer semester take on responsibilities above and beyond the duties of the Leaders in the Fall/Spring semesters.  They supervise weeknight Family Dinner nights hosted by various community groups, they manage the Summer High School Volunteer Program (with up to 15 students at one time), and also work summer fundraising events that provide additional income to Family House.

A very special Volunteer Leader this summer is  Anna Vidovszky. 
She has gotten to know Family House very well by helping in almost every department of Family House.  She has been a key volunteer this summer - helping to manage over 15 corporate groups!  With each group,  Anna explains the Family House mission, discusses the day’s volunteer project, and shows the volunteers where all the supplies are.

Anna has been a huge help to the Volunteer Program, as well as to other staff members by helping out with office projects.

Not only does Anna volunteer at Family House, but she also has volunteered for the CCHAT center in Sacramento, and the Emotion, Health, and Psychophysiology Lab at UCSF in the past.  She is currently volunteering as a Research Assistant in the Neurology Department at UCSF.

When Anna has a spare moment, she loves reading, writing, cooking, traveling, playing piano, and horseback riding.  Anna has gotten to know a lot of the volunteers and families, and is a huge help to the Volunteer Program. Thank you Anna for being amazing! Family House wouldn’t be the same without you!

Summer Volunteering

Skip the beach one day this summer and spend a day warming your heart and soul by volunteering at Family House!

There are so many easy ways for families, community groups, and corporate teams to help our community of families going through a medical crisis. Now is a great time to introduce Family House to a friend or find out if your company has volunteer matching hours.

Find the volunteer project that suits your schedule best: spend a few hours rolling up your sleeves on maintenance projects at the 10th Avenue House; drop by our office with gas cards or gift cards for families; organize a garage sale or lemonade stand to raise money; or plan to host a family dinner; volunteer opportunities can fit into any busy summer schedule.

Family House is for everyone, and summer is a great time to get involved. Reach out to Greg Mora (gmora@familyhouseinc.org) or Karen Banks (kbanks@familyhouseinc.org) at (415) 514-6663 to learn more. Community involvement is the bedrock for creating a strong network of support for all of our families in need. We hope to hear from you soon!

http://www.familyhouseinc.org/volunteer.html

European Sleepworks Donates to Family House

Thank you to the extreme generosity of European Sleepworks - they’re donating ALL of the beds for the Nancy and Stephen Grand Family House!

https://sleepworks.com/blog/2015/06/17/sleep-works-delivers-great-beds-for-a-great-cause/

Healthcare Hospitality Week

Family House is proud to celebrate Healthcare Hospitality Week, celebrating our families and Healthcare Hospitality Houses nationwide!

Interview with Roger Swanson

Watch the latest video about the Nancy & Stephen Grand Family House project - an interview with Family House Board Member Roger Swanson

Staff Spotlight: Tyler Scurr

Meet Tyler Scurr, the "newest" Family House staff member!

How did you come to be at Family House?
In 2010, I was home from college for the summer and was looking for a job. I knew about Family House through my mom, Kim Scurr, who is a Family House Board Member and Executive Director of the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. Family House was looking for a summer intern, so I interviewed with CEO Alexandra Morgan, and then spent the summer at Family House. I worked on and off since then, and around March of 2014, I joined the regular Weekend Manager staff. I’ve been working at Family House an average of 2 weekends a month (plus holidays!) since then.

How has Family House changed since you first started?We have more new people on staff than before, and the scope of the organization was a lot smaller. Of course, the fact that there’s a new building going up in Mission Bay is really cool and exciting. That’s the main thing that’s changed - we’re getting bigger - but we’re providing the same kind and quality of service that we have since I started here.

What are some of your favorite Family House memories?
There were 4 families staying at once that all had little kids, around 6 or 7, and every day that I came in, I got to play with the kids all day. They needed a lot of attention, but I was happy to give it to them.

I also got pretty close to one of the dads, Daniel, because he and his family were staying with us for a while. He and I made a bet, and I lost, and he got to shave my head.

Getting to know the families is the best part of my job.

Click here to learn about how you can get involved at Family House.

Rockstar Volunteer: Jenn Acierto

“The greatest gift you can give is to make someone feel beautiful inside and out.” This is what Jenn Acierto recognizes when she volunteers at Family House each month, providing haircuts to families. Jenn heard about Family House through years of styling the hair of Family House CEO, Alexandra Morgan.

With a child in and out of the hospital, there is no time for parents to take care of personal needs beyond the basics, including the simple act of getting a haircut.  Jenn brings the salon to Family House so parents can take a few minutes to focus on themselves, to feel beautiful, before going back to the challenging reality of being a full-time caretaker. Salon-quality haircuts for the little ones and mom and dad makes them feel loved and cared for - especially when some families wouldn’t even be able to afford such luxuries back home.

Jenn Acierto is a  San Francisco native, who began her artistic career as a makeup artist for Bobbi Brown. She has a natural eye for providing her clients with the perfect look to match their lifestyle.  On behalf of the families and staff, we say THANK YOU to Jenn for all that she offers and for her help in making Family House a better place.

Learn more about volunteering at Family House at www.familyhouseinc.org/volunteer.html

Family House Family Stories: Courageous Kora

Watch the latest Family House Family Stories video: Courageous Kora

Behind the Scenes of Family House Social Media

by Karen Banks,  Human Resource & Volunteer Manager

Are you one of the over 3,500 followers that interacts with the Family House Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages? Do you ever wonder who is on the other end liking your comments, sharing photos and writing a response to you?

Well, it is none other than our Marketing Manager, Joey Kotfica! Joey has been working for Family House for over 2 years, and she manages all electronic outreach for Family House, including the Family House website.

Joey works with a handful of extremely talented designers to create all of the print marketing materials for our fundraising events,  annual holiday cards, the annual report, blog posts, and more - and is part of our excellent Development team, raising funds for the organization.

She has the privilege of interviewing families for the Family House Family Stories videos that are shared on our website and Facebook.  Each family’s story is unique, and Joey discovers the perfect way to capture each one to share with the Family House community.

So next time you get a “like” or a comment from the Family House Facebook, just know that Joey Kotfica is behind the scenes making sure you know how much you mean to Family House!

Be sure to follow us wherever you are on the web:

http://www.facebook.com/FamilyHouseSanFrancisco

http://twitter.com/familyhousesf

http://instagram.com/familyhousesf

http://www.familyhouseinc.blogspot.com/

http://familyhouseinc.tumblr.com/

3rd Annual Family House YPAC Brewtastic Bash

We kicked off summer early this year at the 3rd Annual Family House YPAC’s Brewtastic Bash at Beatbox this past Saturday. Thanks to all the wonderful home brewers, including the big winner of both Best Beer & People’s Choice - Euphemia Ales; plus New Normal, Comrades Brewing Co., and Gone Boating Brewing - you quenched our thirst deliciously!

Check out all the photos from this fun fundraising event on Facebook!