Volunteer Stories: XO Bakes

We love Becca Jones from XO Bakes! She hosts “Cookies for a Cause” cookie decorating classes at Family House. This airbnb “social impact experience” raises money for Family House and introduces the Family House mission to our community. The class is educational, fun, and delicious! Hear from Becca why she got involved, and what Family House has meant to her.  https://youtu.be/jc87cSo2Kl0

Staff Spotlight: Anna Lark

Name: Anna Lark   

Where did you grow up?
Ceres, CA

Position at Family House:
Hospitality Services Coordinator

Reason for working at Family House:
My family stayed at Family House while my brother went through treatment for AML. I loved Family House and always wanted to give back. I feel really happy working in an environment with people from all over the world who all have amazing stories to tell.

Favorite thing to do in San Francisco: 
I love to draw random people on public transportation.  I love spending days walking through Golden Gate park and stopping at the botanical gardens, the Academy of Sciences and the DeYoung Museum all in one day.

What makes you special?
I often make art for the families who stay at Family House.
       
What’s the story behind the photo?
This is me with one of our clients, Joseph. He put the fire truck on my nose, of course.

Rockstar Volunteer: Malia Pratt

As a junior high student at St. Cecilia School, Malia Pratt has continuously dedicated her time to help the families at Family House. Spearheading weekly arts & crafts activities for kids and parents alike, she has helped lighten the lives of our families. Malia works judiciously, crafting projects on a weekly basis for kids to use their imaginations and create small works of art.   

Malia loves being around people, especially kids, and was inspired to volunteer at Family House from viewing videos on the website. She has devoted nearly 6 months of service to our 10th Ave home, and families have come to look forward to her projects.

In her free time, Malia loves sports, art, piano, and reading.

On behalf of the families and staff, we say THANK YOU to Malia 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

Anna Lark, Family Services Coordinator

Interview with Anna Lark, Family Services Coordinator

How did you come to be at Family House?

I’m originally from the Modesto area, and actually first came to Family House in 2001 when my brother, Joshua, was being treated for cancer. I stayed at the original 50 Irving Street Family House with my parents and siblings.  (Joshua has now been cancer free for 10 years, and he lives in San Francisco, too, after graduating college.)

Years after staying at Family House, I came to San Francisco and attended San Francisco State University, studying Studio Art, Holistic Health, and Art History. I felt “disconnected” from Family House because I hadn’t been back for such a long time, and one day just felt compelled to knock on the door at the 10th Avenue house to ask about volunteer activities (which is kind of funny because I had never stayed at there!).

So that was in 2012 that I started volunteering once or twice a month, hosting arts and crafts activities. I later signed on as a Weekend Manager, and worked regularly in that position through 2013, while I was finishing college. I graduated from SF State in 2014, and decided to stay in the Bay Area after that. I feel like I’m really a “San Francisco girl,” and I attribute that to staying at Family House. I really fell in love with the city, with the people at Family House, the nurses… We were treated with so much love, and had so many amazing opportunities: we went to lots of Giants games - JT Snow (a first baseman from the Giants) would buy out a section for charity at each game; we were treated like movie stars at the Star Wars Episode 3 Premiere (in 2005).

How has Family House changed since you first started?

The staff has expanded by so much, but it’s maintained the same key players - [CEO] Alexandra Morgan, [Director of Finance & Special Events] Jessica Creager, [Director of Operations] Paul Goold…  When I first stayed at Family House, there were only 10 families a night, and now it’s 34 per night, which is incredible. And that’s going to change again to serve even more families, which is unbelievable!  I love the communication amongst all the staff - I’ve never had a job before where everybody claps for each other during a staff meeting. It feels like a team, like a family.

I love the amount of people we can help, and the connections that we build here. The one thing that’s stayed the same is how connected people become here: the families really work to create a family environment, and everyone is so willing to work together to do that. It’s a loving community, which is amazing when you’re going through something so difficult as having a sick child.

What are some of your favorite Family House memories?

[Director of Operations] Paul’s dog Sing! I didn’t like dogs, but I was super fond of Sing (and Paul, of course) - it was a pleasure to have her around. And [former Resident Manager] Kent Smith’s dog, too! One day, Paul and Kent got the dogs little paw mittens, and the two dogs were running around - it was so cute and charming.

I was homeschooled by my mom while we were staying on the third floor at 50 Irving. And it was amazing to be up on there doing arts and crafts volunteering with the kids. I remembered doing homework and writing reports in that room - so many fond memories.

Learn more about Anna and the rest of the Family House staff at http://www.familyhouseinc.org/staff.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