Showing posts with label comfort. Show all posts
Showing posts with label comfort. Show all posts

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Holiday Giving at Family House

If you are looking for a ways to make families smile during the holiday season, consider donating filled holiday stockings to Family House. Each stocking can include a small gift, holiday sweets, and a note wishing holiday cheer. For gift ideas, visit our wishlist at familyhouseinc.org/amazonsmile.

Please send donations to "Santa" at Family House, 540 Mission Bay Blvd., North, San Francisco, CA 94158.

If you have questions about the program, please contact Karen Banks at kbanks@familyhouseinc.org or (415) 502-5659. All donations are tax deductible (Tax ID 94-2722663).

Thank you for helping to make the holidays bright for children in need!

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Feelings Cards

Sometimes, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, it can be hard to use your mental energy to help resolve your feelings. We created a set of “feelings cards” that are in every guest room at Family House. They may not fix everything, but sometimes a simple reminder can be enough to help you on a path to feeling better.

One mom asked if we have any cards for when you go home... Family Services Coordinator Elan Slavin came up with a few ideas that someone can use from anywhere!

I’m Feeling Lonely
You Can…

- Call or text a friend… “just to say hi!”

- Reach out to your trusted support network
- Ask for a hug






I’m Feeling Creative
You Can…

- Gather a few art supplies (even a piece of paper and a pen will do), walk outside, and find inspiration in nature around you

- Do a five minute writing exercise:
    - Define Love
    - Normal is…
    - List 5 things you expect in a good friend
    - List 3 things you DIDN’T do this weekend
    - Name one food you will never give up

I’m Feeling Frustrated
You Can…

- Take 3 deep, slow breadths and count to 10

- Reach out to someone you trust, who is a good listener - and vent!

- Create a “pros and cons” list of what’s frustrating you

- Visualize your HAPPY PLACE

I’m Feeling Happy
You Can…

- Start a Gratitude journal!

- Start by listing the top 3 things in your life to be grateful for

- Play! Go outside & enjoy some fresh air

- Find some “me” time - do what you love to do most

- Pay it Forward - do one thing kind for someone else



Have more ideas? We’d love to hear them!

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Self-Care Kit


Self-Care Kit
When you’re going through a stressful time, it can be helpful to have care and comfort items at the ready, so you don’t have to go far to find some relief. Here are some suggestions for what might go into a self-care kit for yourself or someone you love:


Tissues
Mop up some tears or keep your germs to yourself – it’s the worst to need a tissue and not have one handy. Bonus: sharing with someone else who really needs one.

Hand Sanitizer
Especially during cold-and-flu season, it’s a must to have hand sanitizer available. If you’re immune-compromised, the last thing you need is to be exposed to other people’s germs. And if you’re sick, you don’t want to spread them around.

Lotion
Lots of hand washing, wintry weather, and even many medicines can leave your skin dry. Keep a small bottle of lotion handy (get it? Handy?) for when you need it.

 Snacks
Sometimes things feel overwhelming when you really just need a little food. Keep healthy, non-perishable snacks close by, such as almonds, crackers, or a peanut butter packet. Maybe keep a tea bag or some instant hot chocolate, too, for when you need something warm and soothing.

Inspirational Quotes
Keep some wise words handy, or ask your friends to write you some love notes to read when you’re feeling down.

Stuffed Animal or Comfort Item
It doesn’t matter how old you are, sometimes something soft and cuddly can make a world of difference. Whether it’s a stuffed animal, a soft blanket, or your favorite hoodie – reaching for a familiar comfort can help you get through a tough moment.

Headphones
Music is one of the most therapeutic things out there, because you can find the groove that best fits your mood. Keep a pair of headphones handy for when you need to tune out the outside world.

A Notebook
Expressing your thoughts and feelings on paper can be a huge relief! Or, it can be very helpful to write things down so you don’t forget – what the doctor said, your next appointment, or even your shopping list.

Coloring Book
Adult coloring books are all the rage, and we remember why we loved to color as kids! If you haven’t tried it lately, we highly recommend it.

Manicure Kit
Need some down time? Take a few minutes to paint your finger or toenails. Not only will you feel a little prettier, but it’ll be a good distraction and excuse to chill out while you wait for the polish to dry.

Fuzzy Socks
Pick up some cute socks to wear instead of the ugly ones they give you at the hospital. Why not add some fun flair to your outfit?

Favorite Movies
If you don’t know where to start for some good pick-me-up screen time, ask around. Chances are, your friends can recommend a movie or TV series that will get you smiling.

Pictures
Keep your favorite people and places close at hand with some of your favorite photos! Tip: If you can keep them in your phone’s photo library, you won’t have to worry about a wifi connection to see your favorite faces.


What's in your comfort kit?




Monday, October 2, 2017

Canine Companions for Independence Volunteers

Canine Companions for Independence is a nonprofit that raises and trains service dogs to accompany individuals who need them. Part of that training is a socialization process for the puppies, which includes exposing them to many different environments, including meeting new people and being in large crowds. CCI volunteers and their puppies have been volunteering at Family House for several months, and volunteer Scott Hartman shared his story with us:


I am a symphony musician and a dog lover!  I do a lot of volunteer work mainly with non-profit musical and educational organizations. The first few weeks of raising a CCI puppy can be tough, as an 8 week old puppy is a baby and you lose a lot of sleep at first, but I love it. You make a lot of friends and see a lot of strangers smiling when you walk around with a dog. Imagine walking around with a cute puppy with a cape!

Our first puppy was Wakari, eight weeks old - raising her was incredible! I've had dogs for decades, but never one so trainable, so gentle. She went everywhere with us - museums, nice restaurants, the emergency room, every trip we went on, and to many Giants games. After she graduated from the CCI program, she was sent to meet her new, permanent owner, through a children’s hospital in Washington state.

Clarence III was our next puppy - a huge puppy with the sweetest spirit. At Clarence’s graduation ceremony, we met his future family, which included a 15-year-old boy with autism and Down Syndrome who had never had a friend. Whatever fun I’d had with Clarence was nothing compared to what he was going to do for my new friend Riley!

At first, I thought being a CCI volunteer Puppy Raiser was all about me and the joy I got from having a puppy (which is considerable), but after seeing how the puppies improve people’s lives, I realize that I am a tiny part of it. The real joy is realizing how much happiness and freedom the puppies give other people. The rewards greatly outweigh the time and effort put into it, and the time and efforts are joy in themselves.

Canine Companions for Independence is a great organization - every contact and experience we have had with CCI has been top notch, from the people at their incredible facility in Santa Rosa to the trainer we work with locally. There is a great deal of help and support from other raisers and the CCI community. I spent only a few hours at Family House but I could tell from the minute I walked in that it was full of caring individuals and the atmosphere was professional but very human and warm.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Family Stories: Tauriel’s Family

Family House Family Stories: Sharing the brave and inspiring stories of families of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. This story features Tauriel G and her family, from Whiteriver, Arizona - they  have been staying at Family House in San Francisco for over a year while Tauriel undergoes treatment at the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital. Hear how Family House helped keep their family together in a time of crisis.


Monday, November 28, 2016

Give Dignity this Holiday Season

Family House is the only home Joseph has ever known. He has been staying at Family House since he was weeks old, and he will be turning 4 years old this February.

Joseph stays at Family House with his mother, Nina, and his two teenage sisters, Emily and Denise, while his father Daniel works in LA. Daniel comes to SF as often as he can.









Joseph and his family have come to know our Hospitality Services team like family, and other children staying at Family House, like Edrey, as good friends.





Joseph continues to be in and out of the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital for treatments related to Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome, but his prognosis is excellent.







Give Dignity to a Family House family. Donate today: familyhouseinc.org/GivingTuesday