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!

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!

Rockstar Volunteers: Vagaboom

Have you ever tried to stop and smell the flowers?

Our families and staff certainly have with the help from Amanda, a specialist in aromatherapy and botanical remedies made from natural ingredients you would find in the home.

Amanda came to Family House from a nonprofit called Vagaboom whose mission is to supplement diminished arts and physical education in schools, community centers, and women’s shelters.

We were lucky enough to have Vagaboom artist and therapist Amanda working with Family House throughout February. She taught patients, families, and even staff how to stop and relax through art and creative activities using your sense of smell to guide you through the process.

“It’s a smelly world out there,” said Amanda, "we should take the time to stop and smell something that we enjoy, that calms, and heals." Families got to make their own body scrubs, perfumed oils, and facial masks to take with them wherever they go.

Amanda believes that these small things can make our bodies relax, and can be incorporated in our everyday lives, no matter how hectic things get. We thank Amanda and Vagaboom for their support in making the families’ experience just a little easier at Family House.

A Cancer Survivor Looks Back

What would you do if you found out your 5-year-old had cancer?

In February of 2000, Matt and Mary Ferrick noticed their son was limping, and they did what any parent would do - they brought him to the doctor. Scans revealed that a previously-undetected tumor in his stomach had now spread to his hip. Jay was rushed 100 miles from their home in Ukiah to UCSF to be treated for stage 4 neuroblastoma. Pulled out of kindergarten, he was admitted to the hospital, and his family stayed at Family House on and off for 14 months while he underwent chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and a stem cell transplant.

"One thing I remember about the Family House is that I always looked forward to going.  Especially I remember because there were video games in the downstairs living room, and me and my little brother looked forward to playing video games because we didn't have them at home," recalls Jay, now 19 years old and a healthy sophomore at Chico State.

"Jay is doing very well, he lives a normal life, and is able to do everything that everybody else does.  He's been 12-13 years in remission now.  Of the type of cancer he had, 70% of the kids relapse, but Jay has been healthy since he completed his treatment. It's been a blessing to put it in the rear view mirror," says his father, Matt.

"Family House provided support for the whole family…  [For Jay's younger brother, Thomas,] having a sibling who's getting all the attention - some people really struggle with that, feeling they're in the background…. we've always tried to make them feel equal." Playing Nintendo in the Family House living room was a highlight for both boys. "[Thomas] thought it was a big thrill to go to San Francisco and see his big brother;" at only 3 years old at the time, he couldn't comprehend the seriousness of the situation, Matt recalls.

Jay's oncologist, Dr. Katherine Matthay, says that "Neuroblastoma is a very, very serious cancer that we find only in young children. More than 50% of children already have the cancer spread to their bones and their bone marrow at the time the cancer is detected." At the time of Jay's diagnosis and treatment, fewer than 15% of children survived metastatic neuroblastoma.

Dick and Anne Grace of Grace Family Vineyards are longtime Family House supporters, and have even awarded a grant to Dr. Matthay for cancer research. The targeted radiotherapy treatment that was developed from that grant is now one of the most active treatments for widespread and resistant neuroblastoma.  Dick says, "Annie and I had the extraordinary privilege of walking a portion of Jay's cure path alongside both he and his family, and it was there that we got the opportunity to see the courage and see the commitment and the resolve that he had in navigating this path."

Looking back, Jay hopes that his battle with cancer will be an inspiration to others who are currently undergoing treatment. "When we go to UCSF, we visit '7 Long,' the floor I was on, and I see all the kids there, and I hope that they see how I am, and hope that they can be cured and be a regular kid like me."

We are delighted that the Ferricks continue to be part of the Family House family!

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Click here to learn more about Family House families:
http://www.familyhouseinc.org/family-stories.html

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Why did you get involved with Family House?

We asked some of our Young Professional Advisory Council Member's (YPAC) "Why they decided to get involved with Family House?" There are many great organizations out there and these are just some of the reason's why they chose Family House:

"Since graduating college and ending the community service through my fraternity I wanted to get involved with an organization, but didn’t know where to start. In the fall of 2011 the CFA Society of San Francisco hosted a weekend volunteer event at Family House on 10^th Ave.  After working there, seeing the families, and hearing the history of Family House, I knew this was an organization worth supporting. They provide a necessary assistance that is often overlooked. Being involved with YPAC has been a fulfilling experience. The people involved are a pleasure to work with and provide a noticeable impact to Family House."

-Paul Perrino, YPAC Member

"I became involved with Family House when my friend was receiving cancer treatment at UCSF.  During one of my hospital visits, we ate tacos his mom had cooked at Family House.  No matter where you are, there is always something wonderful about eating a delicious home cooked meal surrounded by family and friends.  I remember leaving the hospital and thinking, "Hospital visits aren't supposed to be fun."  It's amazing what Family House was able to facilitate; a gathering of family and friends, delicious food, and a comforting sense of normalcy.  I wanted to be apart of that.  Shortly after, I started volunteering at Family House."

-Erika Shue, Family Night Chair

"I originally became involved with Family House through my company (Triage Consulting Group) five years ago. Over the years I’ve volunteered at a number of Triage-sponsored fundraisers and activities and have become personally invested in Family House’s mission. I joined YPAC this year because I wanted to have the opportunity to invest more time with the families and be more consistently involved with this incredible organization. I LOVE Family House!"

-Erica Navarro, Membership Chair

Thank you YPAC! Your contribution to Family House is critical in providing a home away from home for families in crisis. Look for future entries from other YPAC member's.

Question: Why did you get involved with Family House?

Get involved with Family House! Learn more at http://www.familyhouseinc.org/volunteer.html

Why I Became Involved with Family House - by Erika Shue

I became involved with Family House when my friend was receiving cancer treatment at UCSF.  During one of my hospital visits, we ate tacos his mom had cooked at Family House. No matter where you are, there is always something wonderful about eating a delicious home cooked meal surrounded by family and friends.  I remember leaving the hospital and thinking, "Hospital visits aren't supposed to be fun."  It's amazing what Family House was able to facilitate; a gathering of family and friends, delicious food, and a comforting sense of normalcy.  I wanted to be a part of that.  Shortly after, I started volunteering at Family House.  

 - Erika Shue

Get involved with Family House! Learn more at http://www.familyhouseinc.org/volunteer.html