Family House is very excited with our new partnership with Coach Art - this program is great in so many ways - it offers an ongoing experience for talented volunteers who want to help sick kids and their siblings in recreational activities. This is an opportunity to work with a child over a long period of time, rather than a one-time volunteer experience. Coach Art gives volunteer teachers an opportunity to see their students grow and thrive, and to see how they are really impacting the students' lives. On the flip side, it gives students a regular opportunity to do something creative that interests them; it's dedicated attention, and something to look forward to each week.
We love that Coach Art includes siblings, too, since the whole family is affected by one child's illnesses. For longer stays at Family House, families are away from home for months at a time. Kids are pulled away from their regular community of school and friends (and teams and art and music classes), and may not have this kind of outlet available to them through Child Life Services at the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital. Child Life provides a wonderful complement of services to patient families, but they simply can't recreate all the comforts of home.
Thank you, Coach Art Mentors for helping to bring a bit of home to Family House kids!
http://www.coachart.org
Get involved with Family House! Learn more at http://www.familyhouseinc.org/volunteer.html
