When a child comes to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, families are often caught by surprise and have no time to pack essential items. The Center for Families is a physical space within the hospital that offers laundry, showers, coffee, snacks, a resource library, and serves as the business center for families. There are also staff members who provide a sense of community and a shoulder to lean on when the days are overwhelming. The Center allows families to focus solely on the health and safety of their child.
Frequently, people come to the Center stating that their child had been transported to St. Louis Children’s Hospital and they did not pack any clothes, or they had no idea that they would be staying for weeks instead of an overnight visit. The Center provides the families with:
- Clothing items: shirts, socks, and sweatpants
- Laundry needs: detergent and fabric softener sheets
- Toiletries: deodorant, soap, feminine hygiene products, combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand lotion, and hair dryers
- Use of the business center includes iPhone chargers, iPads, and access to a notary
Snacks are available to eat at the Center or to grab when you’re on the go. A worst-kept secret is that the Center offers the best coffee, tea, and hot chocolate–and the occasional celebratory items such as cupcakes, decorated cookies, and s’mores.
The Center strives to have a “home away from home” feel and gives families a comfortable and safe place to decompress from the stressors of being bedside. There is a quiet room that is a refuge away from the noise of monitors and machines. The Center’s focus has been, and will continue to be, to meet families where they are in their health care journey.
Donor support allows St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation to fund 100% of the operational costs, which includes keeping the family room open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to serve our families when they need it the most.
