User:YpbRep/HavenHouse St. Louis

HavenHouse St. Louis opened its doors on April 1, 2004 in a 25,000 sq. ft. facility with 28 private rooms/baths on the first floor and 5 additional rooms/suites on the second floor. Many nights, HavenHouse serves 100+ people and have a waiting list for rooms. With a nominal lease for the building, 3 years’ startup funding, and a staff experienced in social service work, HavenHouse St. Louis was launched. From the beginning, the program was created in partnership with area hospitals and care providers. More than half of the families served live in rural Missouri or eastern Illinois and the remainder has traveled from all 50 states and 30 foreign countries.

Mission/Short Facts
HavenHouse St. Louis provides the comfort of home and a community of support for families that travel to St. Louis for medical care. HavenHouse St. Louis is committed to providing affordable lodging, care, and support services for families that travel to St. Louis for medical care.

When a family stays at HavenHouse St. Louis, they pay a nominal fee. In return they receive: A nurturing environment with a large room and a private bath, Home-cooked meals, Shuttle three-times daily to local area hospitals, Facility amenities including: computer library, full-size gym, arts and crafts, gross motor, and game room, 19 acre serene campus, Safe, community access, Registration and staff services available 24/7, including access on weekends and holidays, Resource room full of informational literature and books, Family Fun Nights, Spiritual support – local religious connections, Educational support – experienced partnerships with Parkway Schools, Host Families – local families who connect our families to the St. Louis community, helping in a variety of ways (translators if needed), Child care connections – local churches and day care facilities that can extend their support to our families as needed, Counseling and emotional support from community Master level counselors and in-house Master level students from Washington University, St. Louis University, and University of Missouri-St. Louis, Volunteer support - Over 1,000 volunteers annually help as receptionists, greeters, as well as help with building maintenance, family fun nights, host families and more.

HavenHouse St. Louis exists because every person deserves a healthy life, the best medical treatment possible, and an affordable place to stay, even when treatment takes them away from home.

Criteria for Service
HavenHouse St. Louis currently serves families that travel more than 25 miles to receive medical care.

To register as a first-time guest, guests must contact their doctor’s office or the social worker/care coordinator helping their family. HavenHouse must have verification from a doctor, nurse, or social worker for a family to stay for the first time.

Partners
HavenHouse St. Louis is run by a core group of paid, full-time and part-time employees, overseen by a Board of Directors. HavenHouse would not exist however without all of the St. Louis area hospital partners. HavenHouse provides all services for families of patients receiving treatment from a local area hospital. HavenHouse St. Louis hospital partners include, but are not limited to: Shriners Hospital for Children, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, Ranken Jordan Pediatric Hospital, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Barnes Jewish West Hospital, Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St. Luke’s Hospital, and SSM Cardinal Glennon.

Funding
After a generous start-up gift from YouthBridge Community Foundation, HavenHouse St. Louis now relies on the support of individuals and the community. Between special events, annual giving, grants, and corporate support, HavenHouse continues to serve 7,000 individuals annually. HavenHouse St. Louis does not receive state, federal, or United Way funding at this time.

Awards
HavenHouse St. Louis was the 2008 St. Louis Children’s Hospital Community Advocate Award winner.

Memberships/Affiliations
HavenHouse St. Louis is a proud member of the National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses (NAHHH).

HavenHouse St. Louis continues to receive the Wise Seal of Giving from the Better Business Bureau.