The Network Of Care

TO PROVIDE HELP (SNACK AND MEAL ITEMS) AND HOPE TO FAMILIES IN CRISIS WHEN A CHILD IS SUDDENLY HOSPITALIZED

2021 WINS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTSCELEBRATING OUR 18TH YEAR OF GIVING, THE NETWORK OF CARE CONTINUES THE TRADITION OF PROVIDING HELP,HOPE AND COMFORT TO FAMILIES IN CRISIS SITUATIONS WHEN THEIR CHILD IS SUDDENLY HOSPITALIZED. THESE FAMILIES DO NOT HAVE THE TIME, ENERGY, PRESENCE OF MIND, AND MANY TIMES FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO LOOK AFTER THEIR OWN NEEDS, AND THE NETWORK OF CARE PROVIDES MEAL SUPPORT SO THEY CAN DEVOTE MORE ATTENTION TO THEIR CHILD TO HELP IN THE RECOVERY. SINCE WE BEGAN IN 2004, WE HAVE FED FAMILIES AT SEVERAL LARGE CHILDRENS HOSPITALS, COMMUNITY HOSPITALS AND FAMILY HOUSES THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA. WE CONTINUE TO BE VOLUNTEER-LED WITHOUT A PAID STAFF OR OVERHEARD EXPENSES. OUR PROGRAMS ARE AT NO CHARGE TO THE THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES WE SERVE EACH YEAR. PROGRAM 2004 TO DECEMBER 2021: SINCE WE BEGAN IN 2004, WE HAVE FED OVER 320,000 FAMILIES AT 60 HOSPITALS THROUGHOUT THE STATES OF CALIFORNIA AND COLORADO. YEARLY VOLUME: DUE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC, HOSPITALS PUT A HOLD ON ITEMS BEING DELIVERED TO HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS. HOSPITALS CENSUS WAS LOWER THAN NORMAL, AS YOUNG PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE SHELTERING IN PLACE. THEIR CENSUS SLOWLY CAME BACK UP AGAIN, HOWEVER NOT TO HISTORIC LEVELS. IN 2021, WE FED ALMOST 14,000 FAMILIES WITH THE GIFT OF FOOD. VOLUNTEERS: THE SNACK AND MEAL BAGS ARE ASSEMBLED BY 122 SPECIAL EDUCATION YOUNG ADULTS ALONG WITH THEIR TEACHERS AT THREE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS AS PART OF THER SCHOOL CURRICULUM. THE STUDENT INTERNS VOLUNTEER EACH WEEK DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND SUMMER SCHOOL, WHERE THEY LEARN VOCATIONAL SKILLS. THEIR TASKS INCLUDE FOLDING FLYERS, SORTING FOOD, ASSEMBLE/INSERT FOOD ITEMS INTO THE BAGS, INVENTORY OF FOOD, PREPARING THE BAGS TO BE SHIPPED TO HOSPITALS AND DELIVERING THE BOXES TO THE UPS SHIPPING CENTER, ETC. THE STUDENTS HAVE INCREASED THEIR SKILL LEVELS BY LEARNING REAL JOBS AND TASKS DONE BY PEOPLE IN REAL EMPLOYMENT SITUATIONS. THIS HELPS WITH FINE AND GROSS MOTOR SKILLS PROCESSES, AND WITH BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM TOWARD BECOMING CONFIDENT IN THEIR WORTH TO AN EMPLOYER. THESE SKILLS HELP THEM TRANSITION TO ADULT LIFE, PREPARE THEM WITH SKILLS TO HOLD AND MAINTAIN JOBS AND TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY. OTHER GROUPS VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WHICH INCLUDE SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, ELDERS IN THE COMMUNITY AND VARIOUS OTHER VOLUNTEERS. VALUE OF VOLUNTEER HOURS: IN 2021, WE HAD $132,000 IN VOLUNTEER HOURS FROM ALMOST 125 VOLUNTEERS. WE ALSO DISTRIBUTE OTHER ITEMS TO HOSPITALS ALL YEAR LONG: CRAFTS FROM THE HEART: CRAFT KITS HELP CHILDREN FOCUS ON CREATIVE ACTIVITIES WITH THEIR SIBLINGS WHO COME TO VISIT THEM, WHILE LIFTING UP THEIR SPIRITS. COZY COMFORTS: HAND-MADE BLANKETS PROVIDE WARMTH, A SENSE OF SECURITY AND COMFORT TO WARM THE HEARTS OF SERIOUSLY ILL BABIES AND CHILDREN IN HOSPITALS. BEAR JAMBOREE: BRAND NEW TEDDY BEARS AND STUFFED ANIMALS PUTS A SMILE ON THE MANY FACES OF HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN. ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT CRAB FEED: OUR ANNUAL CRAB FEED AS A DRIVE EVENT ON MARCH 12, 2021.