I would like to express to you my deepest thanks and admiration for your understanding and caring for others. You all have made us feel very welcome and at home. Truly, you all are a blessing in the lives of people who are in need.

The Kiwanis Family House Story

The Kiwanis Family House was built through the efforts of many Kiwanians from the Sacramento area. It opened on July 23, 1984 to answer an urgent need for temporary housing for the families of pediatric patients at the UCD Children’s Hospital in Sacramento. Prior to our response, there were no accommodations available at the hospital, and no nearby hotel or motel facilities that were safe and affordable. When a child was in a life-threatening condition as a result of cystic fibrosis, cancer, prenatal difficulties, or trauma from an accident, the distraught families who needed to be near their child were forced to sleep in their cars, with no access to bathing, bathrooms, laundry facilities or a place to gain respite from their overwhelming fears. So in many cases, children were left without the comfort of their parent’s presence because the parents could not afford to find temporary housing for extended stays.

Located on property donated by the UCD Medical Center, the Kiwanis Family House offers 32 bedrooms, each with a shower and bathroom facilities, four kitchens and dining areas for self-meal preparation, free laundry room, a child’s game room and an outdoor play area. Families have free phone, internet access and shuttle bus transportation to and from the hospital 24 hours a day.

Because families often arrive in emergency situations, the Kiwanis Family House also provides a clothes closet and toiletries, basic food closet and all necessary cooking and dining equipment. The Family House provides clean bedding and towels, while the Kiwanis volunteers perform the after-checkout room cleaning. Kiwanis volunteers also run the registration desk and assist families 24 hours a day every day of the year. There is a nominal rent fee for families which can be reduced or waived, depending upon their financial circumstances.

Guest families that stay at the Kiwanis Family House should live at least 35 miles from Sacramento. While most families live in California, many come from all parts of the United States as well as internationally.

The Kiwanis Family House has been able to successfully meet its mission of helping families in need every day only through the financial and volunteer support of Kiwanians. And only through that continued support will the Kiwanis Family House be able to continue to help these families in need far into the future.