“Our stay with our son was filled with blessed through your hospitality. We thank God each day for the warmth, once provided by you. Thanks so much.”

Kiwanis Family House Helps Families in Need

Sacramento, CA, December 16, 2003 — Two hundred miles north of Sacramento in a small town in Trinity County a young woman in her sixth month of pregnancy sat reading a popular book about what to expect when pregnant. Suddenly, she felt something wasn’t quite right with her baby. Two days later she was rushed to the hospital in Weaverville where she delivered a two-pound baby boy three months prematurely.

The UC Davis Medical Center’s Life Flight was dispatched to perform the emergency cesarean and deliver the baby boy with their medical team, who are experts in the care of pediatrics and neo-natal patients. Immediately the baby was life-flighted from Weaverville to the Medical Center in Sacramento. The new mother soon learned that her newborn son might have to stay in the hospital for three or four months. Knowing that she must be near her newborn son while he was hospitalized, the young mother drove to Sacramento without knowing where she would be staying and without regard to the financial consequences of a long-term stay away from home. With limited resources, this is no time for a family to be worrying about money.

Fortunately, the new mother soon learned there was a place to go for help. Nearly twenty years ago, the Kiwanis clubs in the Sacramento area recognized the therapeutic value of keeping families together in times of crisis. In 1984 the Kiwanis Family House opened its doors to families of seriously ill or injured children being treated at the University of California, Davis, Medical Center in Sacramento.

The Kiwanis Family House assists families by providing affordable temporary housing near the hospital as well as emotional support. Guests at the House have immediate access to their child’s bedside, free shuttle service to the hospital, and a staff of caring volunteers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, guests can prepare their own meals in a clean, comfortable and safe environment. By providing a close, safe environment, families in crisis can be near their loved ones and other families in similar circumstances. All of this helps with the healing process.

Our new mother recently said, “you don’t realize this is available until you are put in a situation and you are looking for help because you don’t know how you are going to make it alone. I had no one to turn to except the people at the Kiwanis Family House. I’m thankful because I was able to be here and get the support. It is a blessing.”

“Kiwanis clubs are linked together by our commitment to serving the children of the world,” said Gary Christensen, President of the Kiwanis Family House. “The success of the Kiwanis Family House has exemplified this commitment to our youth.”

Mother and son left the hospital today. Both are doing well.

About Kiwanis Family House: Kiwanis Family House is dedicated to providing temporary housing and support to families of seriously ill or injured children being treated at the UC Davis Medical Center. For more information about Kiwanis Family House, please visit www.kiwanisfamilyhouse.org