Boston Children's Hospital Every Child Fund

Family Services: Holidays

Thank you for your generous support of the Children’s Fund at Boston Children’s Hospital.

The Children’s Fund supports the many priorities and innovative programs in patient care,teaching/medical training, research and community health for children from low income families and communities. Your philanthropy will greatly impact on patients and their families in need during the holiday season. Many families struggle financially and are unable to provide holiday gifts, winter clothing and holiday meals for their children. Here at Boston Children’s we are able to provide support and resources through different programs.

The Hale Family Center for Families has a clothing closet for patients and families who travel to the hospital emergently and find themselves in need of a change of clothing. Toy drop offs are popular throughout the holiday season where donations come in from companies, families and individuals. Donations range from books, toys, gift cards and more to provide gifts to patients whose family cannot afford them and those who will be staying in the hospital throughout the holiday season.

Hosted by the Family Services team, the annual Boston Children's Holiday Craft Fair event kicks-off the season for the entire hospital community. Patients, family members, staff and visitors can browse the assortment of unique handmade gifts including candles, quilts, stained glass, jewelry, holiday decorations, greeting cards and much more from New England vendors.

The New Year will mark the one year anniversary of the Family Services team moving to the hospital’s main lobby, the Hale Family Center for Families. The program supported by philanthropy continues to grow. Rooms for family meetings, an activity space and a relaxation area have provided families the space to relax and care for themselves during their time at the hospital. Throughout the year the Family Services team has worked hard to ensure that families feel comfortable, confident, inspired, valued and supported throughout their entire Boston Children's experience. 

We are deeply grateful for your compassion and vision in supporting the Children’s Fund and for helping children and their families especially through the holiday season.

Thank you for your generous support of the Children’s Fund at Boston Children’s Hospital.

The Children’s Fund supports the many priorities and innovative programs in patient care, teaching/medical training, research and community health for children from low income families and communities. One area that your philanthropy has funded is the Creative Arts Program which provides engaging, innovative and uplifting experiences that support an integrated approach to care for the many diverse families and communities we serve. Some of the programs within Creative Arts includes: Artists-in-Residents, the Art Cart and Music Therapy.

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Music Therapy is currently being provided weekly in both the Inpatient Units and Outpatient Units.

Research shows that Music Therapy can be used to address positive changes in a patient. Physiological outcomes include decreased heart rate, blood pressure and pain perception and the increase of circulation. Neurologically changes have the ability to improve cognitive, communication, and motor skills. Psychosocial changes results in stress reduction, positive changes in mood and decrease length of stay.

Take a look inside the joyful, healing collaboration between patients and our Music Therapists—carrying on Boston Children’s Hospital’s commitment to innovative, patient and family centered care.

Links:

• Check Out This Youtube Video on Music Therapy!