Hope For The Holidays

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Family House was an idea that came to fruition in 1983, when we opened the doors to our first house.  After many years of blessings and community support, it has blossomed into a multi-house operation!  We now run four separate locations, 365 days a year.  It is no small task to keep these houses running like well-oiled machines, while still feeling like warm, inviting homes.  The way we make it all happen is with four spectacular women, who turn hospitality into an art form, each and every day!  I would like to introduce you to our fab-four: Angela- Shadyside House Manager, Sue – McKee House Manager, Peg – Neville House Manager, and Laurie – University Place Manager.  I asked them each to tell me a little bit about themselves, what they like to do during the holidays and what their wishes are for their houses.

Angela shared that December 17th was her 3rdmonth anniversary at Family House.  She wishes our guests much joy, hope and perseverance through their journeys.  In regards to holiday traditions, she said, “My most favorite memory of Christmas is trimming the tree with my family, and all that goes with it;  My daughter picking on her brother for putting snoopy next to Woodstock instead of Charlie brown, and so on, and when we are done, we sing Karaoke!!  My kids gang up on me and make fun of me. You see, I cannot sing for the life of me, but that never stopped me from doing so!”  Angela is one of our newest team members and with her spunky and fearless attitude, she will fit right in!

Sue has been with Family House for over twelve years, serving as both Resident Manager and House Manger.  She hopes that our Family House guests find Christmas stockings filled to overflowing with care and support, to help them through the holidays and beyond.  Sue also told me about a particularly special holiday tradition she has.  “One of my favorite memories growing up was driving around town on Christmas Eve, looking at the lights and decorations, then coming home and having chocolate milk shakes with a candy cane ‘stirrer’.   I did this with my children, and now it’s really fun to continue the tradition with my grandchildren.”  What a delicious way to celebrate the season!

Peg is also in her third month at Family House.  We are so thrilled to have her kind, thoughtful personality representing Family House at Neville.  One of her favorite holiday treats is old fashioned Christmas cut-out cookies.  She also mentioned being partial to a night-cap of Egg Nog with a splash of “holiday cheer!”  (Now that’s my kind of cheer!)  “Dear Santa,” Peg requested, “please bring our guests the gifts of the season – Peace, Joy and Hope!”

Laurie’s story started quite some time ago.  In fact, she started her career at Family House when it first opened, now almost 30 years ago!  “My family and Family House are somewhat synonymous” she said.  “During my initial two-year stint, I got married to my wonderful husband and then had to retire early when we discovered I was pregnant with twins, 3 days before they arrived!  Twenty-seven years later, I returned to Family House to become the House Manager at University Place.  The kids are grown and FH was always in the family!  For this holiday season, what better thing to wish for our guests and families, than hope and health.”

I couldn’t agree more.  I’m sure I speak for everyone at Family House as I echo Laurie’s wishes for hope and health.  The families staying with us during the Holidays need those gifts more than any neatly wrapped present under a tree.  To our Management Team, thank you for your compassion and dedication to serving those in need, and to all of our guests, may you be blessed in the coming year and comforted in knowing that we are here for you, every step of the way.

 

Inspiration From The Garden

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In the middle of the constant commotion of a busy college town, Family House is striving to provide simple comforts to our guests, who are far away from home.  Our garden at Neville is small and quaint.  Still, it brings a good old-fashioned sense of community to guests and staff alike.  Since the spring they have been harvesting their crops of tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and herbs.  This week, two of our staff members decided to put the fresh produce to good use!

On a quiet Tuesday afternoon, Patti Likar and Karen Watson (our spectacular Housing Office duo) decided to bring out their inner Julia Child.  Using the abundance of basil procured from the garden, they blended together a delicious pesto.  From there, inspiration struck and led them to prepare pasta, tossed with the vibrant, flavorful sauce as well as a pizza, topped with  hardy tomatoes.  And there was plenty of cheese, cheese, cheese! Add some French baguettes for sopping up any leftover pesto and everyone walked away with empty plates and full bellies!

Like anything good in life, it took a bit of a mess to get to the final product.  However, clean-up was just part of the fun.  As we wiped counter tops and wrapped leftovers for families to enjoy later, I could hear conversations taking place in the background.  Unanimous “yums” were muttered amidst laughter and stories of a fellow guest who had recently received a long-awaited transplant.  That is exactly why we each show up to work every morning; to know that, in some small way, we create an environment where families can feel at home.  Where they can share a meal together and build the connections that tend to form between people who are living under the same roof.  Connections that last well past lunchtime, well past their stay at Family House, and will become memories that they hold onto for years to come.

 

Karen and Patti, Chefs in Charge!

Told you there was a lot of cheese!

Holly Bulvony, expert bread cutter.

Guests Diana and Jeannette, from New Jersey. Cheers!

Meeting the Challenge – The Bedford Family

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The Bedford family is one of the thousands of families who have called Family House home.  Their story inspire us and show the true meaning behind the Family House Family Assistance Fund.

The Bedford Family

When Barry needed a lung transplant and coronary artery bypass procedures, the required relocation fromTennesseetoPittsburghwas the only thing to do.  Neville Family House was the first stop for Nancy and Barry Bedford during an initial evaluation by the UPMC lung transplant program.  The staff of Neville was very accommodating; questions were usually answered before they were asked.  Barry decided then that Neville would be their extended home away from home. Nancytook family leave as a nurse practitioner with the VA, as family and friends rallied.  Even Teddy, a 10-year-old Portuguese water dog, who had never been left alone, had his personal in-home caregiver.

The lack of personal stuff was quickly replaced with warm, caring humans, many of whom were traveling the same hopeful journey.  Those who forged before us quickly became the mentors.  After moving in on October 12, the call of urgency came on November 8, 2009.  The journey from the waiting area to the surgical suite was done in record time and Dr. Toyoda and crew were phenomenal.  While Barry called UPMC his short term home,Nancyreturned daily to Neville to give and receive the comforting words and hugs so desperately needed.  The extended family members came and went and new members were added on a daily basis.  The friendships made over shuttle rides, parking woes, walks to and from the hospital, meals, trips to the grocery, shoveling snow (yes, event the historic 21 incher), laundering and late night talks are cherished forever.

After calling Family House Neville “home” for five and a half months, the car was packed and the long trip back toTennesseebecame a reality.  Barry’s health has permitted longer spans between trips back to UPMC and Neville.  Extended family stretch across theUnited StatesandIceland!  The magic of Family House carries on as do the beautiful, lasting friendships which otherwise would have never been realized.

Family House Young Business Leaders

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Family House has created a new means to heighten community outreach. They are the Family House Young Business Leaders, fondly known as the YBL. Starting with a fresh viewpoint, the group is charged with increasing awareness of the mission of Family House in order to raise “friends” and “funds”.

The YBL was formed under the guidance of Family House board members and executive staff to connect with the dynamic and emerging young business leaders in the Pittsburgh region. Each member of YBL was nominated by a community or business leader based on leadership skills in their professional arena and dedication to philanthropy.

Bruce Coleman, Co-chair of the Advancement Committee, remarked, “This is a very energetic group of young professionals. They have an unparalleled enthusiasm and we are very excited about their potential.” During their most recent meeting, the agenda was full and many exciting initiatives are in development for the coming year. Some upcoming happenings are: a craft brewing experience, spa experience (for the ladies), summer music concert series, and, to cap off, a golf event at Birdsfoot Golf Course. Future events and social media will be introduced into the marketplace in the next several months.

“We are thrilled to have the Family House Young Business Leaders on board with our critical mission”, states Christie Knott, Executive Director of Family House. “These young people bring new perspectives to our outreach efforts and we enjoy their eagerness. Our guests will ultimately benefit from their efforts and for that, we are very grateful.”

YBL’S MISSION STATEMENT

Family House Young Business Leaders are a volunteer extension of Family House dedicated to increasing awareness of the mission of Family House; expanding the reach of the fundraising efforts and engaging young business leaders to broaden the mission.

Please contact us for more information about joining or nominating someone for YBL.

National Volunteer Appreciation Week

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In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we wanted to share this wonderful story about two of our house volunteers.  Donna and Gregg represent the more than 270 house volunteers who are an essential part of the daily operation of our houses. 

A Sunday Team

Every other Sunday, when guests arrive at Family House Neville, they will be greeted by a mother/son team – Gregg and his mother Donna.  While most high school seniors are otherwise occupied, for the past three years, Gregg has been aiding the guests and staff of Family House.  He took over this spot when his sister went off to college and he became Mom’s partner.  As he prepares information for guests, Donna is preparing and checking rooms for incoming guests. 

Gregg attends Seton LaSalle High School and has received early acceptance to Allegheny College with a current view to a career in finance.  His interests include an active participation in karate, the International Club and he works in the school office.  At Family House, Gregg enjoys meeting the guests and having the opportunity to interact with people from many different places.

Having come to Family House at the suggestion of another long time volunteer, Donna is very aware of the challenges of transplant patients as she is a seventeen year survivor of a liver transplant.  Her positive and encouraging attitude is helpful to folks who are going through what she experienced many years ago.  She is grateful that she has the opportunity to offer knowledge and support to guests who are going through stressful times.  She remembers a time when she could be with a gentleman who had suffered a loss and could allow him to express his grief. 

When asked what he has learned while volunteering at Family House, Gregg replies, “We should be thankful for what we have” and that he is “grateful to still have his Mom after all these years.”

This mother and son Sunday Team are a wonderful and valuable asset to Family House.

Welcome!

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Hello and Welcome to Family House Pittsburgh’s Blog!

Whether you have known about Family House for over 20 years or just stayed with us last week, you know that we are very proud of our mission to support patients and families being treated at any Pittsburgh based hospital, hospice or rehabilitation center.  Since 1983 we have welcomed more than 120,000 guests into our four homes and pride ourselves on providing comfortable, safe and affordable living accommodations. Our guests may be with us a single night or over 22 months; but their experience with us is just the beginning of our mission. The support of over 250 house volunteers and more than 100 group volunteers allows us to provide tangible items like stocked food pantries, prepared meals, toiletries, and other necessities. Our staff and volunteers also offer understanding as well as emotional support and connections to other families experiencing similar situations and access to valuable resources.  Based on our collective and extensive experience with critical illness, we are often able to anticipate the needs of our guests and provide guidance and information to support them on their journey of care. We operate with the motto of “Amazing things happen when your heart is in the right place”…our hearts are open to those in need and find themselves in a city where they may be strangers.

 We hope to use this blog to share our knowledge, practical advice, post articles that will help our guests and provide stories from our guests, volunteers, staff and supporters. Please take some time to visit our website to learn more about Family House.

 Thank you for taking the time to read and participate in our blog. 

Sincerely,

Christie Knott- Executive Director