News and information for friends of Family House, an independent, not-for-profit organization providing low-cost lodging for families of patients receiving medical care in Peoria.  For more information, call 309-685-5300.

- Special 20th Anniversary Edition -

For folks here in central Illinois, the answer is Family House. For the past two decades, Family House has offered comfortable, secure, low-cost lodging for families of patients receiving medical care in Peoria.

 This "home away from home" helps ease the emotional and financial strain for people visiting loved ones in any of the community's three hospitals. Additional costs such as living expenses, loss of wages, food, lodging and baby-sitting can devastate a family's budget.

 Without Family House, our guests' options would be bleak: to commute long distances back home, sleep in a hospital lobby chair, or pay for hotel/motel rooms. Instead, they come "home" to relax in modest private bedrooms and cook in convenient, well-supplied kitchens.

 Guests also appreciate the support of compassionate staff and the camaraderie with other guests.

Here, people can be together to talk and ease the tension or they can spend time alone.  

Each year, Family House opens its doors to nearly a thousand guests, ranging in age from infants to eighty-somethings.

Around 40% of our families are here because their children are hospitalized. Some 60% stay with us while adult family members are receiving medical care. Most patients come to the Peoria area to receive special­ized medical care, cardiac, neurological, surgical and neonatal services. A smaller number are here for trau­ma, obstetrics and psychiatric care. Though we have received guests from nearly every state, most are from the Midwest, particularly the counties to the east, west and north of Peoria. Some guests are with us for only a night or two. But others have had lengthy stays of months or more. 

"As soon as I got here, I felt safe and secure. That was really important. Everybody is in the same boat. If you need to talk, there's always someone here who understands what you're feeling. but if you need your privacy, you can have that too. "

"We've told everyone we know about Family House. We would never consider staying anywhere else if we had to return for hospitalization. It's wonderful!"

"Having had a child injured out of town, I can really relate to the people staying here. That's why I volunteer, even if it's just being the friendly face people need to see after a difficult day at the hospital. "

Doris loves to cook. It's the way she relaxes .... the way she shares. The first floor kitchen at Family House became the Los Angeles mother's refuge. When Doris' son needed a heart transplant, Family House gave her a sense of normalcy .... and the chance to cook up her famous fried green tomatoes!

Arthur stayed at Family House for nearly a year when his wife of 44 years was hospitalized. In that time he made new friends as other guests arrived. "Coming back at night was really fun during the Bulls' play-off games; there'd always be a crowd gathered around the TV. It's so nice to Family House to come home to."

Little Molly and her parents were guests while waiting for newborn brother to be well enough to come home. "There are three other families with premature infants staying here," says Dad. "It's a community of trust in the truest sense - - -people to laugh and cry with you."

Caryl's twelve children all could visit her when she stayed at Family House to receive radiation treatments at a nearby hospital. "My son would have come and picked me up but I was worried about all that driving every day---and the winter weather. Family House is nice, comfortable, clean and safe."

Dawn and her mother came to Family House from Quincy to receive highly specialized are for her newborn daughter. They were thrilled to find "this terrific place" so close to the hospital. 

"It is hard to express my feelings of gratitude, they are so profound. All the wonderful things you do make it easier for me to devote all my efforts to the loved one in the hospital with practically no concern for the personal requirements of living. "		"Thank you to all the staff for the kindness and loving care shown to me during a time of great stress .... and for the wonderful unselfish encouragement from the guests who shared their courage and understanding with me. "

Twenty years of tireless volunteers, energetic board members, generous donors .... and sticking to a bare bones budget!   A message from Peg Murphy, Family House Executive Director

Where do you start when reflecting on 20 years of service? There are so many to thank I couldn't begin to mention them all! Several long standing friends of Family House deserve special recognition, however. Thanks to the Peoria Junior League, the original Family House Board and all the volunteers who had the vision to establish our "home away from home" for patients' families. Over 25,000 guests have been served in these 20 years. 

Special appreciation to:

Vicki McCord and family for keeping that passionate feeling for Family House alive in the community. The three Peoria hospitals for remembering that, beyond serving our guests, we compliment the fine health care that they provide our families. All of the donors that have contributed from our early days in 1985 and still continue their support.  The businesses that sponsor our special events, Christmas Magic and the Carolyn Mannlein Memorial Race.  Evening Entre Nous and Phi Gamma Delta for their enthusiastic and energetic fund raising efforts each year.  Family House staff and board for your dedication to extending Peoria's hospitality to people from all walks of life.  

To all of you who have helped us these past 20 years, we hope that we can count on your continued support as we face the challenges in our future.

BOUQUETS   from those who stay

Family House Staff  Nothing reaches the heart but what is from the heart. Thank you for your kindness. You were my safe haven after a long day at the hospital. Everything was so nice and peaceful. I wish you well in your future plans with Family House. You will always have my support. B.E  Dear Family House Staff  The caring things you do are always appreciated, thank you very much. With special thanks for all your support and hospitality on our time of need. E.B.

To the Family House employees and guests  You were certainly a God-send when I needed you. I had many friends who helped me financially when my husband was in Saint Francis for 5 weeks. That money would not have went very far if I had to use a motel. You were and still are in my prayers many nights. You are very helpful to many, please continue your service to the community at large.                 M.R.

FRIENDS of the Family


Family House board, staff and guests extended their appreciation
to the following people who have made donations to our
organization from February 2005 - May 2005.

        - - -Thank You! - - -

Family House has provided a "home away from home" for nearly 25,000 guests in our 20-year history. How did it all begin? 

Located on a hilltop overlooking the city, Family House began in 1982 as a Peoria Junior League project. 

A board of directors was formed and Family House became a not-for-profit corporation. In 1984 a century-old Victorian hilltop home was purchased, and volunteers quickly went to work on its 9000 square feet of space. Nine months of renovations, countless hours of manpower and truckloads of donated furniture and bedding turned the house into a home. But we simply have run out of room. When we must turn away tired families, they must choose between a pricey hotel/motel or go back to the bright and busy hospital waiting room, neither a comforting option. 

• With only 14 bedrooms, we must often turn guests away. 

• Three flights of stairs make lodging less than satisfactory for the elderly, the infirm and new mothers, to say nothing of the wheelchair bound.

• With only one apartment, many family members must split up in to separate rooms. 

• Though majestic, this stately Victorian is well over a century old. Maintenance is constant and expensive.

•  While families in general appreciate the common dining, kitchen and living areas, few enjoy sharing bathrooms with other guests! 

• Storage, parking and office space are all in short supply. 

• And, most critically, lDOT expansion of 1-74 makes us nearly inaccessible to vehicles and creates hazardous driving conditions. 

"We are so grateful for Family House while our two daughters recoveredfrom a terrible car accident. Everything was wondeiful: the people, the shuttle, the laundry facilities-mand it's great to have coffee in the morning. " 

              "I felt warm, safe and secure during my stay with you " 

• Invite a Speaker to Your Organization

If your club or group would like to learn more about Family House, our past 20 years of service and our plans for the future, we would be happy to make a presentation . 

• Respond to The Special "20th Anniversary" Envelope Enclosed in This Newsletter.
  

• Save the Date and Plan to Attend Our Special Events.

Christmas Magic Luncheon, Friday, November 25,2005 at the Hotel Pere Marquette, and the Carolyn Mannlein Memorial Race at the clubs at River City on Saturday, May 20,2006

• Volunteer Your Time and Talent!

We are always looking for good people who want to volunteer. You can help us answer phones, register guests, clean, work in the yard or help at a fund raiser.

• Donate Items From Our Wish List

We have ongoing needs just like the ones at your house---everything from paper towels to light bulbs and laundry detergent!

WISH LIST

© 2006 Family House, Inc.