Christopher's Haven
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April 28, 2011
In my position handling the pediatric intake/access for treatment at the proton therapy center in Boston, I deal with incoming families whose children are coming for this type of therapy. These families travel to Boston from all corners of the world driven by the hope for cure. The average length of treatment is 6-8 weeks requiring relocation for this period of time. Christopher’s Haven has become a wonderful resource for these families. Both close to the hospital and affordable, Christophers Haven is a dream come true. Christophers Haven wonderful reputation is known far and wide because of the rave reviews of families who have stayed there and understand first hand the sense of community. The level of compassion and caring is clearly conveyed by the excellent staff, who go above and beyond on a daily basis.
Every time a parent comments “There is no place like Christophers Haven” I am reminded of the movie The Wizard of Oz. Specifically Dorothys famous line “There is no place like home”. Christopher’s Haven is a phenomenal organization and is clearly a home away from home for these families in need.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my role at MGH I am also involved in weekly lodging meetings and clearly understand the impact of having a valuable resource such as Christophers Haven available to our incoming patients and their families.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Add more apartments!
April 20, 2011
My family stayed at Christopher's Haven almost 4 years ago when my son, Noah, received Proton Beam Radiation Treatments. We traveled from Northwest Indiana really arriving and not knowing how we were going to manage staying in Boston for 8 weeks. Christopher's Haven opened their arms and welcomed us by allowing our family to be the first family in their second apartment. We are so amazed at how far they have come and how many more apartments they have been able to open up to families like us. The entire Christopher's Haven Family is our family and we are forever grateful for them.
When you are going through a traumatic experience such as your child having cancer, the last thing you need to worry about is making arrangements on where your family will live for 2 months during treatment. Christopher's Haven took that stress off of our backs and allowed the four of us to just be a family and enjoy each other as much as possible while we were in Boston.
The Christopher's Haven Angels are truly angels uniquely selected by God and we were so very blessed to be a part of this organization.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
such a positive light.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not change a single thing.
April 20, 2011
I have been involved in many non-profits from creation through the organiztions maturity. The key has always been whether the charity's purpose is truly its driving force. The purpose of this organization is to assist kids with cancer and their families. All, from the founders to volunteers, believe and practice that, it is what they do.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have watched its growth from idea to reality
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
encourage more contributions so more kids and their families could be served.
April 19, 2011
My son and I stayed here while he received Proton Radiation and speech, vision, occupational and physical therapies. Because of its proximity to MGH he was able to maintain a schedule with up to five appointments each day and still have time to rest and recuperate. He arrived in a wheelchair and left walking. However, Christopher's Haven is more than just affordable and convenient housing. It is a refuge for families during an incredibly stressful time in their lives. The sense of community is amazing. In addition to an amazing professional team (Dan, Martha and Katelyn) the families develop a bond which helps everyone heal, parents, sibling, aunts, uncles and grandparents.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
2009 & 2010
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Hope that others are inspired to replicate its mission to serve other facilities around the world.
April 19, 2011
Dan, the founder of Christopher's Haven, has had cancer three times. We supported him through each of his rounds of chemo, stem cell transplants, and subsequent convalesences. He is our son and we could not be more proud of him. We love you Dan!!!!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Watching the organization grow and service more families.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
The organization is moving in the right direction. It's biggest need now is a source of perpetual funding.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of advisors?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
What is its top priority in the long run?
Providing a home for children, who are being treated for cancer, and their families in close proximity to the hospital.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
April 19, 2011
As a social worker involved with the children and families coming from near and far for proton therapy, I have witnessed the palpable relief of families when they have found comfort and community at Christopher's Haven.
the initial question, when a family has learned they will be coming to Boston, is invariably where can we stay. This is frequently followed by concern at the cost of remaining in an expensive City for weeks that can extend to a length of 8-9 weeks.
Our Christopher Haven families have been delighted and grateful for their initial welcome to the apartments. This includes a cupboard and refrigerator with basic necessities, like milk and bread. This is enormously meaningful when a family arrives after long travel, tired and with no idea of how to locate anything in this new place. There are toys for the children and a new "greeting" book for the young patient.
The manager is there to welcome the family, to explain basic needs, to introduce them to the community "Loft" where pot luck suppers take place, birthdays are celebrated, books and videos are available to borrow. She also introduces them to the other children and their parents staying there..
Christopher's Haven is now 5+ years old and has made an enormous difference to the young patients, their siblings and their mothers and fathers; sometimes to visiting grandparents as well.
It is, as many parents have said, a blessing place.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've experienced the results of Christopher's Haven "home" through the lives of young patients and their families who came to Boston for weeks of treatment.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would hope there are ways to increase funding for Christopher's Haven. There are families who have difficulty paying the very reasonable daily cost of staying at this "home away from home".
April 19, 2011
I became involved with Christopher's Haven over six years ago when there were just two apartments. Now there are seven plus a common apartment for families to congregate. The founder, Board and Executive Director have done a wonderful job growing the charity to effectively meet the needs of the families. So many families have been served from all over the world and now there is even a Family Services Manager on full-time who does a great job addressing the needs of the families on-site.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Going to the Christopher's Haven apartments on any given day is inspiring. The families are so appreciative of the "home away from home" that they have been provided.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Find alternate ways to fund the charity without being so dependent upon the annual event.
April 19, 2011
One of the very first questions that families ask when they contact our Pediatric Radiation Oncology office is “Where will we stay when we come to Boston for Proton Radiation?" They are so relieved when we tell them about Christopher's Haven. It is overwhelming for families to cope with a newly diagnosed child who has a life threatening illness. Planning to relocate for six weeks to a new city is a daunting task.
Our children come from all around the country to Boston for this treatment and the cost of hotel rooms or renting apartments is beyond the means of many families.
One of my fondest memories of Christopher’s Haven was the opening of the family room where children and parents can gather to watch TV, play games and share laughter and tears with other families traveling the same road. Two children were playing “Proton Center “. They had us lined up in chairs waiting our turn to go in for treatment and one child said so tenderly, “Don’t worry, it’s just a pinch and it will not hurt”
Thank you Christopher’s Haven.
Stephanie Edwards
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Assisting families to obtain low cost accommodations which are close to the hospital while there child is in Boston for treatment.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
broaden the fundraising base. Because Boston has some very well known children's medical institutions, it is hard to raise the profile of the needs of the patients serviced by Christopher's Haven.
April 18, 2011
Our family stayed at Christopher's Haven in 2009 while my son received proton radiation for a malignant brain tumor. They gave us a beautiful place to stay that we could afford and allowed us to have a relaxing "home away from home" close enough to the hospital that we could walk there. While we were there they had two gatherings, where we met the director and the owner, along with several activities for the kids. It was definitely a "home away from home" complete with a caring, supportive family to go with it. I would (and do) highly recommend Christopher's Haven to anyone receiving proton treatment at MGH.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
2009 when our family stayed there.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
like to see more apartments so that other families have the same opportunity we did. Many families who we met at radiation were unable to get an apartment because they were all full and ended up staying across town or at a hotel which is much more expensive.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
How did you find this group?
Through the social worker at the hospital.
What, if any, change in your life has this group encouraged?
They gave us peace during a very difficult time in our life.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
April 17, 2011
My family used Christopher's Haven in 2008; it was a lifesaver. My 4 year old son was diagnosed with cancer and we were moved from our local hospital to Boston which is two hours from our home. We spent a month living in a hospital room and then were told we needed to start radiation for 6 weeks. We had no idea where or how we would take this on; knowing only that we couldn't drive to Boston everyday for treatment. Christopher's Haven answered this question for us. During a time of so much uncertainity we were able to find a place that we could call home. The apartments had everything we could have ever asked for and more. Being able to have a place across the street from the hospital was a godsend. Our son was extremely sick from both the chemo and radiation that he was receiving and to be able to walk him home in 5 minutes was the best thing in the world. I don't think we would have made it if Christopher's Haven hadn't been there for us! It is truly a wonderful place that gives families a little piece of normalcy during a very difficult time.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
having a place to stay while my son underwent chemo and radiation at Mass General.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
expand it to include more apartments so that everyone in need during a cancer treatment is able to benefit from this wonder organization.
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