While a Host Family takes a child into their home with all the responsibilities of a parent, a Support Family plays a smaller, yet vital, role to the HTC child during a medical stay.

Support Families are needed in a variety of situations.

Sometimes a child travels to St. Louis with a parent and stays at HavenHouse in Creve Coeur. Although HavenHouse provides a comfortable environment, a Support Family or individual can provide a parent and child with an invaluable friendship. Simple outings to the zoo, a park, or dinner can make all the difference in an HTC child and parent's stay here. Accompanying the parent and child to the hospital or doctor visits gives them a familial feeling, one that's immeasurable in the process of healing.

Support Families are truly an invaluable resource to Healing the Children. Kids do best during the course of their treatment when surrounded by love and support. Their parents find comfort during a difficult time when a friend is there every step of the way. Even when there are language differences, Support Families soon learn that a good meal, a good night's rest or a shoulder to cry on is a gift that reaches across all cultural boundaries.

Support Families are also needed when a child is here without a parent. Ideally, we match each Host Family with one or two Support Families or individuals who commit to playing a consistent, supportive role while the child is in our care. Examples of support would be taking the child to some of their doctor/physical therapy appointments, visiting the child while in the hospital, or giving the host parent a day off once a week.

Opportunities abound within HTC for whatever supporting role an individual or family wishes to take during the treatment of HTC children. A commitment to even one day a week is invaluable to the ongoing mission of HTC -- to provide healing, love, and support to a child. Simply stated, Support Families provide a larger, extended family to a child who is away from his or her own family during a difficult time.

Those interested in becoming a Support Family, please download and return our Volunteer Opportunities form.  Once that is received, we'll be in touch!