AUSTIN HATCHER FOUNDATION FOR PEDIATRIC CANCER

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY AND FAMILY PROGRAMMING DIVISION IS FOCUSED ON RESTORING AND MAXIMIZING THE EMOTIONAL, ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD, FAMILY MEMBERS AND FAMILY UNIT AFTER A DIAGNOSIS OF PEDIATRIC CANCER IS MADE. ALTHOUGH THIS PROCESS FOCUSES ON THE CHILD WITH CANCER, OPTIMUM RECOVERY FROM THE TOXIC BUT LIFE-SAVING ONCOLOGIC TREATMENTS MAY NOT BE REACHED WITHOUT ADDRESSING EDUCATIONAL, ACADEMIC AND PARENTING ISSUES THAT MAY EXIST WITHIN THE HOUSEHOLD PRIOR TO THE ONSET OF CANCER. THESE SERVICES ARE TAILORED TO THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND ARE OFFERED BEGINNING AT THE DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER AND PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE CHILD AND FAMILIES LIFESPAN.THE PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY AND FAMILY PROGRAMMING DIVISION ALSO PROVIDES RESOURCES TO AID EACH FAMILY MEMBER IN LIVING A HEALTHY AND FULFILLING LIFE FOLLOWING A PEDIATRIC CANCER DIAGNOSIS. FAMILY PROGRAMS STRENGTHEN RESILIENCE BY BUILDING A COMMUNITY AMONG INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO SHARE SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SOCIAL SKILLS WHILE DEVELOPING LASTING, MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE AN ENRICHING, EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE TO WHICH THE CHILDREN MAY NOT OTHERWISE HAVE ACCESS. THESE PROGRAMS ALSO PROVIDE A MUCH-NEEDED TIME OF RESPITE FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE: TUTORING, KINDERGARTEN READINESS, MIDDLE SCHOOL READINESS, PARENTS' DAY/NIGHT OUT, ENRICHMENT CAMPS, AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLASSES, FAMILY GATHERINGS AND PARTIES, VIRTUAL LEARNING ASSISTANCE, AND MUCH MORE.

INDUSTRIAL ARTS DIVISION FEATURES FABRICATION OF OBJECTS IN WOOD OR METAL USING A VARIETY OF HAND, POWER, OR MACHINE TOOLS. OUR PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES SMALL ENGINE REPAIR AND AUTOMOBILE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS EXPOSE CHILDREN TO THE BASICS OF HOME REPAIR, MANUAL CRAFTSMANSHIP, AND MACHINE SAFETY.