CHILDREN'S INN AT NIH INC

RESIDENT SERVICES - THE CHILDREN'S INN AT NIH WAS FOUNDED 34 YEARS AGO TO PROVIDE A COMFORTABLE AND NURTURING "PLACE LIKE HOME" AT NO COST TO FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN PARTICIPATE IN CLINICAL RESEARCH STUDIES FOR THE TREATMENT OF RARE AND SEVERE DISEASES AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH). TODAY, THE INN SERVES CHILDREN, TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS UP TO 30 YEARS OLD, AS WELL AS THEIR FAMILIES. NIH SCIENTISTS WORK WITH YOUNG RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS TO PIONEER MEDICAL INNOVATIONS THAT IMPROVE THE LIVES AND SURVIVAL RATES OF YOUNG PEOPLE WORLDWIDE. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING FREE LODGING FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY, OUR GOALS ARE TO MAKE CHILDHOOD POSSIBLE, RELIEVE THE BURDEN OF ILLNESS ON FAMILIES AND HELP ADVANCE NIH CLINICAL RESEARCH. THROUGH THE FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM, THE INN AIMS TO MEET THE VARIOUS NEEDS OF FAMILIES WHO ARE STAYING WITH US BY DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING THERAPEUTIC, RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER IS CRUCIAL FOR THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, ESPECIALLY WHEN FACED WITH A CHILD'S RARE AND SERIOUS ILLNESS. THESE ACTIVITIES NOT ONLY PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT BUT ALSO HELP FOSTER LASTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER FAMILIES, CREATING THE INN'S UNIQUE NURTURING AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY.THE INN'S ENVIRONMENT SUPPORTS FAMILY LIFE AND MEETS EVERYDAY NEEDS SUCH AS COOKING A CHILD'S FAVORITE MEAL, SPENDING QUALITY TIME TOGETHER OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL, AND PARTICIPATING IN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TOGETHER. IN THIS ERA OF PHYSICAL DISTANCING DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES REMAINS OUR TOP PRIORITY. ALL ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED TO BE INCLUSIVE, SO THAT EACH RESIDENT FEELS A SENSE OF BELONGING, SAFETY, CARE AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, HAS FUN. WHETHER IT BE THROUGH A RELAXING YOGA SESSION, MOVIE NIGHT ON THE PLAYGROUND, OR A SAILING TRIP AROUND CHESAPEAKE BAY, OUR WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES OFFER FAMILIES A CHANCE TO SIMPLY ENJOY THEMSELVES.THE INN'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS SUPPORT THE PATIENT AND THEIR SIBLINGS WITH SCHOOLWORK AND GROUP ACTIVITIES. CHILDREN CAN BE MATCHED WITH INDIVIDUAL TUTORS BASED ON THEIR EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND LANGUAGE PREFERENCES. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE LEARNING ABOUT TECHNOLOGY OR MEETING CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHORS WHO LEAD LIVELY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE FUN OF READING AND WRITING STORIES.SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR PATIENTS AND THEIR SIBLINGS INCLUDE:- CAMP INCREDIBLE: ALLOWS CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE IN TYPICAL CAMP ACTIVITIES DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. RECENTLY, THE INN ADDED CAMP ACTIVITIES FOR TEENS AND ACTIVITIES DURING SPRING AND WINTER SCHOOL BREAKS.- SIBLING DAY: PROVIDES THE CHANCE FOR SIBLINGS TO LEARN ABOUT THE MEDICAL PROCEDURES THEIR SICK SIBLING MAY UNDERGO AND RECOGNIZES THEM AS "SUPER SIBS" FOR THEIR MANY IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR FAMILIES.THE CHILDREN'S INN PROVIDES SUPPORT AND ACTIVITIES FOR OUR TEEN AND YOUNG ADULT RESIDENTS. THE TEEN AND YOUNG ADULT LOUNGE IS DESIGNED FOR AGES 13 AND OLDER TO HAVE THEIR OWN SPACE TO PLAY BOARD AND VIDEO GAMES, READ, STUDY, PARTICIPATE IN ORGANIZED GROUP DISCUSSIONS OR GATHER BEFORE OUTINGS TO LOCAL RESTAURANTS, LIVE CONCERTS AND SHOWS. THE CHANCE TO GET TO KNOW, SOCIALIZE AND MAKE FRIENDS WITH PEERS OF THE SAME AGE FACED WITH CHRONIC OR LIFE-THREATENING DISEASES IS WELCOMED BY OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO TYPICALLY HAVE NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO MEET OTHERS FACED WITH SIMILAR, RARE HEALTH CHALLENGES. EACH YEAR, THE INN PROVIDES TWO DAYS OF SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR OUR TEEN RESIDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE "TEEN RETREAT."THE CHILDREN'S INN IS EXPANDING PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES FOR OUR YOUNG ADULTS WHO OFTEN HAVE NOT HAD THE CHANCE TO DEVELOP INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS TO THE SAME DEGREE AS THEIR HEALTHY PEERS. IN 2024, THE INN PLANS TO OPEN A SECOND BUILDING LOCATED DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET, WHICH WILL PROVIDE HOUSING DESIGNED FOR OUR YOUNG ADULTS, AGES 18-30.CAREGIVER GATHERINGS LED BY THE CLINICAL CENTER'S NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHAPLAIN PROVIDE PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS AND OTHERS WITH THE CHANCE TO ENGAGE IN DISCUSSIONS, SING SONGS TOGETHER AND EXPLORE THEIR SPIRITUALITY. MANY CAREGIVERS REPORT THEY FIND SOLACE AND INSPIRATION IN CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CHAPLAIN AND OTHER FAMILIES. HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS AND DISCUSS THE DIFFICULTIES OF THEIR SITUATION STRENGTHENS FAMILIES' BONDS AND THE INN'S NURTURING COMMUNITY.EXERCISE IS ANOTHER MEANINGFUL WAY FOR CAREGIVERS TO PRACTICE SELF-CARE. THE INN'S EXERCISE ROOM PROVIDES WEIGHTS AND CARDIAC EQUIPMENT FOR AN EASY WAY TO STAY IN SHAPE AND DE-STRESS. THE INN OFFERS FREE FITNESS CLASSES TAUGHT BY CERTIFIED TRAINERS THREE TIMES A WEEK.THE INN'S STAFF PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL FIELD TRIPS TO TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, LOCAL MUSEUMS, ART STUDIOS, SPORTING EVENTS, RESTAURANTS, CONCERTS, MUSICALS AND OTHER FAMILY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCES.ACTIVITIES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY INCLUDE:- CHRISTMAS IN JULY IS A SPECIAL SUMMERTIME VISIT FROM SANTA WHO BRINGS GIFTS AND SURPRISES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.- HOLIDAY DECORATIONS AND VISITS FROM SANTA AND THE ELVES, TRANSFORM THE INN INTO A MAGICAL PLACE DURING DECEMBER. EVERY CHILD AND FAMILY MEMBER CAN WRITE SANTA A WISH LIST, AND SANTA AND HIS ELVES ENSURE WISHES ARE FILLED TO THE BEST EXTENT POSSIBLE.MEALS SERVED BY VOLUNTEERS OR INN STAFF ALLOW FAMILIES THE CHANCE TO FOCUS ON THEIR CHILD AND THEIR HEALTH RATHER THAN COOK AFTER LONG DAYS OF TRAVEL OR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. TO SUPPORT FAMILIES, VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS SERVE BREAKFAST MOST DAYS AND DINNERS MOST NIGHTS OF THE WEEK, AS WELL AS SUNDAY BRUNCH. RECENTLY, THE INN BEGAN SERVING LUNCH TO SUPPORT FAMILIES FURTHER AND OFFER THEM AN ADDITIONAL MEAL, FREE OF CHARGE. WE ALSO INCLUDE MEAL OPTIONS FOR VARIOUS DIETARY RESTRICTIONS AND MEET STRICT FOOD STANDARDS FOR OUR TRANSPLANT PATIENTS. THE EXPANDED OPTIONS INCLUDE GLUTEN-FREE, FAT-FREE AND DAIRY-FREE MEALS, FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES AND VEGETARIAN OPTIONS.SHARED MEALS BRING FAMILIES TOGETHER WHERE THEY CAN MEET ONE ANOTHER AND BOND. INTERNATIONALLY THEMED DINNERS ORGANIZED BY OUR STAFF PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILIES FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND CULTURES TO SHARE THEIR NATIONAL DISHES AND CELEBRATE THEIR CULTURES WITH OUR COMMUNITY OF RESIDENTS.FOR FAMILIES WISHING TO COOK, NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS FOR QUICK MEALS ARE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE IN OUR KITCHENS' COMMUNITY PANTRIES. OUR TEAM ORGANIZES TRIPS TO THE GROCERY STORE THREE TIMES A WEEK AND PROVIDES GROCERY GIFT CARDS TO FAMILIES. OUR KITCHENS HAVE INDIVIDUAL REFRIGERATORS/FREEZERS AND PANTRY SPACE FOR EASY, HYGIENIC FOOD STORAGE.TO HELP NON-ENGLISH-SPEAKING FAMILIES, TUTORING IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE. MULTILINGUAL STAFF AND PHONE-ACCESSIBLE TRANSLATION SERVICES ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO HELP FAMILIES COMMUNICATE.A GROUP OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTS THE INN'S STAFF BY MANAGING THE WELCOME DESK, CHECKING FAMILIES IN AND OUT OF THE INN, STOCKING THE KITCHENS, ORGANIZING IN-KIND DONATIONS AND OFFERING INFORMATION TO FAMILIES ABOUT LOCAL CULTURE AND TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND MORE.