Join us on our mission to bring desperately needed children’s respite homes to every state in America.
Why respite homes matter
As a dad of a medically fragile child, I know firsthand how exhausting intense caregiving round-the-clock becomes. To have a short break for rest and sleep, we needed to trust that whoever we allowed to care for Ryan would do so safely and as we would. We quickly realized that overnight children’s respite services are very limited in the United States. That’s why my wife Holly and I cofounded Ryan House in Phoenix, and why I’m so passionate to now lead the National Center and rally others around “Children’s Respite Homes of America”. To help other communities get a house open and stay open so that more families like ours can finally get some much-needed sleep to better care for their children.
Please join us in our efforts to make sure every family with a medically fragile child has access to the respite services they so desperately seek
“My son Ryan is my north star. He left a legacy and continues to inspire so many. He fuels my passion every day and I will not stop until others get the sense of community, care, and love that we had.”
A community-based children's respite home is an extension of home and a temporary haven.
For most communities, the emergency room at a Children's Hospital may be the only place to turn for parents to get a short break (very expensive and not home-like)
There are many passionate people whose hearts want to open a Children's Respite Home but struggle to rally their community to raise the millions of dollars each year it currently takes to operate one.
The US is a huge country and passionate people trying to open a community respite home can often feel overwhelmed and isolated in their efforts.
The U.S. is Lagging
These important care models started in England in the early 1980’s, and today the UK has over 54 homes providing access to families. Other countries including Canada, have also recognized the need and expanded access.
For a country like the USA with a population 5 times greater than the UK’s, we should have at least 266 homes already – yet there are only a handful.
54
LAGGING
7
How We Help
Families whose children are living with cancer, muscular dystrophy, severe cystic fibrosis, brain malformations, and the list goes on and on with a myriad of rare genetic conditions, need our help NOW!
Direct support to communities who serve families and medically fragile children: Your contribution aids passionate leaders across the U.S. in building and managing children’s respite homes. Your donation gives them essential tools, expert advice, and the guidance needed to create these vital community resources.
Education and awareness: We spread awareness and provide knowledge to help families and children who need a respite home. Discover the impact of your support in shaping policies, enriching our knowledge base, and informing the public about the critical need.
Advocacy for accessible care: Our work involves advocating for more accessible respite care across the United States. We aim to bridge the substantial care gap for the 2 million children and their families needing these services.
Facilitating progress and change: By sharing stories and successes, we highlight the progress made in communities nationwide. We celebrate the strides taken by passionate people who demonstrate the powerful impact of community-driven efforts.
Meet the founders of U.S. children's respite homes and families being served
Hear From the Families at Existing Children's Respite Homes
Click the green 'Play' button in the center to access our interactive map with clickable links to websites
Existing Homes
Emerging Homes
Conversations Beginning
Let's build a children's respite home in your community
There are passionate leaders emerging in markets where medically fragile children and their families greatly need a respite home in their city. Together we can help them open their programs, and stay open, to fill this gap.
Kim, Suzanne, and Kathleen are three of those many emerging market leaders.
Learn more about the need in your community and how you can help!
We are empowering new leaders like Tieal, Jonathan, Kathy, and Katie to emerge in every state and join the mission to build a respite home in each city.
Create a place to grow and a space to rest for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
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