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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 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.
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.
How We Help
Families whose children are living with cancer, muscular dystrophy, severe cystic fibrosis, and a myriad of rare genetic conditions, need our help now! We are:
Aiding passionate leaders across the U.S. in building and managing children’s respite homes.
Spreading awareness and providing knowledge to help families and children who need a respite home.
Advocating for more accessible respite care across the United States.
Sharing stories and successes to highlight the progress made in communities nationwide.
Click the green 'Play' button in the center to access our interactive map with links to websites
Existing Homes
Emerging Homes
Conversations Beginning
Meet the founders of U.S. children's respite homes and families being served
Hear From the Families at Existing Children's Respite Homes
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!
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