Good people helping people in need

Every community has them.  People who need help.  Every community has them.  People who offer help. But, expecting nothing in return, these are unsung contributors to the heart and soul of the region.

It's time to mention one such group here in the Boston area.  It's a small nonprofit called Hospitality Homes.  The mission is simple:

Hospitality Homes was the first program of its kind in the nation.  The organization has about 150 host families.  The services are free of charge and are made possible by the generosity of the volunteer hosts and supporters.

Anyone is eligible to be a guest who:

• Lives more than 50 miles from the hospital. 
• Has a permanent home to return to after his/her stay.
• Is an important support person for the patient.
• Is not likely to put the host family at risk.

Unfortunately, the need for convenient, caring, and cost-free accommodations for patients’ family members increases every year.  The place needs volunteers and financial support.

Dr. Louis Caplan, a neurologist at BIDMC, is quoted on the HH website about the pleasure of being a host:

My wife and I have been enriched by our experiences with the many families we have hosted. In one instance, we met a woman from India with a condition that left her effectively blind.  At the end of her stay we shared in the sheer joy of her regained sight.
 

Hospitality Homes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, governed by an able and diverse board of directors and operated by an excellent staff. Donations are fully tax-deductible.