Franciscan Hospital for Children is a unique hospital, as it encompasses a referral and rehabilitation center for handicapped children, a community pediatric hospital, and a special needs school – all under one roof. Composed of two separate units, the Inpatient program at Franciscan serves children of all ages with a variety of special health care needs. Unit 3 has two main populations – pulmonary rehabilitation and genetic disorders. Some patients on this unit require a tracheotomy tube to breathe and others are children who are born with muscular weakness or multiple medical problems.
Most patients on Unit 3 tend to be infants and older children receiving more intensive care. Unit 2 is primarily composed of patients over the age of four, many of whom are receiving physical rehabilitation as a result of traumatic injuries, particularly to their brains. Patients in this unit may need assistance to play and engage in activities at admission, but these supports may decrease over time. Some patients on Unit 2 may have completed their rehabilitation and are awaiting placement in a residential school or foster home setting.

4Boston's Role

The main role of Inpatient volunteers is to serve as companions to the children on their assigned unit. Because the populations on the units range from infants to teenagers, some patients will be able to interact with volunteers while others benefit from being read to or just kept company. Volunteers primarily play with the children and help to maintain overall classroom cleanliness. In addition, volunteers may participate in activities such as holding/rocking infants, mat play with toddlers, board games, craft projects, video games, and movie nights. Since the majority of the children on the unit have special needs, playing with them requires a certain degree of understanding, compassion, and creativity.

Hours

10 am – 8 pm , 7 days a week.  One four-hour shift or two two-hour shifts per week; mandatory training session.

Council Member

Location

Franciscan's is located relatively close to campus, near the Warren (T) stop on the Green – B Line, at:

30 Warren St. , Boston , MA 02135 .  Google Maps  Cross the T tracks and walk down Warren St. just over a block.  The hospital is a beige building on the right.

For more information . . .

            You can always contact the council member above if you have any questions about 4Boston's FHC-Inpatient group.