Open Heart Magic

Open Heart Magic (OHM) is a Chicago based 501(c)(3) Children's Foundation that brings hope to children struggling in hospitals, reinvigorating their youthful enthusiasm and helping them get better.

Our specially trained volunteer hospital magicians visit children and teens in pediatrics one-by-one and use magic as a tool to interest, actively engage and empower kids trying to deal with their situations and their negative feelings associated with their illnesses and hospital stays. The power of the interaction creates feelings of being special, reengages their curiosities, and gives them a greater sense of control not only from creating the magic with the magician but also from learning a magic trick, something that even their doctors do not know how to do.

Open Heart Magic Bedside Magic Programs are currently at Rush Children's Hospital, Children's Memorial, Hope Children's Hospital, Evanston Hospital and Lutheran General Children's Hospital. In 2009, one-on-one Bedside Magic reached 2,600 kids at their hospital bedsides.

Mission Statement

To use the therapeutic power of magic and laughter to energize and strengthen seriously ill children in Chicago area hospitals and aid their healing. To reach young patients one-by-one regardless of their disease, medical situation or physical ability so that all children may benefit from this engaging and entertaining therapy.

The Details

(41.879,-87.635)

Address
300 W AdamsSuite 611Chicago, IL 60606
Contact
- Niki Xenakis
Phone
- (312) 624-8079
Website
- http://www.openheartmagic.org
Interest Area
- Arts & Culture, Children & Youth, Health & Medicine

Average Review

7 reviews

Would you recommend Open Heart Magic?

Tell Us Why

by John K. (January 14, 2012)

I've never been a volunteer with an organization that provides as much support for its volunteers. While Open Heart Magic provides an even greater amount of appreciation for the work you do, the real appreciation comes from the children and families you meet. The magic isn't in the deck of cards you'll carry, or the handful of foam bunnies you'll have in your pocket, but in the way you'll empower these kids to perform a little magic of their own. I've been involved with Open Heart Magic for almost two years, and have been a magician for the past year. It's an amazing, selfless experience that continues to reward.

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by Diego M. (January 13, 2012)

I have been a hospital magician for almost 4 years now and I can honestly say this was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. Nothing is more rewarding than performing magic for sick kids and bringing laughter to them and their families. The experience humbles you and makes you realize that all the stress in life is meaningless. There are things that are bigger than yourself and outside of your own realm of thinking. Plain and simple, I make a direct impact on kids in a critical time and know that I am helping them. This experience truly allows you to make a dent in the universe.

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by Eric S. (January 13, 2012)

I never would have guessed that something as simple as a few magic tricks in a hospital room could have such a tremendous impact. Being able to provide smiles and laughter for a child and their family, in an environment where those are usually hard to come by, leaves me not only feeling great about being involved but also leaving me wanting to do more. I feel that by volunteering with Open Heart Magic I have been able to make a difference in kids' lives when it is at it's toughest. Nobody enjoys being in the hospital, kids most of all, and by giving just a few hours of my time I'm able to let them forget where they are or why they're there. Volunteering has quickly become the highlight of my week, and I always look forward to when it's my week to go perform bedside magic.

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by Jed S. (January 13, 2012)

I have been a lawyer for 35 years. It has been very rewarding. But nothing compares to the reward of bringing joy to children and their families at the hospital by performing magic and teaching the child how to perform magic too. All day long doctors, nurses, technicians and others come into the child's room to test,examine, prod and diagnose. I come in with the simple greeting,"Hi, my name is Jed. I am an Open Heart magician. Want to see some magic?" Their eyes light up. For a few minutes in their day magic is the focus of their life. And the their smiles heal the worries of their mothers and fathers. I have performed card and coin tricks since childhood. Nothing compares with the joy of giving the gift of magic to a child and his/her family.

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by Howard C. from Evanston, IL (June 28, 2010)

Being one of Open Heart Magic's bedside magicians not only allows one to provide enjoyment and relief from their illness to hospitalized kids, it also provides the opportunity to learn wonderful new skills in magic under the tutelage of a team committed to providing both fantastic entertainment and also extreme sensitivity to all that we serve.

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