Description
We are the Boston Chapter of It's My Heart Inc, a national non-profit organization based in Houston Texas. The current Boston chapter is based in Danvers, MA. Below is what the services we offer:
o Bulletin Board - good for patients and staff to keep up with IMH happenings, events, or meetings
o Scrapbooking weekly or monthly - for families to bring support inside the hospital. Great program to work with the hospital Child Life Specialist
o Tables inside clinics or on the cardiac floor with literature, coloring pages, crayons - a great way to get the word out about the Boston chapter
o Bake sales - for staff, patients, or other people visiting the hospital in general
o Brochures and literature - available to display wherever appropriate
Comfort Bags are meant for parents and patients at the hospital. Items in each bag typically includes:
o Official It's My Heart Tote Bag, "It's My Heart" book by Children's Heart Foundation (when available), Disposable camera with flash (when available), Spiral notebook (8.5" x 11), Pocket Folder, Comfort bag Letter, It's My Heart brochure with family meeting information insert, My Heart Bio, Two (2) Pens, Coloring book / blank drawing pad, Crayons (24), Individual packaged tissue, Medium sized stuffed animal - new (when available).
o Other Variation for Comfort Bags (only when funds become available or via donation): Bottled Water, Sudoko/Word Puzzle/Word Find book, Deck of cards, Hand Sanitizer
Legacy boxes are meant for those who have lost their child due to CHD in the hospital. Items include: Photo box, Disposable camera with flash, 3-D/foot mold or plaster kits, Organza Bags - for collecting hair and nail clippings, Sympathy card signed by volunteers and/or Executive Committee, Legacy Box Literature.
o Program is only for those admitted with a monitor or halter that has to stay attached to the child.
- Support programs (Outside the Hospital and Online)
Available on the It's My Heart Website under the Get Support section -http://www.itsmyheart.org/get-support/
o Expectant Parents Pages
Powered by It's My Heart. These pages are a special place for information for parents who have found out their new baby has a congenital heart defect. Includes heart stories.
o Monthly Support Group Meetings
o Boston Chapter Monthly Family Meetings - Meeting place, date and time information is available:under the Boston Chapter section of the It's My Heart website - http://www.itsmyheart.org/boston
o Family Events
o Patient Support
o It's a web page with a compilation of a list of organizations and foundations whose goal is to add a smile to your heart.
o Online Community - Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo Groups, visit: http://www.itsmyheart.org. For Boston chapter, visit http://www.itsmyheart.org/boston
o We Got Heart Teens - Nationwide support group specifically geared towards ages 12-19 for all those affected by CHD including family and friends.
o Facebook
o Page full of useful information and links dealing with grieving the loss of a child -
- It's My Heart Newsletter.
Keep updated with the Boston chapter by visiting:
http://www.itsmyheart.org/boston
