Preparing For Your Stay
How Can I Stay?
Families may refer themselves. To inquire about a room, we ask that you call us at 617.734.3333 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. A volunteer or staff member will ask you a list of questions to verify your qualifications to stay.
A note for returning families: As of January 1 many of our policies have changed due to new requirements of our licensing agreement. Please know, you will still be eligible to stay with us if you have been eligible in the past. Please be patient with the person screening you. He or she is only asking questions required by the new policies.
How Do I Know if I Have a Room?
We operate on a night-by-night basis, and are therefore unable to make reservations more than one day in advance. You will need to call the House no earlier than 9 a.m. on the day before you expect to begin treatment. If we are full at the time that you need a room, we will try to help you find accommodations until a room here becomes available.
What is the Cost?
While there is a suggested donation of $10/night (up to $200/month) to stay in the House, no family is ever turned away due to the inability to pay. Most of the time we have some grant funds available to cover the cost. Please feel free to speak with a staff member if the donation presents a concern.
How Do I Get to and from my Hospital?
Each family may park one car for free in the House’s onsite parking lot. It’s up to each family whether they want to drive to and from the hospitals, walk (the Longwood Medical Area is a 10-15 minute walk) or take a taxi (we have taxi vouchers available on a limited basis). We do not have a shuttle service between the House and the hospitals.
What Does the House Offer?
Housing: We offer 9 bedrooms in the Main House. Rooms have either one double bed or two twins. Port-a-cribs and blow-up beds are available upon request. Each room has a private phone to receive calls and make local calls. Guests in the Main House share bathrooms and common areas including a full kitchen, laundry room, living room, dining room, playroom, playground and other indoor and outdoor space. All linens are provided. We also have 13 studio apartments designated specifically for children recovering from bone marrow and stem cell transplantation surgery, but these patients must first be approved through the Transplant Team at Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Center.
Food: Though families are responsible for their own food while staying at the House, we have some staples on hand, and outside groups provide dinner frequently.
Laundry Service: We offer free use of washers and dryers, including detergent.
Transportation: See above.
Entertainment: There are several television sets in the Main House (individual DVD players are available to check out on request) and a shared computer. We have several gaming systems and an extensive DVD library. There is free Wi-Fi available throughout the House.
What Do I Bring?
Families should bring personal items such as clothing and toiletries, and all guests 18 and over must present a valid photo ID (drivers’ license, passport or state or government-issued photo ID). Our kitchen is fully stocked with utensils, etc. and detergent and dryer sheets are free in the laundry room. Hair dryers, irons, strollers and a list of other items are available upon request.
What is the Check-in Process Like?
When a family arrives at the House (families may check in only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.) the parent or guardian is given a registration form to fill out, given a basic tour, and presented with one room key and one key card which will allow access through the exterior door, any time day or night. You may download the registration form in English or Spanish and fill it out in advance if you would like to speed the registration process. Please understand that it does not serve as a room confirmation and can only be presented upon check-in once the room has been confirmed over the phone.
Security
For security reasons, all exterior doors at the House are kept locked at all times. The key card is the only way to access the House after business hours, so if you misplace either the key or card please let us know immediately.
