Believe In Tomorrow’s hospital housing program serves families of patients at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore, MD. The Believe In Tomorrow Children’s House at Johns Hopkins accommodates up to 15 families at a time and is located less than two blocks from the hospital’s main entrance. The Believe In Tomorrow House at St. Casimir is a longer-term housing facility comprised of seven individual apartments and primarily used for pediatric bone marrow transplant patients.If you have any questions, please contact our Family Care Coordinator at 410-614-2560.
Eligibility & Referral
Eligibility
- Patient must be 17 years old or younger
- Patient must be receiving treatment at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
- Patient’s family must live at least 60 miles from the hospital
Patients undergoing a bone marrow transplant or other long-term treatment (3+ months) may be eligible for long-term housing at the Believe In Tomorrow House at St. Casimir. Please contact our Family Care Coordinator for more information. Requests for overnight housing are not first-come, first-served. Requests are prioritized based on the medical condition of the child, with life-threatening diagnoses receiving the highest priority.
Referral Process
To apply for hospital housing with Believe In Tomorrow, an online referral must be completed on a family’s behalf by a member of the child’s JHH medical team. Families may not self refer. If your hospital contact is unfamiliar with the referral process or needs the login information, please have them contact our Family Care Coordinator at 410-614-2560.
Once a referral has been received on your family’s behalf, we will process your request while taking into consideration the severity of your child’s condition and the nature of your visit. We strive to accommodate as many families as possible and often have a long waiting list.
We contact families directly to let them know if/when we are able to accommodate their request for housing. Due to the high number of requests we receive, we cannot contact families if we are unable to offer housing.
Amenities
While staying at one of Believe In Tomorrow’s hospital housing facilities, we aim to provide you with a home-away-from-home while your child is in the hospital. Below are some of the amenities we can offer you at each location:
The Believe In Tomorrow Children’s House at Johns Hopkins
- Each bedroom has two queen beds and private bathroom.
- Sheets and towels provided.
- Common kitchens on each floor with personal refrigerator and pantry storage.
- Coin-operated washer and dryer.
- Wireless internet throughout house.
- Computer and printer stations.
- Play areas for all age children (toddlers – teenagers).
- Gated parking lot, limited to one vehicle per family.
- Walking distance to hospital entrance (less than 2 blocks).
The Believe In Tomorrow House at St. Casimir
- Each private apartment is outfitted with a kitchenette, living & dining room, bathroom, bedroom with at least two queen beds, cable tv, and wi-fi.
- Sheets and towels provided.
- Play area with flat screen tv, Wii, toys, games, books.
- Common kitchen and dining area.
- Coin-operated washer and dryer.
- Gated courtyard and private deck overlooking the Baltimore Harbor.
Families at both locations can enjoy:
- Hundreds of movies to select from.
- Hundreds of Xbox, Wii, and Playstation games.
- Books, toys, puzzles, games, and crafts.
- Travel-size personal items if you forget anything.
- Cots and cribs (upon request).
- Full-service elevator.
- Handicap accessories such as wheelchair, shower chair, and other devices available upon request.
- Volunteer van driver services, as available.
- All activities listed below, including family suppers and passes to attractions.
Activities
While staying at one of Believe In Tomorrow’s hospital housing locations, families are encouraged to participate in many activities, including:
Family Suppers
Enjoy a home-cooked meal 5-6 times a week, generously hosted by local volunteer groups.
Volunteer Van Drivers
Allow our volunteer van drivers to transport you to the grocery store, mall, or local attractions. Van drivers are not always available and schedules may vary. Please see a staff member upon arrival for details.
Therapy Dogs
If you’re missing your family pet, visit with our trained furry friends from Fido’s for Freedom and National Capitol Therapy Dogs three times a month.
Local Attractions
Take advantage of our complimentary passes to places like the National Aquarium, the Maryland Zoo, the Maryland Science Center, Port Discovery Children’s Museum, and other local Baltimore attractions.
Baseball Tickets
Enjoy a trip to Camden Yards to see the Baltimore Orioles take on their American League competition. Tickets are available for select games, and usually include a parking pass.
Arts & Crafts
Participate in various creative activities with volunteers on a weekly basis.
Massage Therapy
Let your cares melt away with a free massage from our volunteer professional massage therapist twice a month.
Seasonal Activities
Family BBQ’s, ice cream parties, marshmallow roasting, cookie baking, gingerbread housing decorating, and much more!
How you can support our programs
It costs $92.00 per night to operate and maintain each room at our hospital housing facilities. We ask families that are able to contribute $20 per night for the length of their stay. Additional donations are always appreciated and allow us to make these facilities and services available to other families in need. Families should talk to staff prior to check out if there are any financial concerns. Families with us for an extended stay can arrange a monthly recurring payment.
FAQ’s
How do the referral selection and waiting list work?
A tentative schedule is planned midway through the month for the following month, leaving room for emergency cases and extensions of current families in the house. Generally, we are unable to confirm room requests until several days prior to your requested check-in date. If we do not have a room available for your requested dates, you will automatically be placed on the waiting list. The waiting list is not maintained on a first-come, first-served basis. Children in the greatest medical need are considered first, followed by any outpatient and one night visits.
What is the fee for Believe In Tomorrow’s hospital housing program?
It costs $92.00 per night to operate and maintain each room at each of our hospital housing facilities. We ask families to contribute a reduced rate of $20 per night for the length of their stay. Additional donations are always appreciated and allow us to make these facilities and services available to other families in need. Families should talk to staff prior to check out if there are any financial concerns.
Am I able to have a third party pay my expenses?
Yes. Insurance, friends, relatives, donors or other organizations can cover the partial or full cost of your stay. Please provide us with the necessary information so we can collect payment from any and all parties. The paying party may also contact our Family Care Coordinator with any questions or to arrange payment.
What do I need to know after a room has been confirmed?
After you receive a call confirming your room, you can prepare your family’s stay by arranging necessary travel/transportation. Be sure to pack appropriately for the length of your stay. You may bring groceries to store in the personal pantry and refrigerator spaces.Plan to check in between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET on your arrival date. Please contact us if circumstances do not allow for you to check in during this time frame. The Family Care Coordinator or another staff member will help you check in by describing our policies and procedures, touring you through the facility, and answering any questions you may have.
Do you provide transportation for families?
No. Occasionally, volunteer van drivers are available to take families to and from the grocery store, pharmacy, bank, and local attractions. Please ask a staff member for more information upon arrival. Believe In Tomorrow is not able to provide transportation to or from the airport, but we can help you arrange for local airport shuttles and/or cab services. The Believe In Tomorrow Children’s House at Johns Hopkins is less than two blocks from the hospital’s front entrance, so driving is usually not necessary or recommended. Upon special request, the hospital shuttle can pick you up.
Where do I park?
If you are traveling by car, you will receive one free parking pass upon check in for the gated lot directly behind the Believe In Tomorrow Children’s House at Johns Hopkins. If you are staying at the Believe In Tomorrow House at St. Casimir, you will receive a permit for this lot to use when visiting the hospital. Free street parking is available at the House at St. Casimir.
Do you provide meals?
Yes, sometimes. Five to six times per week, family suppers are provided by generous volunteers to all families and their guests. Aside from these meals, you will need to provide the majority of your groceries throughout your stay. We do provide some food items in our “Free Food” pantries.
How many family members can stay in a room?
Due to fire codes, no more than six people can stay in a room. Only one room is allowed per family. Each room has two queen size beds, with cots and portable cribs available upon request.
While my child is in the hospital, what can my other children do?
All children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while staying at Believe In Tomorrow’s hospital housing facilities. No child may be left in the house or bedroom unmonitored. Believe In Tomorrow does not provide babysitting services, but other family members (grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc.) or friends are welcome to visit to allow both parents a chance to see their child in the hospital. In addition to playrooms, many fun activities are available to all members of the family.
Can family and friends send cards or care packages while staying at the house?
Yes. Packages, letters, cards, and flowers can be sent and will be held at the front desk or put in your mail slot. Please direct everything to be sent to:
The Believe In Tomorrow Children’s HouseAttn: [Family Name & Room Number]
1915 McElderry Street
Baltimore, MD 21205
What security measures are in place?
The safety and well being of our families is a top priority at Believe In Tomorrow’s hospital housing facilities. Both facilities are locked 24/7, accessible only with a unique key given to each family. Johns Hopkins Hospital security monitors the gated parking lot and surrounding premises and is also available to escort you to/from the hospital upon request.