tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56567915598795188422024-03-12T20:08:44.436-07:00My Little Waiting Room: Drop-in Childcare at the HospitalWhere Children Thrive as Families HealUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-52702337650800688032015-05-18T11:44:00.000-07:002015-05-18T11:44:13.135-07:00Eat Pizza for GoodThis May, eat at <a href="http://www.pieology.com/locator/results_details.php?id=52&dist=" target="_blank">Pie-ology's NE Portland shop</a> and they'll donate 20% of your purchase to My Little Waiting Room. How cool is that? Thanks Pie-ology!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-48975935744161473242015-05-10T11:29:00.000-07:002015-05-18T11:49:26.529-07:00My Little Waiting Room MilestoneJust in time for Mother's Day, My Little Waiting Room has reached a big milestone: 28,000 child visits served and counting!<br />
<br />
Thanks to our partners at <a href="http://oregon.providence.org/our-services/m/my-little-waiting-room/" target="_blank">Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and Providence Portland</a>, their <a href="https://appsor.providence.org/giving/?foundations=8" target="_blank">foundations</a> and our donors, as well as <a href="http://www.voaor.org/Learn-About-our-Services/Children-and-Family-Services/My-Little-Waiting-Room" target="_blank">our amazing teachers</a>, we've welcomed thousands of families in just five short years with drop-in childcare for families at the hospital.<br />
<br />
Way to go team @MLWR!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-16830081504214275972015-04-10T11:13:00.000-07:002015-05-18T11:14:43.936-07:00My Little Waiting Room Turns 5!This April, My Little Waiting Room at <a href="http://oregon.providence.org/our-services/m/my-little-waiting-room/" target="_blank">Providence St. Vincent</a> celebrated its fifth birthday. So naturally, we threw a party! Thanks to our partners at Providence St. Vincent Foundation, we have this fun <a href="http://oregon.providence.org/our-services/h/how-we-care/forms-and-information/happy-birthday-my-little-waiting-room/" target="_blank">celebration video</a> to share. <br />
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Also in April My Little Waiting Room at<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/4805+NE+Glisan+St,+Portland,+OR+97213/@45.526986,-122.6138954,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x5495a0dd96a8025f:0xccf12cad6ba9a667" target="_blank"> Providence Portland</a> turned 2. <br />
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Happy Birthday everyone! Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-50218052425951268782012-06-18T15:32:00.000-07:002012-06-18T15:32:13.120-07:00Providence celebrates growth and expansion of My Little Waiting Room04/02/2012
<br />
<div pseudo="false">
<strong pseudo="false">PORTLAND, Ore.</strong> - When My
Little Waiting Room opened its doors in the spring of 2010, no one knew just how
significant it would become to families served by Providence. As the innovative,
drop-in child care center gets ready to celebrate its second birthday and
10,000th visitor, the success is evident - and plans are under way to expand the
service to a second Providence hospital.<br pseudo="false" /><br pseudo="false" />Founded by Melissa Moore and Amy Paterson, a breast cancer
survivor, My Little Waiting Room is designed to reduce the stress of hospital
visits for patients and visitors to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.
Infants through 10-year-olds are cared for at no cost, with services supported
by donations. My Little Waiting Room works with Volunteers of America to
coordinate the center's professional staff.<br pseudo="false" /><br pseudo="false" />Since opening its doors April 5, 2010, the center has blossomed
as one of the most beloved spots in the hospital for thousands of young
visitors. Parents dealing with appointments or visiting hospitalized loved ones
have repeatedly expressed their gratitude for the services. Some families -
dealing with long-term health issues - use the center daily or several times a
week, for weeks at a time. Grateful parents say the center provides a safe,
nurturing home away from home for their children, allowing parents a more
focused time with loved ones or during a medical appointment.<br pseudo="false" /><br pseudo="false" />The community has warmly welcomed My Little
Waiting Room with regular gifts of toys and financial contributions. Operations
are funded through hundreds of donations to Providence St. Vincent Medical
Foundation, totaling more than $310,000 to date. A significant gift last year
allowed the center to expand availability to 40 hours a week.<br pseudo="false" /><br pseudo="false" />The program has proved so successful in
serving the needs of patients and their families Providence is adding a second
My Little Waiting Room, located at Providence Portland Medical Center. "Things
are still in the early stages, but we're very excited about bringing this to
more families on the Eastside," said Melissa Moore. "We've also received calls
from other hospitals across the country asking about how they could start their
own service. We've always believed that if health clubs and department stores
can offer a service like this, hospitals can, too."</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-83339383905785994902012-06-18T15:27:00.000-07:002012-06-18T15:28:36.606-07:00My Little Waiting Room Co-Founder Tapped for National Advisory BoardKids II has tapped My Little Waiting Room co-founder Amy Paterson to join their inaugural Bright Starts Pink Power Mom Advisory Committee. Amy was named a Pink Power Mom by Bright Starts in 2008, and was the poster model and Super Pink Power Mom for the program's 2009 search campaign. Amy joins a committee of seven community leaders from around the country who will help drive new initiatives in the fight against breast cancer. Here's a link to the press release: <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kids-ii-revamps-bright-starts-pink-power-mom-program-creates-committee-to-drive-new-initiatives-in-fight-against-breast-cancer-158877365.html">Kids II Revamps Bright Starts' Pink Power Mom Program</a>. We look forward to continued involvement with this wonderful organization!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-20106926427207372952011-04-21T17:21:00.000-07:002011-04-21T17:26:41.163-07:00Happy 1st Birthday to My Little Waiting Room!Watch our first birthday celebration <a href="http://youtu.be/wJvYxv44ZP4">here</a>. <br />
<br />
What a year it's been! We are so thankful to so many people:<br />
<br />
1. To the more than 1,000 families who made more than 4,000 visists to My Little Waiting Room over the course of our first year, thank you for sharing your children with us.<br />
<br />
2. To the leadership teams at <a href="http://oregon.providence.org/patients/facilities/providence-st-vincent-medical-center/Pages/default.aspx?utm_source=-oregon&utm_medium=redirect&utm_campaign=old-site">Providence St. Vincent</a> and <a href="http://voaor.org/">Volunteers of America Oregon</a>, thank you for your vision and dedication to serving families in our community.<br />
<br />
3. To our donors, thank you for making it possible to provide this service at no cost to families, and for enabling My Little Waiting Room to expand our hours to 40 a week, up from our initial 30.<br />
<br />
4. To the staff from Volunteers of America, Oregon, thank you for your gifted professionalism and spirit. You make every child who walks through the door feel special.<br />
<br />
5. To everyone who has supported us along the way, know that you are helping to make a meaningful, positive difference for many.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-77187184769322278392010-12-30T10:44:00.000-08:002010-12-30T21:05:30.824-08:00My Little Waiting Room Honored at 2010 Portland Monthly Light a Fire Awards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5FauWd4q1MbAcxh-gWIkobity9KpmSFRyp8d1YIhMfo3eoXgs2tAy8QgB1jWxgfUPHZ6HRRw_3kXz86C2JxYkoHvTIMCu2uw_xCn1ycLMvgxjYtuMWFPK4bxh2IdHQ0SibB9SdOGi0k1/s1600/Melissa+Moore+%2526+Amy+Paterson+Photo+Credit+Jamie+Lyn+and+Portland+Monthly+Magazine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5FauWd4q1MbAcxh-gWIkobity9KpmSFRyp8d1YIhMfo3eoXgs2tAy8QgB1jWxgfUPHZ6HRRw_3kXz86C2JxYkoHvTIMCu2uw_xCn1ycLMvgxjYtuMWFPK4bxh2IdHQ0SibB9SdOGi0k1/s320/Melissa+Moore+%2526+Amy+Paterson+Photo+Credit+Jamie+Lyn+and+Portland+Monthly+Magazine.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>Thanks to Portland Monthly magazine for honoring us with their 2010 Light a Fire Nonprofit award, and putting together this wonderful <a href="http://vimeo.com/17387870">video</a>, <a href="http://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/arts-and-entertainment/category/charity-events/articles/light-a-fire-1110/4/">story</a> and photo. All of these photos are courtesy of Jamie Coughlin and Portland Monthly magazine.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-23555936396220345732010-12-30T10:38:00.000-08:002010-12-30T10:38:05.106-08:00Read about My Little Waiting Room at AOL Good NewsThanks to AOL Good News, writer David Moye and our friend Megan for this great story about My Little Waiting Room! Click the link above to read all about it. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-87033790018123575592010-10-10T19:11:00.000-07:002010-10-10T19:11:25.344-07:00My Little Waiting Room Fall Update (2010)Dear Friends:<br />
<br />
Happy fall! We have a few exciting updates to share with you:<br />
<br />
<strong>1. My Little Waiting Room has served 2,000 appointments!</strong> In just six months since our opening on April 5, we met this major milestone. Visit <a href="http://www.mylittlewaitingroom.org/test">www.mylittlewaitingroom.org/test</a> to read heartwarming comments from our trailblazing first families. One mom sums up her experience by saying, "Thank you for allowing me to take care of my son while you take care of my daughter." <br />
<br />
<strong>2. We've raised nearly $99,000.</strong> Wow! Special thanks go to the following organizations that made donations recently: Ikea (again!) Walmart, Hitachi, Providence Health System Federal Credit Union (again!), Celebration of the Creche for Children and Providence St. Vincent Employees (again!). And thanks to all of you friends and family members for your generosity! Visit <a href="http://www.providencefoundations.org/foundations/news-and-events/Pages/hospital-drop-in-child-care.aspx">www.providencefoundations.org/foundations/news-and-events/Pages/hospital-drop-in-child-care.aspx</a> to read details about the service and/or donate. <br />
<br />
<strong>3. Light a Fire.</strong> We are a finalist for Portland Monthly magazine's Light a Fire award called, "Purely for the Love." We'll find out on Oct. 27 if we've won. Thanks to friends Shawn Jones and Erika Simms for getting us nominated!<br />
<br />
<strong>4. It's official.</strong> Thanks to our pro-bono intellectual property attorney Chris Erickson at Tonkon Torp, MY LITTLE WAITING ROOM® is now a registered trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. <br />
<br />
<strong>5. Do You Tube? </strong>We tube. See inside our first location on Tony Martinez' Better TV story on our new YouTube channel. Visit us there at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/mylittlewaitingroom">www.youtube.com/mylittlewaitingroom</a> and hear one family's heartwarming story.<br />
<br />
As always, thank you for your good wishes and support!<br />
<br />
Amy & Melissa, Co-founders<br />
My Little Waiting Room<br />
<a href="http://www.mylittlewaitingroom.org/">http://www.mylittlewaitingroom.org/</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-70342101476012648962010-05-13T16:25:00.000-07:002010-05-13T16:31:06.906-07:00Do you know a Pink Power Mom? Nominate her today!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9OzsmZNAdInpFEF5bx2QY9RS2dSINWWsWE0lYkCoIKzGlzOVyKj2Tkx7CmOYEDuQsAAGBVMPLUI7M5tDqCcaseDEEw6lI3tFViJlOQcspiwDj0TeOuH9H0M9GrxxIZYJtdCmSQ_Wcl7M/s1600/BrightStarts_BaFBaG_Mother_300x250_rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9OzsmZNAdInpFEF5bx2QY9RS2dSINWWsWE0lYkCoIKzGlzOVyKj2Tkx7CmOYEDuQsAAGBVMPLUI7M5tDqCcaseDEEw6lI3tFViJlOQcspiwDj0TeOuH9H0M9GrxxIZYJtdCmSQ_Wcl7M/s320/BrightStarts_BaFBaG_Mother_300x250_rev1.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div>Do you know a mom who is a breast cancer survivor who deserves recognition for her work in the community? <br />
<br />
Through June 30 Bright Starts is accepting nominations for 2010 Pink Power Moms. <br />
<br />
Nominate her at <a href="http://www.pinkpowermom.com/">http://www.pinkpowermom.com/</a>. If your nominee is chosen, My Little Waiting Room could receive $2,500 and she’ll receive $5,000 to donate to the charity of her choosing and pampering gifts just for her. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div></div>All you need to do is share a short essay (250 words or less) about the Pink Power Mom in your life:<br />
<ul><li>how she is an inspiration to her family, friends and community</li>
<li>how she turned her experience into something positive and </li>
<li>the work she does to remain involved with the cause.</li>
</ul><br />
<div></div>Thanks to Bright Starts and this wonderful program, My Little Waiting Room has met some incredible people and received tremendous support and visibility over the past two years. We look forward to meeting the 2010 Pink Power Moms and reading their inspirational stories!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-55643052756040610612010-05-13T16:17:00.000-07:002010-05-13T16:30:30.128-07:00Click for Good<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGb5DpmwDJDLzhlQD01Oz-Cj6Tkk4VLp7xpzZieHU-HeGOmNbFKTE4IP7rHRiaqCcnQ-OxYox_sfUbpzY9dY_QmfbvoSU1x7f8olLYWQGYEKlqwIpzhRNO3DyOZexr3kAMU6VZPrLm1hS/s1600/BrightStarts_BaFBaG_Mother_300x250_rev2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGb5DpmwDJDLzhlQD01Oz-Cj6Tkk4VLp7xpzZieHU-HeGOmNbFKTE4IP7rHRiaqCcnQ-OxYox_sfUbpzY9dY_QmfbvoSU1x7f8olLYWQGYEKlqwIpzhRNO3DyOZexr3kAMU6VZPrLm1hS/s200/BrightStarts_BaFBaG_Mother_300x250_rev2.jpg" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div>Bright Starts will donate $1 to Pink Power Mom charities (that includes us!) for every new Facebook Fan who joins their site by June 30. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/BrightStarts">Click here</a> to become a Bright Starts fan and help My Little Waiting Room bring drop-in childcare to families at the hospital.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-73299423427422779322010-05-01T18:16:00.000-07:002010-05-01T18:22:40.882-07:00Honor Your Mother, Help Another<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-aTGgZLc3TG9jsVtzG6tQ4RbRWLcLIRZ8xJiYFR5SauhzPmqMGmV1ImO_Rr7CQCmOahZtmJPJTdO2i7yw-XE9dkJC6Hxd6R1E7qC0ECJ-AzEwJ8LyjzMV4VwoeJKhC2oKSXSvRjyF8Xh/s1600/doctor-dan-and-mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-aTGgZLc3TG9jsVtzG6tQ4RbRWLcLIRZ8xJiYFR5SauhzPmqMGmV1ImO_Rr7CQCmOahZtmJPJTdO2i7yw-XE9dkJC6Hxd6R1E7qC0ECJ-AzEwJ8LyjzMV4VwoeJKhC2oKSXSvRjyF8Xh/s200/doctor-dan-and-mom.jpg" tt="true" width="151" /></a></div>Mother's Day is Sunday, May 9. Honor your mom with a gift to My Little Waiting Room and help another mom. Your gift is fully tax-decutible. Just $15 underwrites one hour of child care for a family in need. We'll send her a special note letting her know that you've given a gift in her honor. Now that's a gift that many mothers could love! <a href="http://mylittlewaitingroom.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-to-donate.html">Click here to donate</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-46907060810817083332010-04-10T17:30:00.000-07:002010-04-10T17:30:06.906-07:00Now Open! My Little Waiting Room at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center Operated by Volunteers of America Oregon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdjzJ1FjQg79vvQBGUyEgnnZqMP6kEagQW9EG8u31LCYz4h0Q-_faYX2SZP2UNCpEdx4RMJ8u7F756n99YO5IA0nj7yimjpyaltML8UiCKYmQf0QIgLNvW5tfx6e-vJF-eyc88XsvWf8J/s1600/Orchid+from+Toni+Mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdjzJ1FjQg79vvQBGUyEgnnZqMP6kEagQW9EG8u31LCYz4h0Q-_faYX2SZP2UNCpEdx4RMJ8u7F756n99YO5IA0nj7yimjpyaltML8UiCKYmQf0QIgLNvW5tfx6e-vJF-eyc88XsvWf8J/s320/Orchid+from+Toni+Mountain.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
It's been a three years in the making journey . . . now we are so happy to report that My Little Waiting Room at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center is now open and serving families!<br />
<br />
In our first week of operation, My Little Waiting Room served 28 families and 38 children, most of whom said that without this service, they would not have been able to get to their medical appointments. We heard many heartfelt stories that we look forward to sharing in the coming weeks and months. We were just so glad to be there for them.<br />
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My Little Waiting Room at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center offers free on-site child care for families at the hospital and their visitors weekdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. For more information or to make reservations, call 503-216-MLWR (6597), or visit <a href="http://www.providence.org/oregon/mylittlewaitingroom">www.providence.org/oregon/mylittlewaitingroom</a>. <br />
<br />
The service is operated by <a href="http://www.voaor.org/">Volunteers of America Oregon</a>, a local non-profit organization with a depth of experience providing professional child care for families in need. Volunteers of America Oregon has been working in partnership with My Little Waiting Room and Providence St. Vincent for more than a year to develop this offering. They have skillfully navigated us through the oregon child care center certification process and have hired three delightful, paid, professional care givers to staff My Little Waiting Room.<br />
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So many organizations and individuals have come together to create this service for families in our community, and helped us dedicate and bless the space on March 18. It is thanks to all of these committed people that families in our community now have an easier path to health and well-being. <br />
<br />
This free service wouldn't be possible without donations to Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation. For information about how to donate, <a href="http://mylittlewaitingroom.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-to-donate.html">click here.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-84936672941678672009-11-28T12:59:00.000-08:002010-04-13T20:42:00.803-07:00How to DonateMy Little Waiting Room at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center is entirely funded through donations. This first center will help thousands of families in Portland, Oregon and also nationally when we share what we've learned with others across the country. Hundreds of individuals and many foundations, corporations and community organizations have donated, but more is needed. <br />
<br />
If you would like to make a tax deductible donation here's how:<br />
<br />
BY PHONE OR EMAIL<br />
Contact Tricia Sullivan, Development Officer at Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation, 503-216-6626, Tricia.Sullivan@providence.org<br />
<br />
BY MAIL<br />
1. Make a check out to “Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation.”<br />
2. Write “My Little Waiting Room Fund” in the memo line.<br />
3. Mail to: Tricia Sullivan, Development Officer, Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation, 9205 SW Barnes Road, Portland, OR 97225.<br />
<br />
ONLINE<br />
1. Click here.<br />
<form action="https://www.providence.org/donations/foundation.aspx" id="Form1" method="post" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank"><input checked="true" id="fund__My Little Waiting Room Fund__531" name="fund__My Little Waiting Room Fund__531" type="hidden" /><input id="submitBtn" name="Submit12" type="submit" /><br />
<input name="EMailTo" type="hidden" /><input id="ThankYouPage2" name="ThankYouPage2" size="6" style="width: 68px;" type="hidden" /><br />
<br />
**Mother's Day is May 9. Honor a wonderful woman in your life with a donation in her name. We'll send her a special note telling her about your gift.**</form>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-1665434126897945342009-11-28T12:50:00.000-08:002009-12-01T22:57:57.922-08:00Announcing Our First Hospital Partner!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Little could we have imagined back in July, 2006 when Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer that a year later two friends would go on to found a non-profit dedicated to bringing drop-in child care to the hospital. Nor could we have imagined a better way to find our first hospital partner.<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qQc89GhhyphenhyphenkZ7g2UnymDOPxOMWjTByoaYXJCRqv51VFcTmaiObO7Vkg5X9rxWPIilI5rSnbJHFbJRxkklnKjkHStsP_-WItgRNQoKtGCDl3Fa8rLm1r6c8fdjbp00FTipF3tkfHh38H_a/s1600/facilitiesPSVHome%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qQc89GhhyphenhyphenkZ7g2UnymDOPxOMWjTByoaYXJCRqv51VFcTmaiObO7Vkg5X9rxWPIilI5rSnbJHFbJRxkklnKjkHStsP_-WItgRNQoKtGCDl3Fa8rLm1r6c8fdjbp00FTipF3tkfHh38H_a/s200/facilitiesPSVHome%5B1%5D.jpg" yr="true" /></a>We met Dick Clark, Executive Director at Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation, on the advice of a friend Paula Fasano. Dick had just transferred from Providence Portland where he had spearheaded the multi-million dollar fundraising effort to create a new cancer center. He and his wife had also just celebrated the completion of her cancer treatment. It was March, 2008. <br />
</div><br />
We expected Dick to advise us on how we might convince a hospital to create drop-in child care for patients’ and their visitors’ children. Instead Dick surprised us by saying, “I think it’s a great idea! You had me at hello. Let’s build it here!”<br />
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Dick introduced us to Alex Jackson, Associate Administrator at <a href="http://www.providence.org/Oregon/facilities/hospitals/providence_st_vincent">Providence St. Vincent Medical Center</a>. As a father of two young children, Alex immediately saw the potential in our project, and joined our effort. The two became our biggest champions for bringing drop-in child care to the hospital to ease the way for patients and their families. <br />
<br />
Soon after those first few meetings, Dick secured the foundation trustees’ commitment for start-up funds and Alex found a space that the hospital could donate. We developed a request for proposals and found a professional child care organization to operate the service. (We will announce the name of this fantastic partner soon.) A steering committee was formed.<br />
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In November 2009, construction permits were filed with Washington County for a 1,000+ square foot, sun-lit space on the main floor of Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. Once the permits are approved, construction will begin. We hope to open by Father’s Day, 2010, if not sooner. <br />
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Along the way we have met many extraordinary people who have joined this effort to bring drop-in child care to the hospital so that children can thrive while families heal. In particular, we want to thank two steering committee members, Tricia Sullivan and Christina Oakley, who have adopted this project as their own. <br />
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Thank you to everyone else who has joined us so far. Your support will help so many families enjoy the brightest possible futures together.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-71677393895501428142009-11-16T13:14:00.000-08:002009-11-18T20:54:45.747-08:00A Magical Trip, A Wonderful Company, and Eight Inspirational Moms<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6eWFeDBavDeB26mMGWDNgowLhL-b7YCwmTISZS9mDTogDu3UpkKHsvYqqjrqivh6-iTxCOouBhUqPlbNvDBeFRCNghTkfB9kyfIxM__G3DsZNCqKTmCdhdAEJzD8s38LPvCjPOd0uSms/s1600/Gram+Pops+Visit+and+MLWR+Atlanta+Trip+092.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405673504233612194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 251px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6eWFeDBavDeB26mMGWDNgowLhL-b7YCwmTISZS9mDTogDu3UpkKHsvYqqjrqivh6-iTxCOouBhUqPlbNvDBeFRCNghTkfB9kyfIxM__G3DsZNCqKTmCdhdAEJzD8s38LPvCjPOd0uSms/s320/Gram+Pops+Visit+and+MLWR+Atlanta+Trip+092.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Before the sun came up last Friday morning, Melissa and I were on our way to warm, sunny Atlanta for a weekend celebration with Kids II, the company behind the <a href="http://www.pinkpowermom.com/">Pink Power Moms </a>program. At the airport we were greeted by a limo driver bearing pink roses and gift bags who took us to the incredible Four Seasons Hotel.<br /><br />That night we joined the 2009 Bright Starts Pink Power Moms and the Bright Starts marketing team for dinner and bowling in our own private bowling suite. As I looked around, even though I knew these women had all been through intense treatment for breast cancer, seeing them bowling, laughing and sharing stories, it was hard to imagine. These women are not just surviving breast cancer, they are thriving!<br /><br />The next day we were all treated to breakfast in our rooms, spa treatments and lunch poolside. That evening we attended Kids II's 40th anniversary party as their honored guests where we were each presented with donations to the charities of our choosing.<br /><br />Melissa and I were so happy to have the opportunity to meet our wonderful donors in person and to personally thank them for all they have done for us.<br /><br />We were so impressed by all of the people we met at Kids II, the extraordinary welcome they gave us, and their tremendous generosity. We were inspired by the Pink Power Moms, their stories and the people who have supported them in their journeys. We were honored to be the chosen charity of one of the moms.<br /><br />I look forward to watching these people and their organizations blossom in the coming years. As Maya Angelou said, "If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities." I hope the good people at Kids II know that their good work is making brighter futures possible for families everywhere. Together, we are all in very, very good company.<br /><br />Now back home, even though we were sad to leave the fairy tale weekend, as happens so often with My Little Waiting Room, I am full of a feeling of possibility. Like we've only just begun.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-43254542970828276952009-06-15T21:10:00.000-07:002009-06-15T21:19:02.967-07:00Meet My Little Waiting Room’s Summer Intern Emily MerkelWe are thrilled to welcome Emily Merkel as our very first My Little Waiting Room summer intern! Emily received a competitive $2,000 grant from Barnard Alumni Association to underwrite her work for My Little Waiting Room this summer.<br /><br />Emily is a graduate of <a href="http://www.stmaryspdx.org/">St. Mary’s Academy </a>High School in Portland, Oregon. She has just completed her third undergraduate year of studies at <a href="http://www.barnard.edu/">Barnard College </a>in New York City. She brings a background in pre-med and public health experience, including public health volunteer work in India, to our organization.<br /><br />She will be a great help as we get our organization and our first location up and running!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-68645869560347125292009-04-30T14:36:00.000-07:002009-04-30T14:41:33.438-07:00My Little Waiting Room Receives Major Funding Pledge from Bright Starts®We are thrilled to have received a $23,000 pledge from Bright Starts®, a registered brand of Kids II, Inc., a leading baby brand! <br /><br />Bright Starts will also donate infant toys and gear to equip the first My Little Waiting Room site. PLUS, they are featuring Amy and our project in a national ad in the May and June issues of American Baby magazine and the June issue of Parents magazine. This is all a result of Amy’s family friend Jennifer Snyder nominating her to be one of eight “Pink Power Moms” in the nation last year.<br /><br />If YOU know of a mom who deserves recognition for her inspirational fight against breast cancer, and a chance to receive a $5,000 donation to the breast cancer charity of her choosing, nominate her at <a href="http://www.pinkpowermom.com/">www.pinkpowermom.com</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-59217095612736924152009-03-05T20:36:00.000-08:002009-03-05T21:17:45.940-08:00My Little Waiting Room To Benefit From MOMS Club of Gresham Fundraising Event!The <a href="http://www.geocities.com/moms_club_of_gresham/MOMS_Club_of_Gresham.html">MOMS Club of Gresham </a>is holding its 5th annual scrapbook fundraiser Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at The First Baptist Church, 224 W. Powell Blvd in Gresham, Oregon. 100% of the money raised goes to <a href="http://www.mylittlewaitingroom.org">My Little Waiting Room </a>and <a href="http://www1.usw.salvationarmy.org/usw/www_usw_cascade.nsf/vw-dynamic-arrays/EAC2813C243713B180256EF4005F2359?openDocument">West Women & Children Shelter</a>. Tickets cost $10.00 pre-event or $12.00 day of event at the door. A light breakfast and lunch are provided. Door prizes will be given out every hour. There will be a silent auction and lots of raffle baskets. Reserve your spot today by calling Grace Grange, club Vice President, Cell -503-481-2847 OR Home -503-630-1919. Seating is limited. <br /><br />My Little Waiting Room is honored to be a recipient of this fundraiser. Thank you MOMS Club of Gresham!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-26665598306139463872009-02-13T16:22:00.000-08:002009-03-05T21:02:30.208-08:00My Little Waiting Room on KATU!My Little Waiting Room was profiled by KATU Channel 2 as part of their Everday Heroes series. Read about it and watch the news clip at: <br /><a href="http://www.katu.com/news/39678477.html#idc-container">www.katu.com/news/39678477.html#idc-container</a> <br />Thanks to anchorman Steve Dunn, executive producer Tracey Lam, and their team for telling our story in words and pictures so beautifully and even better than we can!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-83785900835789987272008-11-25T14:52:00.001-08:002009-01-19T15:39:23.948-08:00Who We Are<span style="font-size:85%;">MY LITTLE WAITING ROOM™ is a non-profit started by a couple of Portland moms who have the dream to bring drop-in child care to the hospital. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Our mission is to promote the health and well-being of families by bringing drop-in child care to the hospital according to the My Little Waiting Room Child's Bill of Rights: </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">1. As a child, I deserve competent care while my family member seeks medical attention.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">2. As a child, I have the right to keep learning and growing socially, emotionally and intellectually while my family members take care of their health.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">3. As a child, I deserve help managing the stress caused in my life by my family's medical situation.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">4. As a child, I need sanctuary and a place to call my own where I can seek peace, friendship and security while my family members are treated medically. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The idea was born out of Amy's experience (please see details below) and is about to become a reality in early 2009. We look forward to sharing the exciting details soon. If you have questions, please contact us at info@mylittlewaitingroom.org.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-36388119541571119112008-11-24T09:06:00.000-08:002008-11-24T09:11:30.849-08:00NW Kids magazine 11.08<p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Little Waiting Room, Jessica Davis, </span>editor<br />Portland mother Amy Paterson was just 34 with a three year old, and battling cancer. She faced 144 medical appointments last year alone, meaning she had to arrange child care 144 times before she could begin to heal.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">This ordeal prompted her to join forces with Melissa Moore to create My Little Waiting Room, a project dedicated to creating low-cost, on-site, clean and safe child care in medical facilities. The lack of such childcare is surprising; after all, you can find it at Fred Meyer, many gyms, and Ikea! </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">My Little Waiting Room is just getting off the ground and is searching for the serious funding needed to make this a reality. Things look promising thus far — Amy has just been named one of eight “2008 Pink Power Moms” in the nation by toymaker Bright Starts. She is one of seven women across the country “who has displayed amazing strength as a breast cancer survivor, fighting for a cure.” As part of this award, Kids II Foundation and Bright Starts will donate $1,000 to help open the first My Little Waiting Room to help mothers make — and keep — their important medical appointments. </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-85971417732900491822008-09-02T11:07:00.000-07:002008-09-02T11:29:32.168-07:00The Oregonian, 8.28.2008<div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Cancer diagnosis spurs acts of giving back</span><p><span style="font-size:85%;">By Jenn Director Knudsen, Special to The Oregonian<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Diagnosed two years ago with Stage 3 breast cancer, Amy Paterson traipsed to nearly 150 medical visits: chemotherapy, radiation, a double mastectomy, physical therapy, an exercise study, nutrition consultations and more. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">A young public relations professional, Paterson could put the job on hold. But not the care of son, Jonah, just 21/2. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Paterson had her husband and a stable of supportive friends and family. But what about women -- any ailing parent, for that matter -- with no support system? </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">She knew studies show that women caregivers often delay or avoid medical visits because they lack child care. She discovered that Ikea, Fred Meyer, some movie theaters, the Multnomah County court system, the Southwest Community Center and other places offer on-site child care. But not one local medical facility did. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">So Paterson and friend Melissa Moore, with the help of a $5,000 award from the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund, developed My Little Waiting Room, a program to provide low-cost, on-site, clean and safe child care for kids 11 and younger in any medical facility. It's set to become a nonprofit in December. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Paterson, 36, is one of a growing number of young people who, once finished with cancer treatment, are compelled and energized to make a difference for others. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"We're now looking at cancer as a chronic disease instead of a death sentence," said Selma Annala, supervisor of Cancer Integrative and Support Services with Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center in Northwest Portland. She's worked with cancer patients for more than 20 years. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"Cancer has a huge emotional impact," Annala said. "It's a lifelong thing, and that brings about the reason for someone to use (his or her) cancer experience to give back," she said.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">(rest of article online)</span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-83947532521722951332008-09-02T10:00:00.000-07:002008-09-09T10:00:24.656-07:00KPTV Fox-12, 8.31.08<span style="font-size:85%;">"A trio of Portland moms developing a plan to provide low-cost childcare at Portland area hospitals. Their non-profit group is developing a demonstration project to show how the idea would work. They say no area hospitals offer drop-in childcare while the patient goes to the hospital for treatment. KPTV's Jim Hyde talked with one of the moms about My Little Waiting Room Project..."</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5656791559879518842.post-58166929384494743912008-07-07T15:35:00.000-07:002008-07-28T15:59:40.480-07:00The Portland Business Journal, 6.27.08<span style="font-size:85%;"><strong style="font-family: georgia;">Time for hospitals to help families in a new way<br /></strong><span style="font-family: georgia;">by </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" id="EC_byline" href="http://www.bizjournals.com/search/results.html?Ntt=" target="_blank" ntk="All&Ntx=mode">Amy Paterson and Melissa Moore</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Portland-area hospitals are trying new and innovative ways to better meet patient needs and in turn build patient loyalty, improve hospital efficiencies and enhance effectiveness.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">In their efforts to deliver a more patient-centered approach to care, many are offering a more integrated set of services. For example many cancer patients now benefit from a single point of contact to guide them through the complex maze of specialists, treatment options and issues. We applaud these efforts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">But there is one need that no hospital in Portland is addressing. In fact, only a handful of hospitals across the globe have stepped up to the challenge.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet organizations in our community such as Ikea, Fred Meyer, 24 Hour Fitness, Southwest Community Center, Academy Theater, Multnomah County Courthouse, and even Zenana Spa have figured it out. We're talking about drop-in child care.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">The hospital is a place where many families are in crisis. A parent or child is there seeking needed medical care, yet for the child not needing medical attention, there is no place to go to play and de-stress. So the little person sits idly in the waiting room, toddles through hallways, or finds refuge with a kindly, though likely overextended nurse.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">And that's if the family even makes the scheduled medical appointment. Some moms put off needed exams for years due to a lack of child care, other family members cancel appointments at the last minute because pre-arranged child care falls through, while still other parents simply endure the stress of bringing their child along only to be interrupted or distracted while the doctor shares vital information.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is a familiar experience. Amy, one of the authors of this article, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 34, with a 2-year-old child at the time. She had 140 medical appointments to make that year. And she is one of the lucky ones with a helpful husband, nearby family and friends ready to jump in and help. Yet, still it was hard to arrange for someone to watch their son 140 times.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">She is not alone. Our Web survey found more than 90 percent of parents said arranging child care so that they or another family member could attend medical appointments is sometimes or always a challenge.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nearly three-quarters of parents surveyed said that they or a family member has had to miss or reschedule one or more medical appointments due to lack of child care resources. Half said that lack of child care has been an obstacle to their ability to access health care. The majority say they would use drop-in child care at the doctor, and that they would pay for this service.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">As Oregon welcomes its largest baby boom since the 1970s and hospitals seek new ways to become more patient-friendly, we believe it's time for them to offer drop-in child care.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">So let's set aside the potential barriers of space, liability and funding. Hospitals that find room for multiple conference rooms and gift shops, deal with near-death situations daily, or raise millions of dollars for a new wing can do this. After all, it's not brain surgery, it's just child care.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Amy Paterson, a vice president at Lane PR, was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund to start a pilot drop-in child care program at a local hospital. Melissa Moore, a vice president at MAP Communications, is Amy's co-founder of My Little Waiting Room. They can be contacted at info@mylittlewaitingroom.org.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">All contents of this site © American City Business Journals Inc. All rights reserved.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com