Community - Community Grants

Fun is big on the agenda as families gather. A typical Family Day is staffed by six clinical staff members and three or more volunteers to create serious fun and a real break from the daily cancer experience. It takes a total of 14 people to prepare & produce the day.

Typical Activities from some recent Family Days

Welcome Snacks: Everyone gathers to meet and share juice, coffee, fruit, and
breakfast treats.

Family Yoga: Parents and children line up on their mats for yoga instruction and
stretches to start the day.

Drumming: Families are outfitted with their own individual drums and launch into an
hour of surprises as they learn to drum out greetings and feelings. The excitement and
anticipation build; this is tough competition for sadness.

Magic: A magician takes a room full of parents and children on a mysterious journey
into FUN. The cares of the moment dissolve into smiles, as who can resist magic in
their lives!

Art Workshop: The theme of the day carries into art activities. Families join to create
their own family crest. A kid-only session allows boys and girls to each shape their
personal magic hat and wand to create powerful new magic.

Parents Chat Time: Time out for parents to share, reach out and support each other.

Play Time: The children enjoy special activities together.

Lunch is served! Everyone comes together for socializing. At least for a memorable
day, the burden of cancer seems a little lighter.

Each Family’s Journey

Each family or individual that comes to Ann’s Place is treated with respect and special attention. Their personal circumstances and wishes dictate how they will use services over time, from parents’ group, to couples therapy, art therapy, to individual work with the children and adults, to activities like yoga, tai chi, writing or dance therapy, or home and hospital visits. This connection continues at the pace and for a duration dictated by our clients’ needs, as there is no cookie cutter one-size-fits-all formula at Ann’s Place. A family may stay connected for weeks, months or several years. As survivorship stewards, we help develop coping skills and offer counseling, educational, wellness and nutritional information and diverse tools for living in a new post-cancer world.

Just Magic! How BI Cares Foundation is improving the lives of some of the most vulnerable children and families in the community through the year-round programs at Ann’s Place.

Family Day events provide an important complement to Family Action Network programs.

Family members are able to connect with others in very similar situations and celebrate their progress or tame their fears in a mutually supportive relationship. For children, this means discovering for the first time other kids also have a dad, mom or sibling with cancer. This is a positive and powerful message to receive and remember.

Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation and Ann’s Place

In electing to support Ann’s Place through our Family Action Network Program, BI Cares Foundation has made a truly significant gift. This support translates into a sense of hope, optimism, and a view of the future for these families challenged by cancer and by extension, enriches their and our communities. Well done, BI Cares Foundation!