Family House Provides Home Away From Home
The Peoria area is already known for its outstanding medical community, and plans are in the works to expand and enrich that legacy even further. But when out-of-towners come to our community to take advantage of its world class care, where do their families stay? Options such as hotels may make it too cost prohibitive for visitors to support loved ones in times of medical crises. Fortunately, Family House fills the void for many people.
A Home Away From Home
Peg Murphy, executive director of Family House, said the organization’s mission is to provide a “home away from home,” low-cost housing, and supportive services for families with patients in area hospitals or nursing homes. “We’ve expanded our mission to include people who are receiving outpatient services,” she said. “We’ve had a number of people from the eating disorder program offered at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center stay at the house for months at a time while they attend a daily program. A number of people have stayed who are receiving radiation treatment from Methodist Medical Center—often at a six-week stretch.”
Family House is located at 1509 N. Knoxville. This home, built in 1894, was chosen because it’s located just two blocks from OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Murphy said. “The house was built as a single-family residence for Peter Spurck, who was in the brick paving business, but over 100-plus years, it’s had many boarders and renters. The Family House board voted to purchase the house in 1984 from John J. Murphy, whose family had owned the property for 50 years. Mr. Murphy was very pleased the home would serve such a useful purpose and that it’s stately structure would be admired by so many.”
Family House put the large residence to good use, blocking out rooms for sleeping, as well as other activity rooms that make Family House as close to home as possible. “The house has 30 total rooms; 14 are bedrooms, which allow for an occupancy of 30 on a nightly basis. Beyond the numerous bedrooms, the house has five bathrooms, four kitchens, an office, a laundry room, and a variety of dining rooms, TV lounges, and living rooms. There’s also an attached apartment that has its own kitchen and bathroom. The location provides access to restaurants and grocery shopping,” she said.
Murphy said from 1991 through September of this year, the cost for a night’s lodging at the Family House was $15—$30 for the apartment. As of October, the price is now $20 for rooms and $40 for the apartment. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to maintain that rate for 11 years as we did previously. No one is ever turned away because they can’t pay, however.”
The only pre-requisite for guests is that a loved one is a patient in the hospital, or the guests are receiving medical services themselves, Murphy said. “We do require our guests to respect the rights of others and follow the few house rules that govern behavior. The basic rule is the house is totally non-smoking, and people who wish to smoke must do so outside. We allow children to stay at Family House as long as they have adult supervision at all times. We’re always trying to balance the needs of one family with the needs of all of our guests.”
Murphy said Family House’s main service is safe, comfortable, low-cost lodging. But the other services provided by the agency can be just as important. “Possibly as important is the hospitality and caring provided to our guests by our 24-hour staff. We recognize the importance of guests receiving their phone calls and messages as promptly as possible. The person staying here may be the primary pipeline for information about the patient to the rest of the family unable to be at the bedside. Sometimes a guest just needs someone to talk to when they wake up worried about their patient. Our staff person is always available to them. Each of the hospitals provides free transportation back and forth to the hospital at any hour of the day or night. “The holidays are fast approaching, and we make a special effort to decorate and be festive. We have treats for Halloween and cook big meals for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. We know how hard it is to be away from home for the holidays—especially when you’re dealing with a medical crisis.”
Identifying the Need
Murphy said the Junior League of Peoria should receive the majority of credit for organizing community leaders into a task force and developing the plan for a hospital hospitality house in 1983. “The task force spoke to all of the area hospitals and found more people were coming to the area for hospitalization from farther away. Because many of these families had critically ill patients, they didn’t want to leave the vicinity of the hospital. The waiting rooms were becoming overcrowded with people sleeping in chairs. The hospital staff realized families that stayed more than a few days had needs for care themselves. They needed a place to shower, maybe do some laundry, or at a minimum stretch out for an uninterrupted night’s sleep.”
Several options were considered before deciding on the concept of Family House. “Some people thought a Ronald McDonald House would be the route to purse. But they have a house in Springfield and rarely locate another house within a 90-mile radius. Also, that type of house only serves the families of pediatric patients, and our hospitals indicated families of adult patients had housing needs as well,” she said.
In an effort to keep the nightly fee as low as possible for guests, Murphy said the board of directors has always approved an operating budget that included considerable fundraising dollars. “As the operating needs have grown, so has the need for contributions. We receive no grants or United Way funding. As a private, not-for-profit agency, we’re fortunate to receive donations from some local organizations that have special events on our behalf. Most recently, the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity had a 24-hour Teeter-Totter-A-Thon at the corner of Main Street and University and raised more than $2,000 for us. The members of Evening Entre Nous had an auction in the middle of October and raised more than $4,000.”
She said businesses and individuals often help by donating items needed to operate the house and make the guests as comfortable as possible. “OSF Saint Francis Medical Center has given us paper products and cleaning supplies, and picks up the cost for our printing needs. The other two hospitals help pick up the cost for postage on our annual mailing to donors. We publish a wish list of things we have to purchase in our quarterly newsletter, and many times someone will come to the door with a bag filled with items from that list. The miniature soaps, shampoos, and other hygiene products are donated by the traveling public with our thanks.”
Family House is planning a holiday fundraiser, staging the first annual Christmas Magic Luncheon November 29 at the Hotel Pere Marquette immediately following the annual Santa Claud Parade. “Guests arriving at the ballroom will be greeted by elves and will join in the singing of Christmas carols. Santa’s arrival by fire truck, a special magic show, personal visits by Christmas Wish Princesses, and a tree-lighting ceremony are some of the highlights on tap for children. Sport’s Magic will be making children happy with their special balloon art. Photos with Santa will be available for $5. Admission is $10 for children, $15 for adults, and includes a festive lunch box for children and a deli plate for adults, plus dessert.
“Raffle tickets will be sold in advance and at the Pere Marquette on the day of the event. Among the prizes are boys’ and girls’ bicycles from Russell’s Cycling and Fitness Center, a handmade gingerbread house, a miniature firehouse and dollhouse, and tickets to the Nutcracker. For reservations, call the Family House at 685-5300,” she said.
Murphy said the Christmas Magic Luncheon will serve a couple of purposes. “We understand our local community may not know our organization as well as we would like because they don’t need to stay here. It’s our hope this event will tie families with Family House and more people will become familiar with who we are and what we do. Of course, we hope to make some money to help our fundraising efforts too.”
Murphy, who has been executive director at Family House for more than 11 years, said she feels fortunate to have met and helped the people who have come through the house over the years—both guests and co-workers. “Each person has brought their own energy, creative talent, and commitment to making Family House the type of home in which they would be proud to stay. I’ve learned and shared so much with guests who are strangers upon arrival, but many times leave as dear friends. I’ve had to hold back tears as I hear about loved ones who are hospitalized; so often, the patient is a baby. Thank goodness the joyful news of healing outweighs the sorrow from the death of a relative.”
She said the years of service in the current Family House location will soon come to an end, but bright things are ahead. “Because of the changes to I-74, our access to Knoxville will be compromised, making it more difficult for guests to get back and forth to the hospitals. We also know because of the 20,000 families we’ve helped over our 17 years, there is a great need for Family House to survive. Our board of directors is working very hard to make sure Family House continues to provide a home away from home for many more families—even though it may not be in its current location. My hope for our future is to have a home that has more bedrooms—we’re full a majority of the time and have had to turn families away—have one bathroom per bedroom, and be able to meet the needs of handicapped guests. I want to do all of this while still maintaining our warm and caring environment. I would further hope the people in our wonderfully giving community would answer the call when the time comes for Family House to make its dream a reality.” TPW
A Home Away From Home
Peg Murphy, executive director of Family House, said the organization’s mission is to provide a “home away from home,” low-cost housing, and supportive services for families with patients in area hospitals or nursing homes. “We’ve expanded our mission to include people who are receiving outpatient services,” she said. “We’ve had a number of people from the eating disorder program offered at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center stay at the house for months at a time while they attend a daily program. A number of people have stayed who are receiving radiation treatment from Methodist Medical Center—often at a six-week stretch.”
Family House is located at 1509 N. Knoxville. This home, built in 1894, was chosen because it’s located just two blocks from OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Murphy said. “The house was built as a single-family residence for Peter Spurck, who was in the brick paving business, but over 100-plus years, it’s had many boarders and renters. The Family House board voted to purchase the house in 1984 from John J. Murphy, whose family had owned the property for 50 years. Mr. Murphy was very pleased the home would serve such a useful purpose and that it’s stately structure would be admired by so many.”
Family House put the large residence to good use, blocking out rooms for sleeping, as well as other activity rooms that make Family House as close to home as possible. “The house has 30 total rooms; 14 are bedrooms, which allow for an occupancy of 30 on a nightly basis. Beyond the numerous bedrooms, the house has five bathrooms, four kitchens, an office, a laundry room, and a variety of dining rooms, TV lounges, and living rooms. There’s also an attached apartment that has its own kitchen and bathroom. The location provides access to restaurants and grocery shopping,” she said.
Murphy said from 1991 through September of this year, the cost for a night’s lodging at the Family House was $15—$30 for the apartment. As of October, the price is now $20 for rooms and $40 for the apartment. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to maintain that rate for 11 years as we did previously. No one is ever turned away because they can’t pay, however.”
The only pre-requisite for guests is that a loved one is a patient in the hospital, or the guests are receiving medical services themselves, Murphy said. “We do require our guests to respect the rights of others and follow the few house rules that govern behavior. The basic rule is the house is totally non-smoking, and people who wish to smoke must do so outside. We allow children to stay at Family House as long as they have adult supervision at all times. We’re always trying to balance the needs of one family with the needs of all of our guests.”
Murphy said Family House’s main service is safe, comfortable, low-cost lodging. But the other services provided by the agency can be just as important. “Possibly as important is the hospitality and caring provided to our guests by our 24-hour staff. We recognize the importance of guests receiving their phone calls and messages as promptly as possible. The person staying here may be the primary pipeline for information about the patient to the rest of the family unable to be at the bedside. Sometimes a guest just needs someone to talk to when they wake up worried about their patient. Our staff person is always available to them. Each of the hospitals provides free transportation back and forth to the hospital at any hour of the day or night. “The holidays are fast approaching, and we make a special effort to decorate and be festive. We have treats for Halloween and cook big meals for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. We know how hard it is to be away from home for the holidays—especially when you’re dealing with a medical crisis.”
Identifying the Need
Murphy said the Junior League of Peoria should receive the majority of credit for organizing community leaders into a task force and developing the plan for a hospital hospitality house in 1983. “The task force spoke to all of the area hospitals and found more people were coming to the area for hospitalization from farther away. Because many of these families had critically ill patients, they didn’t want to leave the vicinity of the hospital. The waiting rooms were becoming overcrowded with people sleeping in chairs. The hospital staff realized families that stayed more than a few days had needs for care themselves. They needed a place to shower, maybe do some laundry, or at a minimum stretch out for an uninterrupted night’s sleep.”
Several options were considered before deciding on the concept of Family House. “Some people thought a Ronald McDonald House would be the route to purse. But they have a house in Springfield and rarely locate another house within a 90-mile radius. Also, that type of house only serves the families of pediatric patients, and our hospitals indicated families of adult patients had housing needs as well,” she said.
In an effort to keep the nightly fee as low as possible for guests, Murphy said the board of directors has always approved an operating budget that included considerable fundraising dollars. “As the operating needs have grown, so has the need for contributions. We receive no grants or United Way funding. As a private, not-for-profit agency, we’re fortunate to receive donations from some local organizations that have special events on our behalf. Most recently, the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity had a 24-hour Teeter-Totter-A-Thon at the corner of Main Street and University and raised more than $2,000 for us. The members of Evening Entre Nous had an auction in the middle of October and raised more than $4,000.”
She said businesses and individuals often help by donating items needed to operate the house and make the guests as comfortable as possible. “OSF Saint Francis Medical Center has given us paper products and cleaning supplies, and picks up the cost for our printing needs. The other two hospitals help pick up the cost for postage on our annual mailing to donors. We publish a wish list of things we have to purchase in our quarterly newsletter, and many times someone will come to the door with a bag filled with items from that list. The miniature soaps, shampoos, and other hygiene products are donated by the traveling public with our thanks.”
Family House is planning a holiday fundraiser, staging the first annual Christmas Magic Luncheon November 29 at the Hotel Pere Marquette immediately following the annual Santa Claud Parade. “Guests arriving at the ballroom will be greeted by elves and will join in the singing of Christmas carols. Santa’s arrival by fire truck, a special magic show, personal visits by Christmas Wish Princesses, and a tree-lighting ceremony are some of the highlights on tap for children. Sport’s Magic will be making children happy with their special balloon art. Photos with Santa will be available for $5. Admission is $10 for children, $15 for adults, and includes a festive lunch box for children and a deli plate for adults, plus dessert.
“Raffle tickets will be sold in advance and at the Pere Marquette on the day of the event. Among the prizes are boys’ and girls’ bicycles from Russell’s Cycling and Fitness Center, a handmade gingerbread house, a miniature firehouse and dollhouse, and tickets to the Nutcracker. For reservations, call the Family House at 685-5300,” she said.
Murphy said the Christmas Magic Luncheon will serve a couple of purposes. “We understand our local community may not know our organization as well as we would like because they don’t need to stay here. It’s our hope this event will tie families with Family House and more people will become familiar with who we are and what we do. Of course, we hope to make some money to help our fundraising efforts too.”
Murphy, who has been executive director at Family House for more than 11 years, said she feels fortunate to have met and helped the people who have come through the house over the years—both guests and co-workers. “Each person has brought their own energy, creative talent, and commitment to making Family House the type of home in which they would be proud to stay. I’ve learned and shared so much with guests who are strangers upon arrival, but many times leave as dear friends. I’ve had to hold back tears as I hear about loved ones who are hospitalized; so often, the patient is a baby. Thank goodness the joyful news of healing outweighs the sorrow from the death of a relative.”
She said the years of service in the current Family House location will soon come to an end, but bright things are ahead. “Because of the changes to I-74, our access to Knoxville will be compromised, making it more difficult for guests to get back and forth to the hospitals. We also know because of the 20,000 families we’ve helped over our 17 years, there is a great need for Family House to survive. Our board of directors is working very hard to make sure Family House continues to provide a home away from home for many more families—even though it may not be in its current location. My hope for our future is to have a home that has more bedrooms—we’re full a majority of the time and have had to turn families away—have one bathroom per bedroom, and be able to meet the needs of handicapped guests. I want to do all of this while still maintaining our warm and caring environment. I would further hope the people in our wonderfully giving community would answer the call when the time comes for Family House to make its dream a reality.” TPW