An Oasis for Families

Mott’s Family Resource Center makes a difference for family members

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The 8th floor of the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital offers a beautiful view of Ann Arbor, but visitors to the 8th level have much more than that to experience in the Family Resource Center. The large and welcoming room serves a number of purposes to meet the needs of families with children at Mott Hospital. Family members make use of the computers, books, comfortable chairs and cozy gathering areas. The center opened last fall, and quickly began fulfilling its objectives to provide information, education, recreation and support.

Information
The Family Resource Center provides patients and families with access to information around their child and family’s hospital experience. In addition to the staff and volunteer support, there are computers, a variety of books, manuals, pamphlets and displays.

Education
The Family Resource Center offers a variety of classes to assist families in taking care of their child including infant massage, emergency procedures and child comforting.

Recreation/Support
Besides the beautiful view and the comfortable furniture, there are a variety of activities for respite, diversion and support, and a big screen television for watching a favorite show or a video.

Jim and Shannon Niedzinski spent a great deal of time in the Family Resource Center during their newborn son’s month long hospitalization. They credit the center, and its coordinator, Sarah Whorf Mellifont, with playing an invaluable role in making their hospital experience so positive. Having a place to make his work phone calls and check e-mail enabled Jim to spend more time at the hospital with his family. He says, “I found it incredibly helpful to use the FRC as a quiet place to work. Being able to get business done while at the hospital was essential for me to be able stay here with my family.” He adds, “The FRC acted as a peaceful oasis for us.…We met with visiting friends for coffee at the high-top tables…we surfed the web and used the kitchenette to warm up meals; and with two of the four walls consisting of almost all windows, we sometimes just stared out at the view and soaked in the daylight.”

Whatever the reason—information, computers, the kitchenette or just the view—families are grateful for the Family Resource Center and all that it provides.