Chai Lifeline Inc

CHAI LIFELINE IS AN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH SUPPORT NETWORK, PROVIDING SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, FINANCIAL AND PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES FACING ILLNESS, CRISIS, OR LOSS. CHAI LIFELINE OFFERS MORE THAN TWO-DOZEN YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT AND COUNSELING; MEALS DELIVERED TO HOSPITALS AND HOMES; TRANSPORTATION TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS; HOSPITAL AND IN-HOME RESPITE; EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE; INSURANCE ADVOCACY; TRIPS, RETREATS AND SPECIAL EVENTS; PROJECT CHAI CRISIS INTERVENTION, TRAUMA, AND BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT; CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS; EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES; I-SHINE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMING; AND ITS FLAGSHIP SUMMER PROGRAMS CAMP SIMCHA, CAMP SIMCHA SPECIAL, AND CAMP SIMCHA WITHOUT BORDERS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS WITH LIFE-THREATENING AND LIFELONG ILLNESS.

CHAI LIFELINE OPERATES TWO MEDICALLY SUPERVISED SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS ON ONE CAMPUS FOR SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN. CAMP SIMCHA IS OPEN TO CHILDREN AND TEENS WITH CANCER AND OTHER BLOOD-BASED ILLNESSES. CAMP SIMCHA SPECIAL IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE MEDICAL AND SOCIAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND TEENS WITH MULTIPLE, DISPARATE CHRONIC ILLNESSES AND/OR DISABILITIES. EACH CAMP RUNS TWO, TWO-WEEK SESSIONS EVERY SUMMER AT THEIR 125-ACRE, FULLY HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE CAMPGROUND IN GLEN SPEY, NY. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ADAPTED SPORTS, SWIMMING (INCLUDING RED CROSS INSTRUCTION), BOATING, CRAFTS, WORKSHOPS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS LIKE CONCERTS AND SHOWS. THE GOALS OF THE CAMPS ARE TO FACILITATE INDEPENDENCE; BUILD SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND DAILY LIVING SKILLS; ENHANCE KNOWLEDGE OF ONE'S ILLNESS AND CAPABILITIES; AND ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF FRIENDSHIPS AND SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS THAT CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. IN ADDITION, CHAI LIFELINE OPERATES CAMP SIMCHA WITHOUT BORDERS, WHICH HOSTS PROGRAMS AND EVENTS IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE U.S. IN TOTAL, MORE THAN 1,000 CHILDREN AND TEENS TOOK PART IN SIMCHA PROGRAMMING IN 2021.

CHAI LIFELINE PROVIDES EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE MOMENT OF DIAGNOSIS THROUGH TREATMENT AND RECOVERY. GOALS INCLUDE ENABLING THE FAMILY UNIT TO CONTINUE TO FUNCTION DURING MEDICAL CRISES; PROVIDING IN-HOSPITAL SUPPORT TO PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS; AND BRINGING JOY AND HOPE TO YOUNG PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. INITIAL SUPPORT BEGINS WITH A CASE MANAGER'S EVALUATION THAT IDENTIFIES NEEDS AND SUGGESTS PROGRAMMATIC RESPONSES. IN 2021, CHAI LIFELINE PROVIDED EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO 5690 FAMILIES THROUGH REFERRALS, INFORMATION AND ADVOCACY CONTACTS; 4,413 VOLUNTEER VISITS RAISED SPIRITS AND OFFERED NEEDED RESPITE TO PARENTS STANDING VIGIL AT CHILDREN'S BEDSIDES; PROVIDED 12,979 RIDES BY VOLUNTEERS OR CHAI LIFELINE VANS TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, THUS FACILITATING TREATMENT COMPLIANCE; 91,954 NOURISHING MEALS WERE DELIVERED TO HOSPITALS AND HOMES; 6,098 HOURS OF INSURANCE ADVOCACY HELPED 294 FAMILIES NAVIGATE THEIR COVERAGE, FIGHT DENIALS AND TURNDOWNS, AND COMPLETE PAPERWORK ACCURATELY; AND 587 OVERNIGHT VISITS AT THE CHAI HOUSE FOR FAMILIES WITH LOVED ONES AT THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: THESE PROGRAMS HELP YOUNG PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES LIVE AS NORMALLY AS POSSIBLE WHILE FIGHTING ILLNESS BY ENHANCING EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL BONDS. IN THE PAST YEAR, 705 BIG BROTHERS AND SISTERS WERE MENTORS TO ILL CHILDREN AND SIBLINGS. 287 RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES DONE REMOTELY UTILIZING TECHNOLOGY FOR PATIENTS, SIBLINGS, PARENTS, AND FAMILIES OFFERED OPPORTUNITIES FOR FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT. 29 HOLIDAY PARTIES AND FAMILY DAYS GAVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES A CHANCE TO CELEBRATE TOGETHER. 930 HOURS OF COUNSELING HELPED FAMILIES COPE WITH CRISIS. I-SHINE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMING PROVIDED MENTORING AND CARE TO HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN LIVING WITH ILLNESS OR LOSS IN THEIR HOMES. 2,083 CRISIS INTERVENTION WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS, AND MEETINGS WITH FAMILIES, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

GRANTS TO VARIOUS CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS