The Network of Care

2023 Wins and AccomplishmentsThe Network of Care continues the tradition of providing help, hope and comfort to families in crisis situations when their child is suddenly hospitalized. These families do not have the time, energy, presence of mind, and many times financial resources to look after their own needs, and The Network of Care provides meal support so they can devote more attention to their child to help in the recovery. Since we began in 2004, we have fed families at several large Childrens Hospitals,community hospitals and family houses throughout California. We continueto be volunteer led without paid staff or overheard expenses. Our programs are at no charge to the thousands of families we serve each year. Program 2004 to December 2023: Since we began in 2004, we have fed over 354,000 families at 60 hospitals throughout the States of California and Colorado. Yearly Volume: In 2023, we fed over 17,000 families with the gift of food. Volunteers: Every year, snack and meal bags (aka Bags of Hope) are assembled by 150-200 young adults with special needs at local high schools as part of their school curriculum. The Student Interns volunteer each week during the school year and summer school, where they learn vocational skills. Their tasks include folding flyers, sorting food, assembling food items into the bags, inventory of food, preparing the bags to be shipped to hospitals and delivering the boxes to the UPS shipping center, etc. The students have increased their skill levels by learning real jobs done by people in real employment situations. This helps with fine and gross motor skills processes, and with building self-esteem toward becoming confident in their worth to an employer. These skills help them transition to adult life, prepare them with skills to hold and maintain jobs and live independently. Other groups volunteer their time throughout the year which include service organizations, elders in the community and various other volunteers. Value of Volunteer Hours: In 2023, we had approximately $190,000 in volunteer hours from over 150 volunteers. We also distribute other items to hospitals all year long: Crafts from the Heart: Craft Kits help children focus on creative activitieswith their siblings who come to visit them, while lifting their spirits. Cozy Comforts: Hand-made blankets provide warmth, a sense of security and comfort to warm the hearts of seriously ill babies and children in hospitals. Bear Jamboree: Brand new Teddy Bears and stuffed animals put smiles on the faces of hospitalized children. Annual Fundraising Event Our annual crab feed was held on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Recognition: Janet Frazier, Founder and Executive Director, was recognized by California State Senator Steve Glazer as his Woman Making Herstory (aka Woman of the Year). Media Coverage: The Network of Care was featured on CBS/KPIX for the Jefferson Awards. The East Bay Times and other publications featured articles and online videos about the work we do in the community with young adults with special needs.