Hospitality Homes is celebrating 40 years of bringing home and heart to health care in Boston. The organization provides warm, safe lodging for guests who travel to Boston for life-changing medical care.
At its inception, Hospitality Homes made history as the pioneering initiative of its kind in the nation. Since its founding in 1983, Hospitality Homes has been a beacon of hope for countless families at their most challenging times, matching them with host homes and donated apartments during their visits to the world-renowned Greater Boston area medical institutions.
With the support of more than 1,000 hosts and many partners, the organization has provided over 200,000 nights of lodging to more than 20,000 families— patients and their caregivers facing the emotional and financial burden of traveling for medical treatment. Hospitality Homes has served patients and families receiving care at 23 hospitals and facilities of care this year alone, including Boston Children’s Hospital, Beth Israel Lahey Health, Mass General Brigham, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and many others.
Last year, for example, Hospitality Homes hosted Kenyatta and Derek Coleman for 40 nights so they could travel from Louisiana to Boston for a groundbreaking surgery to save their baby’s life, before she was even born.
At their 30-week ultrasound, the Coleman family received devastating news that their unborn baby, Denver, had Vein of Galen Malformation (VoGM) – a rare, life-threatening blood vessel abnormality that can cause severe neurological and other health problems. A few weeks later, after finding a uniquely skilled team of doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital, Denver became the first in the country to undergo a successful brain procedure in utero. And today, baby Denver is nearly one year old and thriving.
Patients helped by Hospitality Homes have spanned all ages and backgrounds and have come from all 50 states and 26 countries. All patients and families live at least 50 miles from Boston. Throughout its existence, the organization has saved families an estimated $30 million in comparable hotels and rentals.
“As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we’re reminded of the tens of thousands of lives we’ve touched and the profound difference we’ve made. We owe our success to the incredible volunteer hosts, donors, medical professionals, and partners who have shared our vision of providing a ‘home away from home’ for those in need,” said Debbie Pepper, Executive Director of Hospitality Homes and a volunteer host.“This milestone is not just about the years that have passed.It’s a celebration of the hope and healing we’ve provided to so many, and our commitment to continue doing so for the next 40 years and beyond.”
Hospitality Homes has forged strong partnerships with hospitals and other medical institutions throughout Greater Boston to ensure that families can focus on their loved ones’ care without the added stress of finding accommodations. The organization’s network of volunteer host homes has been a lifeline for patients, offering more than just a place to stay – for many, it opens doors to medical treatment that they couldn’t access without a local “home” base.
About Hospitality Homes:
Hospitality Homes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing short-term housing in volunteer host homes and donated apartment for guests who travel to Boston to receive life-changing medical care. Since its founding in 1983, Hospitality Homes has offered support to more than 20,000 families, ensuring they had a safe and comfortable place to stay for over 200,000 nights. For more information about Hospitality Homes, please visit www.hosp.org and follow on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
