Supporting Respite Care at The Darling Home for Kids

The Darling Home for Kids is the only place of its kind in Ontario providing a continuum of care in respite, residential and hospice palliative services to children with complex medical needs and their families. Children and families receive comprehensive support as they navigate an unfamiliar and challenging world. From respite services where parents and caregivers can take a much-needed mental and physical break, to healthcare navigation and bereavement support, The Darling Home for Kids is there to help families when they need it the most.

The Sifton Family Foundation is pleased to support The Darling Home for Kids’ Respite Program, serving families in Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo and Mississauga. The Respite Program helps ensure parents and caregivers receive an essential break from caring for a child with complex medical needs and helps prevent caregiver burnout and fatigue. While at the Home, children benefit from a variety of therapeutic programs and activities and are given the opportunity to play and thrive in an environment that is specifically designed with their unique needs in mind. A typical weekend respite stay is 48 hours and during peak times respite stays can be up to one week.

“We are incredibly grateful to Sifton Family Foundation for your generosity, commitment and support of our Respite Program. This $10,000 grant will help provide families the opportunity to focus on their own mental health and well-being, while knowing their child is receiving the medical care they need in a place that feels like Home. Thank you, Sifton Family Foundation, for your partnership,” said Julia Pietrangelo, Development Officer, The Darling Home for Kids.