For the past year, I have been the House Manager/Volunteer Manager with the Mark Preece Family House (MPFH).  We are an affordable place for out-of-town families to stay while their loved ones are receiving treatment at a Hamilton hospital.  We are located beside the Hamilton General Hospital and are a “home away from home” for families who are experiencing stressful and uncertain circumstances regarding the health of their hospitalized loved ones.

Since opening in April, the House has served more than 150 families. The majority of patients, coming from northwestern Ontario, Niagara and Waterloo-Wellington, are being treated at Hamilton General Hospital, most often for cardiac health issues.  A significant number of families whose loved one has sustained a traumatic injury have made MPFH their home for a short while enabling them to give the vigilant care that helps promote recovery.

The House is named in honour of Dr. Mark Preece, a respected physician who died in 1997 at only 38 years of age.  After Mark’s death, his family and friends started the charitable organization “Hospital Family Houses of Ontario” and opened this House in his honour.  The House has 14 family bedrooms, each with a private bath, TV and internet access, a common kitchen and living area and laundry facilities. 

The operations of the House are financed in a small part by room rentals, with the difference being made through fundraising and donations from the community.  Volunteers are an integral part of the Family House team, working in areas such as reception, housekeeping and our Thyme4Dinner program. 

Working at MPFH has been a great experience.  We have a great team of staff and volunteers that work together to provide excellent service for the families here.  I enjoy how every day is different; there is always a new family here with a different story to share, or a new opportunity to grow from.  I feel as though I have learned a great deal in the past year with MPFH and am excited to continue on this path.

I have found being a HAV member very beneficial.  It is great to be able to network with professionals in the same field and learn from more experienced members. The educational opportunities provided have helped me to continue to learn and grow, making me a better Volunteer Manager. The many connections made through HAV have been invaluable.