Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation Awarded Children's Hospital Play Grant from The Toy Foundation
Children's Specialized Hospital is one of 19 Children's Hospitals Selected for Grant to Bring the Healing Power of Play to Pediatric Patients
Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) has been selected as one of the recipients of a $25,000 grant from The Toy Foundation’s Children’s Hospital Play Grants program. CSH’s grant will support their Activity Connection Program. This unique program provides therapeutic recreation, sports and social activities for children and teens living with special healthcare needs, their siblings and any child in the community who is interested. All activities are led by CSH therapists, certified program instructors, coaches and trained volunteers who provide age-appropriate activities in an inclusive, safe and fun environment. The goal of Activity Connection is to help kids with special needs develop socialization and communication skills while promoting acceptance, compassion, self-confidence, and friendship-building.
The Toy Foundation (TTF), the charitable organization for the North American toy industry, created the Children’s Hospital Play Grant program to improve pediatric care through the healing power of play at hospitals that serve communities of the greatest need. The program is carried out in partnership with Children’s Hospital Association (CHA), which represents over 200 children’s hospitals in the nation.
“The Activity Connection program at CSH relies on philanthropic support to offer opportunities to families at little or no cost,” said Caitlyn Foelsch, Manager of Community Programs at Children’s Specialized Hospital. “This grant will help us bring kids living with special healthcare needs the opportunity to learn how to be a kid, socialize and play in a safe manner. It’s so rewarding to watch these kids experience the joy of belonging in a supportive, fun-filled environment.”
Social activities and sports can be challenging for children with special healthcare needs, but at CSH, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. Incorporating play in our therapies at the hospital and in programs like Activity Connection can relieve stress, positively impact the child’s wellbeing and measurably improve treatment outcomes.
“The extraordinary physical, emotional and educational benefits of play are well documented,” said Pamela Mastrota, executive director of The Toy Foundation. “We are delighted to support Children’s Specialized Hospital in delivering the healing power of play to the children and families they serve every day.”
CSH was one of 19 children’s hospitals selected to receive a Children’s Hospital Play Grant from TTF. Find the full list of recipients for 2022/2023 on CHA’s website.
For more information about The Toy Foundation’s Children’s Hospital Play Grants program, visit ToyFoundation.org.
CLICK HERE for more information about Children's Specialized Hospital's Activity Connection Program.