Services and support for your day-to-day life
because your life still happens
while you're
caring for your child
Apply for Services
volunteer
What on earth is a David?
Whether a child is in the hospital or at home, it can become increasingly challenging for parents to stay on top of day-to-day tasks. Even some of the simplest steps become arduous simply because they steal loving parents away from their child’s side. This is why we have “Davids”; very special, dedicated volunteers who can step in to help with many tasks including:
All Davids undergo complete, fingerprinted background checks for everyone’s safety and peace of mind.
We do our best to appropriately match Davids with the needs of their Normal Moments families.
- Bring in your mail/bills while you are in the hospital with your child and review it with you so you don't fall behind on anything
- Water plants
- Tend to garbage and recycling
- Take care of pets
- Help with housework or laundry
- Help kids with homework
- Run errands
- Supervise household while you shower or take a nap*
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Provide emotional support and a non-judgmental ear
**David volunteers many not provide exclusive care for dependents. A responsible adult over 18 must be in the house if dependents are present while a David volunteer is in the house.
FAMILIES REQUESTING SERVICES:
If your hospital stay is going to be more than 3 nights, we’d like to help you keep your strength up by helping cover the cost of a good delivery meal every few days. Just ask your Child Life Specialists for the book of menus, call 630.888.8111 to let us know from where you are ordering, including a phone number, then place your order. We’ll follow up with a credit card number to pay for the meal. Note: not all restaurants are willing to accept this process. Please confirm when placing your order.
While it is very nice when supportive friends bring us meals at home, we recognize that this isn’t always the best thing for you and your family. Often times children in treatment develop sensitivities to certain spells and their tastes can change. For many, meals require some reciprocation. Tell us your favorite delivery and carry-out restaurants and we will arrange for some meals to be at your disposal, without having to cook, clean-up, or return the dishes.
*While we do our best to provide consistent services, some opportunities may be limited by number of volunteers and service providers in your area and the financial resources available for allocation.
Snow Removal
Snow removal is ALWAYS provided by professionals. After all, this is the Midwest and we know how hard it is to stay on top of our Chicagoland snowfalls! We also recognize the importance of being able to get to the Emergency Room or clinic when crisis occurs and for your home health care workers to access the house as needed. So, every time there are 2 to 2 ½” of snow, our plow drivers get to our families as quickly as possible.
Professional Housecleaning
IF A DAVID IS UNAVAILABLE: Families may also receive services provided by one of our professional partners. We always try to send a professional cleaning service at least once before matching a David volunteer with a family. The paid professional service continue to visit monthly until we find an appropriate volunteer or services are no longer required. Similarly, our lawn care providers will mow and edge the lawn on alternating weeks when no volunteer is available.