top of page

HOSTING

Give the gift of home when they need it the most.

Make an impact that matters by hosting people in need of medical care. Hosts offer free, temporary housing to families traveling to UVA Children's Hospital for life-changing – and often life-saving – medical treatment.

iStock-623294626_edited.jpg

Families from all over the country come to UVA Children's Hospital for treatment. But paying for temporary housing while they’re here can be a barrier to care. You can solve that final hurdle by providing a warm, welcoming place for them to call home.​Access to short-term housing at no cost to the guests can help alleviate a patient’s financial stress and pave the way for healing.

BECOME A HOST

Hosting is easy and flexible. Host only when it is convenient for you.

 

To be a host, you just need to provide two things: a clean, comfortable, private bedroom and preferably access to a private bathroom. If you have questions about hosting before applying, please reach out to maggie@lilypadshousing.org.

 

**Please note that at this time, we are unable to accept host homes that are farther than 8 miles or twenty minutes from the hospital.**

״Being a host for the past few years has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s such a difficult and stressful time for these Lilypads families and we are so very glad to be able to give them a home away from home. It’s also a great way for my husband and I to demonstrate to our children the importance of compassion and helping others in their time of need..״

-Louise Wyatt, host since 2019

  • Who qualifies to be a host?
    LilyPads Housing hosts must live within 8 miles or twenty minutes of the University of Virginia Hospital. (We especially welcome hosts that live within walking distance!) To be a host in our program, you also need to be able to provide a safe, clean, comfortable place to stay and access to a bathroom. Our hosts are as diverse as our guests – families, retirees, young couples, and single women and men. Every host holds our same core values of compassion, generosity, trust and a focus on human connections.
  • What is the process to become a LilyPads Host?
    Interested hosts must complete a host application (found above). Once you’ve submitted a host application, we’ll set up an interview and site visit at your home. During this visit, we can help ease concerns, answer any questions, and review the host manual with you. Prospective hosts must also pass a criminal background check. If you have any questions about hosting prior to submitting an application, please feel free to give us a call. We'd love to talk with you more about it!
  • How are families screened and what if an issue arises while we are hosting?
    We do a thorough screening of all prospective guests. We conduct criminal background checks on anyone over the age of 18. We connect with their assigned social worker at UVA (if applicable). Lastly, we speak with a professional reference for all guests over the age of 18. This thorough screening process of prospective guests helps ensure that problems are a very rare occurrence. However, if a host has any difficulties or concerns, they should contact LilyPads and we will immediately address the issue, and if necessary, make other housing arrangements for the guest.
  • I don't allow alcohol/tobacco/smoking/vaping/children/etc. in my home. Does this prevent me from becoming a host?
    No. You set the rules for your guests, including restricting any behaviors. You control all aspects of the stay, including the length of stay, whether or not to accept children and/or patients as guests, how many guests you prefer at one time, accessibility to your home, and any other issues you feel are important. You can also change your hosting preferences at any time. Hosting is flexible so that it can best fit your lifestyle. LilyPads maintains an extensive database of our hosts' preferences, which allows us match guest's needs with our hosts' preferences.
  • I have a varied schedule. Can I specify when I can and cannot accept guests?
    Of course! We understand that your schedule and availability may change. You can accept guests as your schedule permits and you can say “no” to hosting whenever it is inconvenient.
  • What about liability?
    All guests are required to submit a liability release before arriving at the host home. We encourage hosts to check their homeowners or renters liability insurance coverage and inform their insurance carriers that they are volunteering with LilyPads Housing and possibly add an inexpensive personal liability policy to increase their coverage.
bottom of page