WHO WE ARE: St. Mary's Family Respite Center is a non-sectarian, non-profit social service agency. The organization was incorporated in 1992, and began providing child care to families, including meals, transportation, and supplies for infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers in 1994. Our mission is to provide relief to HIV-affected families with children.

WHAT WE DO: Our program offers an enriching curriculum designed to teach children counting, letters, name recognition, and colors; opportunities for constructive play with art materials; a reading corner; dramatic play with dolls and puppets; field trips and guest teachers enhance the learning experience. In addition the children can ride tricycles, drive minicars, and play on the sliding board. We strive to facilitate the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development of the children served. Each child receives an initial assessment upon entering the program, and progress is monitored on an ongoing basis. Quarterly parent/teacher conferences are held to increase the involvement of families. These conferences provide an opportunity for parents and caregivers to meet with the teaching staff and discuss their child's progress, observe the program in action, have questions answered, share observations and concerns regarding behaviors or interests, and provide input in those areas of particular interest to each child. Additionally, daily progress reports are prepared that provide information on each child's activities: appetite, nap, medication, and a general note on behavior or special matters of interest or concern. Our newest program is the provision of child care for caregivers receiving medical and social services through Strawberry Mansion Health Center, Children's and St. Christopher's Hospitals for Children - Special Immunology Programs, the Partnership Comprehensive Care Practice in the HIV Medicine Section at MCP Hahnemann University, and St. Joseph's Hospital's HIV Care Clinic. This service is provided at the site of each clinic program and is funded through a grant from the Circle of Care.

WHEN SERVICES ARE PROVIDED: We are open Tuesday through Friday. Children arrive between 8:45 and 9:00 AM and depart at 3:00 PM. Our administrative offices are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

OUR LOCATION: We are located at 3115 Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia, PA.

OUR SUPPORT: We are funded in part by the City of Philadelphia AIDS Activities Coordinating Office through Philadelphia Health Management Corporation, The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium, the Circle of Care, the City of Philadelphia Department of Human Sevices, The AIDS Fund, The Philadelphia Foundation, and as an Associate Member of WOMENS WAY. In addition, private foundations, churches, and individuals provide vital support. Transportation is provided through a cooperative agreement with WHEELS, Inc., and lunches are provided by the Metropolitan AIDS Nutrition Alliance (MANNA).

All services are provided free of charge to our families