The diagnosis of a life threatening illness of a child impacts the entire family in so many ways. Family time together is disrupted by hospital stays and medical treatment. Sports activities and family outings become so difficult both emotionally and financially. There just isn’t the time, money or energy to do anything other than focus on fighting the illness, leaving everyone in the family exhausted.
The Rainbow Connection believes that laughter and happiness are very therapeutic, providing families with occasions to escape the burdens that accompany their child’s illness.
The Wish Enhancement Program is designed to provide fun opportunities to the wish child and their family. Enhancements include tickets to concerts, sporting events, the theater, and the circus. The Rainbow Connection does all the planning. It is an opportunity for the family to share laughter and build memories during this most difficult time. These special events for the families are supported by donations from individuals and corporations and area entertainment centers. Through the generous support of area entertainment centers our wish families are able to have those special outings that all families look forward to.
A special feature of our enhancement program are the holiday parties and summer picnics planned just for wish families. These festive events get the families together outside the hospital setting. Families connect with each other gaining support and guidance from each other and often building lifelong friendships.
The Rainbow Connection College Scholarship Program provides two $1000 college scholarships each year to wish children. These scholarships help our wish families who so often have had to use money saved for college to pay medical bills during their child’s illness. The scholarship provides some help to the family as their wish child continues their education. The process is a simple one. The wish child simply sends a letter to The Rainbow Connection requesting the scholarship. A check is sent directly to the college or university for the child’s tuition.
If you would like to make a donation to the Rainbow Connection College Scholarship fund simply call us at the phone number listed below or send an email to info@rainbowwishconnection.org.
Thank you to those who donate to the Wish Enhancement Program...tickets, items for goody bags, toys and dollars! If you would like to contribute to this great program, contact our Wish Director, at 248-601-9474, extension 16.
The Rainbow Connection’s primary mission is to grant wishes to children with life threatening illnesses. It has been our experience that families that receive wishes carry many burdens resulting from the medical crisis. The Special Response Program is designed to address the issues that Wish Families face when dealing with the long term illness of their child. Our Case Manager is sensitive to the special needs of our wish families and will provide support services such as utility assistance, information and referral and always a listening ear.
The Rainbow Connection Special Response Program guidelines include:
- Families can qualify for assistance one year before or one year after a wish has been granted by The Rainbow Connection.
- Referrals can be made directly by hospital staff, social workers, or any one aware of the difficult situation a Wish Family is having.
- The Wish Director for The Rainbow Connection will work with the Wish Childs primary Social Worker to coordinate and compliment services.
- All efforts will be made to use conventional resources for necessary services first before using any funds available through The Rainbow Connection’s Special Response Program.
The Rainbow Connection is honored to support our wish children as they proceed on to life’s many challenges and rewards. Certainly these children have a wisdom and strength we can all learn and grow from. What better way to honor them than to lend a helping hand in furthering their education.
Our scholarship program is funded exclusively by donations to the program. If you would like to make a contribution to supporting the higher education of Michigan children diagnosed with life threatening illnesses, simply designate a donation to the program and you too will feel the magic of helping these terrific kids!
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