The Patient & Family Connection Program
A direct pathway to personalized support for pediatric patients and their families — whether you are a family reaching out yourself, or a care team member who has identified a need.
From donation partner to patient resource
One Smile at a Time does not want to simply be an organization that writes checks or drops off donations. We want to be a trusted resource inside the support system that already surrounds a child — responding to what one family needs, in the moment they need it.
Personalized, not general
Much of our support has reached patients through hospital-wide donations. Those efforts serve many children, but they cannot always answer the need of one specific child or family. This program bridges that gap.
Flexible by design
Rather than focusing on one type of assistance, we respond to what a child or family needs most in the moment — an experience, a comfort item, help easing a financial burden, or something that fits no category at all.
Alongside the care team
The program is designed to complement — not replace — the programs and resources hospitals already provide. We work with Child Life, social work and care teams, not around them.
Four steps, start to finish
A request can come from a family directly, or from a member of the care team who sees a need that existing resources do not cover.
Identify a need
A family reaches out, or a social worker, Child Life Specialist or care team member submits a request on their behalf.
Connect the family with a resource
We review each request and confirm what we are able to provide, coordinating with the care team where appropriate.
Create personalized support
Support is shaped around that specific child and family — their age, their interests, their circumstances.
Make a meaningful difference
The right support reaches the child and family when it matters most.
“Cash donations like theirs are especially impactful because they allow us to purchase exactly what’s needed, when it’s needed most — ensuring every child feels cared for and supported.”Baystate Children's Hospital
What you can
ask us for
Every request is different. These are the four areas we support — and the last is deliberately open-ended, because our flexibility is one of our greatest strengths.
Personalized Patient Experiences
Special outings, activities, celebrations, milestone moments, or experiences designed around a child’s interests.
Patient & Sibling Support
Personalized gifts, comfort items, activity kits, birthday surprises, sibling gifts, and other age-appropriate items.
Family Assistance
Gift cards or other appropriate forms of short-term assistance intended to help ease financial or practical stress during treatment.
Unique Patient Needs
Requests that don’t fit neatly into an existing category. If you or a care team identifies a meaningful need and believes One Smile at a Time may be able to help, we want to hear about it.
Tell us about a child
Families and patients can reach out directly. Hospital staff can submit a request on behalf of a patient. We read every request and will follow up by email or phone.
Your support makes every request possible.
Donations fund the experiences, gifts and family assistance this program provides.
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