named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Beads of Courage
Provides pediatric oncology and cystic fibrosis patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital with beads that symbolize treatment milestones
Lending a Helping Hand
Provides small supportive services such as wigs, lawn care, and massage therapy to improve patients' quality of life
Overnight Self Care Retreats
Offers one-day and weekend retreats for parents impacted by childhood cancer or child loss to foster healing and community
Personalized Comfort Baskets
Delivers custom gift baskets filled with comfort items to patients facing life-altering diagnoses
Spa Day for Moms of Cancer Warriors
Provides a day of relaxation and connection for mothers of children battling or surviving cancer, or who have lost a child to cancer
You and Me Bears & Beads
Distributes matching teddy bears and beads to children in the hospital and their siblings or parents to maintain emotional connection during separation
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Therapeutic Comfort Kits and Room Makeovers 2 activities
- Distribution of personalized comfort baskets to patientsDistributes personalized gift baskets tailored to the individual needs and interests of patients facing cancer or other life-altering illnesses, including items of comfort, inspiration, and the book 'There’s No Place Like Hope' by Vickie Gerard. Over 1,500 baskets have been provided to date.
- Provision of You and Me Bears to hospitalized childrenProvides "You and Me Bears" to hospitalized children to help maintain emotional connection with a parent or sibling during separation, offering comfort and companionship.
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Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Awarding of annual scholarship to graduating high school seniorHas awarded a $1,000 scholarship annually to a graduating senior at Baker High School since 2008.
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
- Donation of seasonal baskets to hospitalized childrenDonates 70 Spring Baskets annually to children spending Easter at Golisano Children’s Hospital, a tradition ongoing since 2007.
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Volunteer Mobilization for Community Improvement 1 activity
- Engagement of youth in community service through Maureen’s Hope Youth ClubOperates the Maureen’s Hope Youth Club with approximately 80 active members who engage in service activities such as raking leaves, holiday decorating, baking cookies, and making hope bracelets for individuals affected by cancer or life-altering illnesses.
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Grief Support Groups and Counseling 1 activity
- Facilitation of self-care and grief retreats for bereaved parentsOffers one-day and weekend self-care retreats for parents impacted by childhood cancer or child loss, including overnight grief retreats facilitated by trained therapists to support emotional healing and resilience.
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Cancer Peer Support & Wellness Programs 1 activity
- Hosting of annual Spa Day for mothers of children affected by cancerHosts an annual fall Spa Day event for approximately 30 mothers of children battling or recovering from cancer, or who have lost a child to cancer, providing spa treatments, a three-course lunch, and full-day access to spa facilities to support connection and self-care.
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Creative Arts Therapy Programs 1 activity
- Hosting of therapeutic and inspirational eventsHosts events such as "Emotion into Art," featuring storytelling and speedpainting, and sponsors a music program at the Upstate Cancer Center to provide therapeutic music in infusion areas for chemotherapy patients.
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Recreational and Emotional Support Programs for Children with Serious Illnesses 1 activity
- Operation of the Beads of Courage programRuns the Beads of Courage program at Golisano Children’s Hospital for pediatric oncology and cystic fibrosis patients, using colorful beads to symbolize treatment milestones and support emotional resilience. The program was launched in 2010 for oncology patients and expanded to cystic fibrosis patients in 2012, and includes sibling participation.
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Cancer Patient Financial and Practical Support 1 activity
- Provision of practical support services for patients and familiesProvides non-medical support services including home cleaning (weekly), family meals, wigs for hair loss, yard work, snow removal, reiki, and massage therapy to improve quality of life for individuals affected by cancer or serious illnesses.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Donation of equipment and facilities for pediatric patient comfortPurchased and provided a mobile multi-sensory distraction station for pediatric patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital in 2012 and donated $15,000 from a memorial benefit to build a playground at the Ronald McDonald House of Central New York, dedicated as Maureen’s Place of Hope, Dreams and Imagination in 2004.
- Provision of Carry A Bead kits to support Beads of CourageOffers Carry A Bead kits for $20 (including shipping and handling) to support the Beads of Courage program, enabling broader participation in the resilience-based intervention.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$167K
Contributions & grants$96K57%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$10%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$99K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$40K
Grants paid out$2K
balance sheet
Total assets$174K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$135K
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +65.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSAN BERTRAND | PRESIDENT/TREASURER | 40 | $40K |
board members · 4
- BRIAN KALFASS — BOARD MEMBER
- KAUSHAL NANAVATI — BOARD MEMBER
- LINDA GABOR — BOARD MEMBER
- ROBERT KIRSCHNER — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- Baker High School Partner — Provides an annual scholarship to a graduating senior.
- Bama Works Partner — Funds the You and Me Bear program and partners with Maureen's Hope to expand it to other hospitals.
- Beads of Courage Partner — Partnered to offer the Carry A Bead program, with proceeds supporting Beads of Courage programs sponsored by Maureen’s Hope Foundation.
- Burdick BMW Partner — Silver sponsor supporting Maureen's Hope Foundation.
- Dave Matthews Band Partner — Collaborates with Maureen's Hope through their foundation to support the You and Me Bear program and expand its reach.
- Everson Museum Partner — Host venue for the "Emotion into Art" event.
- Filtersource.com Partner — Gold sponsor supporting Maureen's Hope Foundation.
- Golisano Children's Hospital Partner — Hosts the Beads of Courage program for pediatric oncology and Cystic Fibrosis patients.
- Golisano Children's Hospital Partner — Provided a Vecta Deluxe Distraction Station for pediatric patients at Golisano Children's Hospital.
- Golisano Children’s Hospital Partner — Collaborates on the Spring Baskets donation and Beads of Courage Program for pediatric patients.
- Golisano Children’s Hospital Partner — Partnered with Maureen’s Hope Foundation to implement the Beads of Courage program for pediatric oncology and cystic fibrosis patients and their siblings.
- Grossman St. Amour CPAs PLLC Partner — Silver sponsor and employer of board member Linda Gabor; supports Maureen's Hope Foundation.
- Ronald McDonald House of Central New York Partner — Funded the construction of a playground named Maureen’s Place of Hope, Dreams and Imagination at the Ronald McDonald House of Central New York.
- Skana Spa at Turning Stone Resort and Spa Partner — Hosts the annual Spa Day for Moms of Cancer Warriors.
- Syracuse Auto Dealers Association Partner — Hosted the 24th annual Charity Preview event that supported Maureen's Hope Foundation and other charities.
- Tarsel/Degon Family Partner — Recipient family benefiting from home cleaning services and other support
- Upstate Cancer Center Partner — Sponsors a music program for chemotherapy patients at the Upstate Cancer Center.
- Vickie Gerard Partner — Author whose book 'There’s No Place Like Hope' is included in every comfort basket.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Hope-Centered Caremethodology: hope-centered_careBy fostering hope as a foundational element of emotional and spiritual support, we strengthen resilience during illness because belief in the future sustains dignity and enables coping with hardship.
- Peer and Holistic Healing Communitiesmethodology: peer-support and holistic healingBy creating nurturing environments that combine peer support with holistic healing practices, we improve emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being for caregivers and families because shared experience and self-care reduce isolation and build collective resilience.
- Personalized Support Modelmethodology: personalized_supportBy tailoring non-medical support services to the individual needs of patients and families, we improve emotional and physical well-being during serious illness because personalized care increases relevance, dignity, and engagement.
- Symbols and Storytelling for Emotional Resiliencemethodology: symbolic_support_engagementBy using symbolic objects (like beads) and narrative practices (like storytelling and speedpainting), we help patients and families process trauma and build resilience because tangible markers and personal stories make emotional experiences visible, meaningful, and shareable.
- Therapeutic Arts and Distraction in Clinical Caremethodology: healing-through-musicBy delivering music, art, and multi-sensory distraction in clinical settings, we reduce stress and pain for pediatric patients because engaging the senses diverts attention from discomfort and creates moments of joy and control.