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ABOUT US

Small Team, Massive Vision.

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LIFE HOUSE ATLANTA

Who We Are

In 2017, three hospice volunteers recognized a critical gap in support for families providing 24/7 care for children with life-limiting illnesses. To meet this need, they began a journey to build Life House Atlanta: Georgia’s first freestanding caregiver respite and pediatric care home.

Our vision is a cost-free "home-away-from-home" where medically fragile children can enjoy a "vacation" while family caregivers can take the time to refresh and recharge. Life House Atlanta will offer children up to 30 days of overnight stays per year, featuring activities such as art, music, and aquatherapy led by trained staff. This provides families a vital, well-deserved break from the relentless demands of round-the-clock caregiving.

A HOME FOR MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILDREN

A Blueprint for the Future

This feature video provides a visual tour of four distinct pediatric care homes for medically fragile children across the country: Crescent Cove in Minnesota, George Mark Children's House in California, Ryan House in Arizona, and A Rosie Place for Children in Indiana. Through vibrant clips of sensory therapies, water play, customized medical support, and creative activities, the compilation beautifully highlights the specialized care, relief, and pure joy these organizations provide to families navigating complex childhood medical journeys.

For Life House Atlanta, this video serves as both an inspiration and a blueprint for the future. By showcasing the vital impact these existing homes have in their respective states, we reinforce our mission to establish Georgia's very first dedicated pediatric care home. These clips illustrate exactly what we are striving to build: a supportive sanctuary where families can find essential rest and children can simply experience the magic of being kids. Let's build a house!

Providing Support Today and a Sanctuary Tomorrow

WHAT WE DO

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While we raise funds to build our house, we are actively supporting families of medically fragile children in the community.

  • Respite care offers caregivers a temporary reprieve from the stresses of caring for a fragile loved one and the opportunity to engage in self-renewing activities. Respite care is for the caregiver.

  • Palliative care is patient and family-centered care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing, and treating suffering. It addresses physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual needs throughout the continuum of illness. Simply put, it means helping kids live as well as possible for as long as possible.

  • The demands of 24/7 care leave little time for parent or guardian caregivers to work or rest, resulting in a heavy toll on their physical and mental health.

    Caregivers report feeling isolated, worried for their financial future and for the mental wellbeing of other siblings in the home.

Our Team

Meet the Life House Atlanta Leadership. We are grateful to this compassionate group of leaders for their commitment.

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John Bell
Principal, Regent Partners

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Annett Cotte
Parent of a Medically Fragile Child

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Sebastien Cotte
Parent of a Medically Fragile Child

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Kathleen Fleiszar
Founder and Executive Director

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Denise O’Connell
Board Treasurer, Partner, Nichols, Cauley & Associates, LLC

Mary & Catherine Reed

Mary Reed
Board Chair, Parent of a Medically Fragile Child

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Ellen Shaw
Board Secretary, Life Enrichment Director

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Lanise Shortell
Pediatric Palliative Care Nurse

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Emilia McElroy
Social Media Management

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Christian Griffith
Founder, Kai Daddy Digital & Technology Lead at Life House Atlanta

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Emily Brooks Maxey
Founder, E. Brooks Design

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Brenda Marino, M.D.
Neonatologist, Kennestone Hospital

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Heather Odeh
Owner & Director of Alloy Personal Training Buckhead

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Graham Massell
Massell Commercial Real Estate

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“Life House Atlanta could have brought us closer as a family, reduced the stress and financial pressure on my parents.”

Sarah, sister of Rachael

View Family Stories