Our Program

Since 2005, the Josh Cares program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital has grown to support four Josh Cares Fellows who have provided friendship and comfort to hundreds of children. But Josh Cares is a concept that could help thousands of children who are facing critical illnesses at hospitals across the nation. With a shared mission and sense of purpose, combined with local fundraising, Josh Cares is a cause that communities need - and one they will support.

Josh Cares is designed to benefit children who are alone while they are going through a terrifying experience (about 15% of all children in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit; PICU). These children are fortunate enough to benefit from the incredible technology, facilities and highly skilled caregivers at many children’s hospitals. But, if they feel abandoned and alone in their greatest time of need, their chances of recovery are diminished and they may face long-term social and emotional issues.

Even the finest children’s hospitals do not provide sufficient numbers of trained staff to support the  children whose families cannot be with them. Those children need uninterrupted hours of staff time to even begin to replace a consistent family presence.

Our Josh Care Fellows will be with those children when their families cannot. They will be there during their greatest time of need...a familiar face to help fill the lonely hours; to read them a story until they fall asleep; to play games with them; to hold their hand; to be with them during painful procedures; to talk to them about anything; to let them know they are cared for and that they are special.

There are many wonderful charities that provide gifts and tangible items to the children. But sometimes what children need most is the undivided attention of someone who makes them feel special. Donations to Josh Cares are used for that purpose: augmenting the medical services of children’s hospitals by providing individual care and attention to those children who are unable to benefit from the physical presence of family members.