The Hogs for the Cause Family Support Home officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital on Feb. 22. Known as the “Hogs House,” the family support home serves as free on-campus housing for families from outside of Greater Baton Rouge who have a child receiving ongoing care at the hospital.
Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital serves children from every parish in Louisiana, in addition to 44 of 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. While most patients come from the Greater Baton Rouge region, more than 13,000 families travel 30 miles or more to seek care. The average length of stay in the hospital is five days, with many children visiting routinely due to complex medical conditions. Those families living outside of the Greater Baton Rouge region are now eligible to stay at the home.
“Every year Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital provides expert care to thousands of families from across Louisiana and beyond,” said Jonathan Brouk, president of Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health. "When your child is in the hospital, the last thing you need to be thinking about is where you're going to stay for the night. Now our families will have one less thing to worry about as their little ones heal."
"We broke ground on the Hogs House just over one year ago, and we are thrilled to see it open to families today," shared Becker Hall, co-founder and chief executive officer of Hogs for the Cause. “Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we are proud we could contribute to this place of healing that will positively impact so many families receiving the expert care their child needs at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.”
The home was made possible by a $2.25 million pledge from Hogs for the Cause coupled with community and in-kind donations. It is within walking distance from the hospital’s campus and features 12 rooms, recreational spaces with games and activities, a communal dining lounge, guest kitchen, laundry room, backyard, and other amenities. The Hogs House was designed by Coleman Partners and constructed by Milton J. Womack, Inc.
“Today we celebrate the extraordinary generosity of the Hogs for the Cause team and all the donors who made this possible,” said Ann Marie Marmande, Our Lady of the Lake Foundation president. “This home is transformative for our patient families and will have a profound impact for decades to come.”