1st Donation to Shriners Hospitals for Children - Tampa, Florida

Bea Hernandez (Yoli’s cousin), George Alvin (Vice President of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) and Yoli Alvin (President of AAFH) made a delivery of 50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to Tara Paustian-CCLS Child Life Senior Therapist and Ivelisse Zambrano-Donor Development Assistant at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Tampa on Monday, July 1, 2019. This is our first visit to Shriners Hospitals for Children, and we received a guided tour of the facility by Bob Clifford-one of the Shriners who volunteers his time every Monday.

We delivered six different types of Alyssa SAKs to Shriners Hospitals including journal kits, ocean coloring kits, drawing kits, watercolor art kits, acrylic art kits and color me lunch bags. We had the pleasure of giving some of Alyssa SAKs to children who were there for their appointments. It is great to know that we are sharing Alyssa’s love of art with the children being treated at Shriners. This is the place where one of our art kit recipients, João, was being treated and it is great to spread Alyssa SAKs at more medical institutions where teens and young adults are being treated. The art kits are given to teens and young adult patients with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.

We thank our volunteers who often assist preparing the Alyssa Starter Art Kits and the donors who provide the young patients with the opportunity to be creative during their medical journey.

Alyssa’s legacy lives on!

Art Night and Delivery of Alyssa Starter Art Kits at RMH near Loyola Hospital

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held an Art Night and delivered Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) near Loyola Hospital in Maywood, IL on Wednesday, May 22, 2019. We brought sculpting clay for the patients and their family members to shape into anything they wanted and paints to color them.

AAFH made a donation of 25 SAKs of various types including journal, drawing and watercolor painting kits. Kaihla, the Evening House Manager at RMH helped us set up for the event and was very glad to receive the kits on behalf of the children and families staying at the RMH. Many of the participants took a SAK with them after creating their clay sculptures during the event.

This was one of the most well-attended art nights we’ve held in quite a while. We never know how many participants will be available but, on this evening, we had over half a dozen youths and at least as many family members creating sculpted forms, painting them and in the process sharing laughter and compliments with one another!

We were fortunate to meet Ish, a young patient from The Gambia, a small West African country, bounded by Senegal, with a narrow Atlantic coastline. He was with us while receiving treatments for his illness and, like little boys everywhere, he had a fondness for action figures. We met a young couple from Fortaleza, Brazil who had 2 beautiful children, a toddler who enjoyed herself immensely and a newborn who was very vocal too. We met others for the first time and got re-acquainted with another Mom from Canada we had met previously while staying at the RMH while her child received treatment at the hospital.

Spring fever was in the air that night and it infected, in a good way, our art participants with creativity and joy. We received much gratitude from the families for our volunteer efforts, but we are the ones who are grateful for the opportunity to share our love of Alyssa and our mission of the AAFH!

AbilityLab Receives 45 Alyssa Starter Art Kits

A delivery of Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) was made to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, Illinois on Monday, May 13, 2019.

Yoli – AAFH President met the Art Therapist- Lynne Linkowski who is part of the Therapeutic Recreation Department (TRD).  AbilityLab has a floor dedicated to Oncology patients and Lynne will make sure they promote our Gift Recipient Program to those young adult patients.  Each day TRD works with young patients who are interested in expressing themselves through music and art. 

We delivered a variety of Alyssa SAKs which included 5 different types of kits: acrylic, watercolor, drawing, journals, and adult coloring books.

The Alyssa SAKs will be available for teens and young adults between the ages of 10 and 21 staying at the AbilityLab.   

We continue to share Alyssa’s love of art and promote the programs offered by Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope!

AAFH Delivers Alyssa SAKs to São Paulo, Brazil

On Monday, May 6, 2019, Claudia Martin de Goncalves and her husband, João Paulo, were accompanied by their friend, Verena, as well as Yoli, President of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) in delivering 30 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to Casa Ronald McDonald in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil*.

*Disclosure: Travel expenditures, i.e., airfare and lodging expenses, were not paid by the AAFH.

Almost a year ago, Yoli and George met Claudia and her son, João Pedro “JP”, who were staying at Ronald McDonald House East in St. Petersburg, Florida. JP participated in the afternoon Art Activity sponsored by AAFH and a friendship with JP and Claudia was born.

In mid-April of this year, Claudia and JP, returned to Florida for a follow-up visit for JP’s medical condition at Shriners Hospital in Tampa, FL. While staying at the RMH East in St. Petersburg they reunited with Yoli.

In preparation for the trip to São Paulo, Claudia contacted Casa Ronald McDonald in Campinas, São Paulo as well as the Boldrini Children’s Center, a children’s hospital with a large hematology/oncology patient base.

Upon our arrival at Casa Ronald McDonald, we were greeted by the Manager, Elen Mirian Casonato, and her Assistant, Daniella, who gave us an extensive tour of the facility. This RMH has a capacity for 28 residents and on the day of our visit, there were 23 rooms being occupied by families with sick children. Elen expressed her gratitude for the delivery of the Alyssa Starter Art Kits which included various types such as journals, drawing and adult coloring book kits. As can be seen from the pictures, the Alyssa SAKs were given to youths who clearly displayed their happiness in receiving the art materials.

We are grateful to the Goncalves family for their wonderful work in contacting and coordinating with local staff to organize the visits to the Casa Ronald McDonald and the Boldrini Children’s Center in Campinas and for their warm hospitality during the weekend. Yoli got to spend lots of time with JP and his 3 year-old beautiful little sister.

Claudia and her husband, João Paulo, want to spread the mission of AAFH in their country of Brazil. They embrace the joy of art and music as Alyssa did and want to spread that same joy to other patients in their state of São Paulo.

This personal experience and heartfelt love of this family will forever remain in our hearts and now they too are a part of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation friends and family!

Music Event & Delivery of Alyssa SAKs to RMH East

It was a sunny day on Monday, April 29, 2019 when Alyssa’s parents & founders of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope, arrived to hold our first music event at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) East near All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins in St. Petersburg, FL. We brought a variety of percussion instruments such as a music triangle, music sticks, a two-tone wooden block, tambourine and maracas. As the children staying at the RMH heard we had arrived with musical instruments, they started coming to the Bubble Room and quickly started playing some of the percussion instruments they liked.

We presented Karen Matthews, RMH House Manager, with 50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits. The delivery included a variety of art kits such as adult coloring books, drawing kits, watercolor kits, acrylic kits and journals. Each child and family member selected an Alyssa SAK of their choice. A young girl, Bella, gave Yoli a butterfly she had made earlier with watercolors. Both were happy to meet each other.

We are thankful that we can share Alyssa’s love for the arts with others. Happy Spring to all of you!

AAFH Fundraiser at En Fuego Mexican Grille in Oakbrook Terrace, IL

On April 14, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) hosted a fundraiser at En Fuego Mexican Grille in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. This fundraising event was led by Daniel Guerrero, Alyssa’s cousin, who was recently added as a Board member of AAFH.

Daniel also came up with the idea to have a raffle for two cash prizes and a 55” 4K Smart TV at this event. All 500 tickets were sold thanks to the outpouring of support we experienced for this event. There were also smaller raffles for several gift baskets donated by a variety of local businesses. As a result, many of the attendees went home winners!

All attendees enjoyed hearty appetizers, soft drinks and entertainment provided by Marysela Aviles, a lovely singer of popular Mexican songs who accompanied herself on percussion. Marysela was introduced to us by Alyssa’s godmother, Nancy Nunez. Many of Nancy’s family members were also in attendance.

We had great participation from our existing Board members including Daniel Guerrero, Mary Jane Johnson, Denise Perez, Carmen Ziegler, and Vince, Alyssa’s brother, who recorded much of the event on video.

We appreciate and thank our event volunteers who came despite the snowy conditions on Sunday afternoon: Chris Coconate for coordinating the entrance and smaller raffles. Jorge Diaz for picking up and delivering the 55” 4K Smart TV to En Fuego. Roxie, David and Natalia for helping with the disassembling and cleanup at the end of the event.

Generous contributions for gift baskets, hair products and art pieces came from the following businesses and donors: Base Salon Chicago, C&C Insurance, Creative Staffing, En Fuego Mexican Grille, Villa Verone Italian Restaurant, El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant, Instrument Exchange, Kathy De’s Deli, Scully Logistics, Adrienne Guerrero and Ana Salgado.

This year we also had the pleasure of a very special guest, Dr. Martha Juarez and her teenage children, Nayelly and Hugo. They traveled all the way from Guadalajara, Mexico, to join us for this event as well as to attend other AAFH functions during their time here. What makes Dr. Martha special to us, though, is the passion and leadership she has demonstrated in expanding the work of Alyssa’s Foundation in Guadalajara. She has made a personal commitment to our mission and done so in a place where there are even less resources than most of us enjoy here in the U.S. Dr. Martha has also recently been added as a Board member and, more importantly, as a cherished friend of our extended family.

We are grateful to all our friends, supporters and donors in attendance or with us in spirit for carrying on Alyssa’s legacy of love for the arts and allowing us to continue to help other youth struggling with life-threatening illnesses.Thank you all so much!

Alyssa Starter Art Kits Donated to Chicago Hospitals

On Friday, April 12, upon arriving to Chicago from Guadalajara, Mexico, Dr. Martha Juarez-new Board member of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) accompanied Yoli-AAFH President for a delivery of Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to Willow Messier, Art Therapist at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Dr. Martha and Yoli were joined by Nayelly and Hugo, daughter and son, respectively, of Dr. Martha. Dr. Martha met Willow who was the Art Therapist who worked with Alyssa during her stay at Lurie’s and later assisted with identifying the supplies that should go into the SAKs. Willow took us to the Art/Music room on the 12th floor and showed us the musical instruments previously donated by the AAFH and Instrument Exchange.  The instruments are hung on the walls and are available to children who want to borrow them while in-patient at the hospital. Dr. Martha also had a chance to see Alyssa’s Geisha Collage on the wall of the 11th floor. Alyssa’s Geisha Collage reminds us of Alyssa’s strength as she completed this piece after coming out of a coma. Alyssa inspires all of us to continue working hard and enjoying life to its fullest.

The following Monday, April 15th, Dr. Martha, Nayelly and Hugo made a deliver of the Alyssa SAKs to Kari Batelson and Megan Hartnet, Child Life Specialists at Rush Children’s Hospital. Dr. Martha had the chance to see two of the local hospitals AAFH donates Alyssa SAKs to. She enjoyed meeting the Child Life staff and hopes to come again to assist in the art kit deliveries.

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope was created to give hope and provide outlets for creative expression through art and music for young patients dealing with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. The photos shown here are demonstrations of the efforts many people have made to give hope whether it be the many instruments that have been donated to create a music room at the hospital or the beautiful Geisha art piece that Alyssa created during her own treatment. As you can see, Alyssa’s inspiration continues to bring our family, friends and others interested in helping people together in her memory.

AAFH Hosts an Art & Music Night at RMH near Lurie’s in Chicago

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held an Art and Music Night at the RMH near Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, IL on Saturday, April 13, 2019. We brought art materials and percussion instruments for the patients and their family members to enjoy.

AAFH donated 50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) of various types including journals, drawing kits, coloring and painting (acrylic & watercolor) kits. April Hudson-Director of RMH was happy to receive the Alyssa SAKs from us as they are very popular with the young patients staying there.

Several family members came to our activity table and were happy to try some of the percussion instruments. They also were happy to receive one of the Alyssa SAKs. Many of them told us how they enjoy music and drawing art.

This event was also special in that we enjoyed the company of Dr. Martha Juarez and her daughter, Nayeli, and son, Hugo, who came in all the way from Guadalajara, Mexico. We met Dr. Martha and her family 4 years ago when Yoli-AAFH President, made a delivery of SAKs for the first time to Hospital Civil – Fray Antonio Alcalde in Guadalajara, Mexico. Since then, Dr. Martha has embraced the mission of AAFH and has become part of our extended family. She continues the Foundation’s work through her own initiative, and we are proud to bring her on as an AAFH Board Member.

We are grateful to have the opportunity to spread and encourage the joy of art and music that Alyssa had to other children and young adults wherever possible!

ComEd Employees Assemble 150 Alyssa Starter Art Kits in Oakbrook

On a pleasant spring day, Monday April 8, ComEd’s Energy Acquisition volunteers at the Commercial Center in Oakbrook, IL gathered with the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) President, Yoli Alvin, and AAFH Board member, Mary Jane Johnson to assemble a variety of Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs).

This volunteer event was coordinated by Albert “AJ” Griffith who participated in the first AAFH Art Kit Preparation in the Fall of 2017 hosted by Rita Alviar, Yoli’s co-worker and longtime friend). AJ presented the AAFH volunteer event to Scott Vogt, VP Energy Acquisition, who supported the idea of hosting this event. The volunteers donated funds towards the purchase of the art materials and Scott demonstrated his commitment by making a matching contribution to Alyssa’s Foundation. This event directly contributed to meeting Exelon’s 2019 Employee National Volunteer Month with 27 enthusiastic participants. Two employees from ComEd’s Energy Acquisition team, AJ and Eileen, went with Mary Jane and Yoli to deliver 50 of the Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to Central DuPage Children’s hospital in Winfield, IL. Natalie Schmidt-Child Life Intern received the Alyssa SAKs.

Yoli and Mary Jane delivered a short presentation about Alyssa, and the Foundation - why it was created, the Foundation’s four main music and art programs, the Foundation’s accomplishments since its inception and how interested ComEd employees can help promote AAFH.

Participating employees received lunch prior to beginning the assembly of 150 SAKs. These SAKs will be distributed and made available soon to children staying at a Ronald McDonald House or undergoing treatment at a Children’s Hospital. All the ComEd employees expressed enjoyment in doing this volunteer event together.

We thank all the volunteers for their generosity of time and donations to make a difference in young patients’ lives throughout the communities that the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope serves.Events like this enable us to further our mission to bring the joyful gifts of music and visual arts into the lives of children and young people who are battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Roberto Receives an Alyssa Starter Art Kit at AbilityLab

In March 2019, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) received a special note from a single dad named Roberto Gonzalez who lives in Chicago. Roberto wrote to let us know the impact an Alyssa Starter Art Kit (SAK) had on his life. Roberto told us he has one boy and three teenage girls and feels blessed to have his children. He expressed his condolences for our loss of Alyssa. We know, however, that Alyssa has impacted his life forever since he received one of Alyssa’s SAKs.

Roberto was hospitalized for several weeks with 3 broken limbs and felt useless until one day when, as he said, “I rolled into my room and there was Alyssa’s Art Kit”. He told us the only good limb he had was his drawing hand and he started drawing that same day. It gave him hope for his situation and a deeper appreciation for his family.

The mission of AAFH is to give hope and provide an outlet for creative expression through art and music and this is exactly what was experienced by Roberto on March 16, 2019, while he was at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago’s premier rehabilitation center. Alyssa was admitted there back in 2014 and is a place the Alvin family will always remember for their attentive care.

And on another note of coming full circle and life’s mysteries, it was only last year that Alyssa’s cousins, Daniel and Alexis Guerrero, had made a delivery of Alyssa’s SAKs to the AbilityLab which ultimately landed with Roberto. We wish Roberto, his family and fellow patients all the best of health.

A photo of his special note is shown below and it provides a true testament of how Alyssa’s inspiration continues to bring family, friends and others interested in helping people together in her memory.

Deliveries of Alyssa SAKS and an Art Night in Oak Lawn, IL

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) delivered Alyssa Starter Art Kits to both Advocate Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House in Oak Lawn, IL on Thursday, March 21, 2019. Each facility received 50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits of various types including journals, drawing paper, watercolors and acrylic painting kits as well as erasable lunch bags. Jenna, the Evening House Manager at RMH, was happy to receive these Alyssa Starter Art Kits from our Foundation and we are always happy to see her.

At the Art event, we provided Easter eggs made of plaster for decorating with paints and markers. We had participation from young parents who were dealing with serious health issues of newborns. Other participants were siblings of a seriously ill newborn. This fact was a reminder to us that entire families of all ages and generations are impacted when one of their loved ones is facing life-threatening health issues. The creative outlet that our Art Night provides is welcoming and impactful event for them.

There were plenty of shared stories and smiles as each of the participants did the detailed work of coloring their eggs. We are grateful to encourage the joy of art and music that Alyssa had and spread the mission of AAFH!

Gift of Art for Connor

On a Spring day on March 20, 2019 Connor sat patiently in the Ronald McDonald House living area on the first floor as he waited for AAFH Executive Board members- Carmen Ziegler and Yoli Alvin. Angela, Connor’s mom mentioned to Connor after his dinner that he would have visitors from AAFH. Connor smiled at her and became excited because he had submitted his Gift Request via our website immediately following the Music Night held at RMH a week before.

As soon as Yoli walked into the RMH lobby, she saw Connor smiling and walking towards her to help with the fully loaded art bag she was carrying.

Connor is going to be 10 in a few months and was diagnosed with Craniopharyngioma on January 15, 2019. He is in 3rd grade and lives in Zion, IL with his family. He is currently receiving treatment at the Proton Center in Warrenville, IL and staying at RMH near Central DuPage Hospital. During the Music Night held at this RMH on March 13th, Connor heard about AAFH and the art/music gift program we offered. Connor could not wait to fill out his gift request form.

Connor loves drawing sunsets and superheroes. He also likes bowling and enjoys watching the Green Bay Packers during the football season.

Connor drew a Frankenstein during the Music Night and is pictured with Yoli and his mom, Angela.

We are grateful to present Connor with his gift of professional art materials in Alyssa’s memory.

Alyssa SAK Delivery to Comer Children’s & University of Chicago Medicine

100 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) were delivered to Comer Children’s Hospital & University of Chicago Medicine in Hyde Park on Monday, March 11, 2019. The SAKs were received by Hailey Plote, Child Life Assistant who is the newest member of the Child Life Department and a college student.

Amy, Child Life Specialist at Comer Children’s Hospital, told us they are excited to receive more of Alyssa SAKs as they are very well received by the teens and young adult patients. The University of Chicago hospital has an Adolescent and Young Adults (AYA) Program and it focuses on working with teens and adults between the ages of 13 to 31 and is excited to give the young adult patients there some of Alyssa SAKs. Amy said, “both of these medical institutions will benefit from the starter art kits. Each facility received 50 Alyssa SAKs which included journals, adult coloring books, drawing, watercolor and acrylic kits.

We thank Comer Children’s Hospital and the University of Chicago Hospital for giving us the opportunity to share Alyssa’s love of art with patients at these hospitals and promoting the art and music programs offered by Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope!

SAKS Delivery to Advocate Children’s Hospital - Park Ridge Campus

50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) were delivered to the Advocate Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge, IL on Sunday, March 10, 2019. Beth and Kate, both Art Therapists, took receipt of five different kinds of Alyssa SAKs-acrylics, watercolors, adult coloring books, drawing and journal kits. These art materials will enable the young patients to express their creativity in a joyful manner while undergoing treatment for their illnesses.

We are thankful for the opportunity to share Alyssa’s love for the arts with young patients being treated in the Park Ridge Campus of the Advocate Children’s Hospital.

Eaden Happy with His Professional Art Package

Eaden is a 10-year old boy who lives with his family in Chicago, IL. Eaden was diagnosed in October 2018 with craniopharyngioma and is being treated at Northwestern Chicago Proton Center in Warrenville, IL.

We met Eaden when he participated in Art Night at Ronald McDonald House near Central DuPage Hospital on Monday, February 11, 2019. Some of the things Eaden likes to do include painting and working with clay. Eaden wants to learn art techniques and Fadia-Eaden’s Mom mentioned to us that she will be helping Eaden explore other art mediums and also participating in art projects with him.

On Wednesday, February 20th, Yoli visited Eaden at RMH to deliver his professional art supplies. Eaden was on the second floor while Yoli arranged all his art materials on a table in the main gathering room. Eaden told his mom he wanted to go downstairs because there was going to be an Art activity. He did not know at the time that all the art materials were for him. Eaden was surprised when he came down to find out it was all for him!

When Yoli presented Eaden his art supplies package, he thanked Yoli and he too gave her a special gift of a Money Tree plant and a hug. This made for a very special moment. Eaden exclaimed, “this makes me happy!” He will now be able to create art while at Lurie Children’s hospital or Chicago Proton center.

In addition to delivering Eaden’s gift, Yoli donated 50 of Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to Lauren White-RMH Manager. Eaden was able to get some of the Alyssa SAKs. He couldn’t help but continue to SMILE while we were there.

We are encouraged by Eaden’s strong will and we pray for his health. We look forward to seeing his artwork in the near future.

Delivery of Alyssa SAKs to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital – St. Pete’s

Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) were delivered to the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL on Monday, February 18, 2019. Executive Officers of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope: Yoli Alvin-President, George Alvin-VP/Treasurer and accompanied by Beverly Hann-volunteer met with a Child Life Staff member-Tricia Tyoe.

The SAKs included five different variations consisting of acrylic, watercolor, drawing, ocean coloring book and journal kits. We hope these kits will help bring a bit of joy and hope to those children going through a difficult time during their treatments for life threatening diseases.

At Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Tricia is the newest staff member of the Child Life Department. Tricia is looking forward to sharing our Alyssa brochures with the Oncology nurses and staff to ensure more children are able to take advantage of the Alyssa Foundation music and art gift recipient programs.

Tricia was grateful for the SAKs and stated they would be welcomed by the children receiving treatment at the hospital.

We look forward to continuing our relationship with Child Life at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.