Sterntalerhof, established in 1999, is a

children's hospice A Children's hospice is a hospice specifically designed to help children and young people who are not expected to reach adulthood with the emotional and physical challenges they face, and also to provide respite care for their families. Services ...

located in

Burgenland Burgenland (; ; ; Bavarian language, Austro-Bavarian: ''Burgnland''; Slovene language, Slovene: ''Gradiščanska''; ) is the easternmost and least populous Bundesland (Austria), state of Austria. It consists of two statutory city (Austria), statut ...

, Austria. Founded by

Deacon A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Major Christian denominations, such as the Cathol ...

Peter Kai and

Psychotherapist Psychotherapy (also psychological therapy, talk therapy, or talking therapy) is the use of Psychology, psychological methods, particularly when based on regular Conversation, personal interaction, to help a person change behavior, increase hap ...

Regina Heimhilcher, it began as an independent

nonprofit A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

charity association on a small farm. The hospice's mission is to provide support to families facing the

psychosocial The psychosocial approach looks at individuals in the context of the combined influence that psychological factors and the surrounding social environment have on their physical and mental wellness and their ability to function. This approach is ...

challenges of having a child with a life-threatening or life-limiting illness. Sterntalerhof is designed to be a place of refuge and recovery, offering hope and support to affected families. The hospice operates on three guiding principles: providing holistic support to seriously, chronically, or terminally ill children and their families; maintaining a dignified and natural environment; and utilizing an interdisciplinary approach, which includes therapies such as equine therapy. Annually, Sterntalerhof cares for over a hundred children and their families, extending support for coping with challenges in home environments through a mobile service system.

Public Recognition

As the Sterntalerhof is funded through

donations A donation is a gift for charity, humanitarian aid, or to benefit a cause. A donation may take various forms, including money, alms, services, or goods such as clothing, toys, food, or vehicles. A donation may satisfy medical needs such as blo ...

and has received several accolades: * Tax deductibility 2009 * Austrian Health Prize 2010 * Peter Kai elected "Austrian of the year" for his humanitarian commitment 2009 * Austrian donation seal of quality 2012 The Sterntalerhof supports of the "Vienna Charity Run".
/ref>

References

External links

* {{authority control Charities based in Austria Hospices