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enCourage Kids Foundation

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enCourage Kids Foundation

We help humanize healthcare for children and families by resourcing impact-driven pediatric programs and supporting the Child Life Community.

Since 1985, enCourage Kids has helped humanize healthcare for children and their families by resourcing impact-driven pediatric programs and supporting the Child Life Community. Serving more than 1 million children annually, our programs offer relief from the constant burden of treatment, hospital stays, and doctor appointments, while also supporting pediatric facilities in meeting the unique needs of their patients. enCourage Kids Foundation envisions a world where every child–regardless of the difficulty of his or her medical journey—experiences joy, hope, resilience, and healing.

09/21/2026

Kids don’t always have the words to explain what they’re feeling. Sometimes, they just know that something feels too big, too heavy, or too hard to handle alone.

That’s why listening matters. Checking in matters. Creating safe spaces to talk matters.

This Su***de Prevention Month, let’s remind every child that they don’t have to have all the answers, find the perfect words, or face difficult moments on their own. There is always room to ask for help. There is always someone willing to listen.

A simple “How are you really doing?” can open the door to a conversation that matters.

Let’s give kids the tools to name their feelings, the confidence to speak up, and the reassurance that their voices will be heard.

Because every child deserves to know: Your feelings matter. Your voice matters. You matter.

09/20/2026

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. A month to see the child beyond the diagnosis, celebrate their courage, and remind every child facing cancer that they are never alone.

Every week, more than 290 children and adolescents in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer.

And while treatment can bring long hospital stays, difficult procedures, and days that feel anything but normal, childhood is still happening.

There are birthdays to celebrate.
Stories to tell.
Games to play.
Friends to make.
Teddy bears to hug.

And plenty of reasons to smile.

That’s why play, connection, and child life support matter. Therapeutic play can help children cope with treatment, express their feelings, understand what is happening to them, and find a sense of control in an unfamiliar environment.

There is also reason for hope. Since 1962, advances in childhood cancer treatment have helped increase the overall survival rate in the U.S. from about 20% to more than 80%.

But there is still more work to do.

This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we’re standing with every child, every sibling, every parent, every survivor, and every care team working toward brighter tomorrows.

Because every child deserves more than treatment. They deserve moments of joy, connection, comfort, and childhood.

And we’ll keep showing up to help make those moments possible.

09/15/2026

Last week, we had the absolute joy of celebrating Teddy Bear Day with Teddy, KZTV, and the incredible team at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital for a very special game of Teddy Bear Bingo.

It was an afternoon filled with laughter, excitement, a little friendly competition, and some very big winners, including our special guest, Kole. But beyond the fun of the game, the day was a beautiful reminder of why Teddy is so much more than a teddy bear.

Throughout the game, we saw the many ways Teddy can show up for children in the hospital: helping with meditation and mindfulness, joining in on makeup tutorials, creating playlists, offering comfort and companionship, and even taking part in medical interventions. Teddy can be a friend, a source of courage, a distraction, a creative partner, and sometimes simply something familiar to hold onto when everything else feels unfamiliar.

For a child spending time in a hospital, those moments matter. Play matters. Laughter matters. Having something that feels like your own matters. And having Teddy by your side can help make a difficult experience feel a little less overwhelming and a little more like childhood.

We are so grateful to the entire KZTV team and the incredible team at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital for welcoming us and for sharing in this very special celebration. Thank you for creating spaces where kids can simply be kids, even in the middle of a hospital stay.

And, of course, a very special thank you to Teddy for being the star of the show. We’re lucky to see all the ways you bring comfort, connection, and a little more joy to children when they need it most. 🧸

09/11/2026

Today, we remember.

We remember the lives so tragically lost on September 11, 2001. We remember the families who were forever changed. We remember the first responders, firefighters, police officers, medical professionals, and everyday New Yorkers who ran toward danger to help others.

We remember the extraordinary courage that emerged in the darkest hours.

And we remember our great city of New York.

A city that grieved together. A city that stood together. A city that, in the years since, has continued to show the world what it means to carry one another through unimaginable loss and keep moving forward with hope.
At enCourage Kids Foundation, we believe in the power of compassion, connection, and the human spirit, especially in difficult moments. Today, we honor every life, every hero, every family, and every act of courage that became part of our city’s story.

May we never forget.

And may we continue to choose kindness, courage, hope, and one another.

09/08/2026

Tomorrow is National Teddy Bear Day, and for us, it’s about so much more than a stuffed toy.

For a child in the hospital, the world can suddenly feel very different.

There are unfamiliar rooms, new faces, medical equipment, long days, and moments that can be frightening or confusing. Play can become harder to find. So can the simple comfort of feeling like a kid.
That’s where Teddy comes in.

Teddy isn’t just a stuffed toy. He’s a friend.
A soft place to land after a difficult procedure.

Someone to sit beside during a long wait. A companion for play, imagination, laughter, and those quiet moments when a child just needs something familiar to hold onto.

For more than 40 years, enCourage Kids Foundation has been working to make hospitals feel a little less overwhelming and a little more like places where kids can still be kids.

Teddy is part of that work. He brings comfort when a child needs it, but he also brings something just as important: the chance to play.

Because sometimes, a bear can be a friend. A friend can bring comfort. And comfort can make a hospital feel a little more like home.

Happy National Teddy Bear Day, from Teddy and all of us at enCourage Kids Foundation.

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/encourage-kids-foundation/fy26-send-a-smile-send-a-bear

09/04/2026

Here’s a special September message from Teddy:

Hi, everyone! Teddy here.

September is a pretty special month because National Teddy Bear Day is coming up, and I’ve been thinking about all the children I’ve had the joy of meeting.

There’s nothing I love more than being tucked into the arms of a child who needs a little extra comfort. But did you know I can also be part of play therapy?

With the help of child life specialists and healthcare professionals, I can help children practice medical procedures, understand what’s happening to their bodies, express big feelings, and make an unfamiliar experience feel a little less scary.

Sometimes I’m the patient. Sometimes I’m the doctor. Sometimes I’m just there for a very important hug.
And wherever I go, I’m happiest knowing I’m helping children across the country feel a little more comfortable, confident, and cared for.

This National Teddy Bear Day, help me reach even more children who need a friend to hold onto.

With love, Teddy

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/encourage-kids-foundation/fy26-send-a-smile-send-a-bear

08/28/2026

St. Mary’s Hospital for Children received a $7,500 enCourage Kids Foundation grant to enhance MDHC activity rooms with adaptive and sensory-friendly upgrades.

08/27/2026

Serving Up Smiles returns Monday, October 26, 2026, at Current at Chelsea Piers, and you’re invited!

Get ready for an unforgettable night featuring incredible chefs, curated cocktails, delicious wines, and exclusive auction items, all in support of children facing serious health challenges.

This isn’t just a night out. It’s a one-of-a-kind tasting experience where every bite, sip, and ticket helps bring joy and comfort to kids when they need it most.

Early bird pricing ends September 30, so don’t wait! Grab your ticket now and save.

Looking to make a night of it with friends? We have Young Professionals tickets and ticket bundles available, so bring your favorite people and come raise a glass for a great cause.

Let’s make it a night to remember.

https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/sf-0018000000hwl9WAAQ/events/vevt:6e7b3b6a-6f42-422d-8a93-8b3c86c47573/home/story?mc_cid=10710fb4ab

08/24/2026

This year at Serving Up Smiles, we’re thrilled to celebrate our Culinary Community Champion Award, honoring a leader whose passion for food is matched only by their commitment to making a difference.

This year’s honoree is Chef Maria Loi, internationally renowned chef, entrepreneur, author, television personality, and philanthropist.

Known as the Julia Child of Greece, Chef Loi has dedicated her career to sharing the wisdom of ancient Greek cuisine through a modern expression of the Mediterranean way of living. Through THE LOI METHOD — Tasty, Healthy, Easy, Live On It! — she inspires people to embrace food as a delicious pathway to health, wellness, and longevity.

With more than 36 cookbooks and her award-winning PBS series The Life of Loi: Mediterranean Secrets, Chef Loi has brought the flavors and philosophy of Greece to audiences around the world. She is also the founder of Loi Food Products, the namesake of Loi Estiatorio in Manhattan, and has cooked at the White House for Presidents Obama and Biden.

But what makes Chef Loi especially deserving of this honor is her commitment to giving back. As the founder of the Elpida Foundation, which supports children with cancer and their families, she has made philanthropy and compassion an integral part of her work.

We’re proud to honor Chef Maria Loi as this year’s Culinary Community Champion and celebrate all that she brings to the table — from her incredible food to her unwavering commitment to helping others.

Join us at Serving Up Smiles on Monday, October 26, and help us celebrate Chef Loi!

https://onecau.se/sus2026

08/22/2026

Going back to school after a hospital stay can bring a whole mix of feelings. Excitement about seeing friends and getting back to a routine, but maybe also some nerves about what has changed, what questions classmates might ask, or simply getting through that first day.

A little preparation can help make the transition feel more manageable. Talk with your child about what they can expect. If possible, connect with their teacher, school nurse, or support team before they return. Walk through the school day together, choose a favorite backpack or comfort item, and give your child the chance to ask questions or share what’s on their mind.

And remember, returning to school doesn’t have to mean jumping right back into everything at once. Some days may feel easier than others, and that’s okay. Celebrate the small wins: walking through the school doors, seeing a familiar face, making it through a full morning, or simply trying something that felt a little scary.

Most of all, remind your child that they are so much more than what they’ve been through. They are still learning, growing, laughing, playing, making friends, and being themselves.

A new school year is a fresh start. And they don’t have to take the first step alone.

One day. One step. One school bell at a time.

Address

New York, NY

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

+12123542878

Website

http://www.encourage-kids.org/

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