Blogger19 Reunion: Target House A St. Jude Partner

As a part of Brizo’s Blogger19 Reunion tour of St. Jude’s facilities, we were taken on a tour of the Target House.  This facility, opened in 1999 as a generous gift from Target, provides long-term housing for St. Jude patients and their families when treatments last anywhere from three months to three years.  The goal was to make a private safe haven for families to live and feel at home during the on going stresses of long-term treatment.

Target House Exterior

Target House – Elephant Mascot representing long life, strength and playfulness.

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The Target House is is flooded with natural light and bright colors, making it a very cheerful place from the moment you walk through the doors.  While it is designed to be a sterile and easy-to-clean environment, it achieves this without the chemical and cold feeling of a hospital.  The floors are hardwood and low-nap carpets rather than cold tile, giving the place a warm and homey feeling.

Crown molding, wainscoting, rich wood accents, and spaces and furnishings designed and donated by celebrities make it very easy to forget you’re in a hospital environment.

Room in Target House

The Sean White Great Room – 70’s Rock & Roll Inspired Room

Families that stay at the Target House can enjoy private apartment suites with everything they need for day-to-day living and access to free laundry facilities.  In addition to giving families their private spaces, the designers of the Target House also understood the need for a supportive community and included plenty of common spaces for the enjoyment of the residents.  There is a library full of books and movies, a music room, an arts and crafts room, and plenty of playing areas.  There is also a communal dining room and kitchen available if families have days where they don’t want to use the kitchens provided in their private apartments.

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The Tiger Woods Library

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Brad Paisley Room

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 Guitar Light Fixture – Brilliant!

The final result is not just a beautiful design, but a healing one for both the patient and their family.  The Target House helps to turn the terrible and frightening task of battling pediatric cancer into a more comfortable stay for the entire family.  It embodies the true spirit and meaning of “home” by creating an environment which is beautiful, safe and comfortable!