Wish Application

Dear Parent,

New Hope for Kids grants wishes to children who live in Central Florida, are not yet 19 years of age who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. This does NOT necessarily mean that the child is currently terminally ill. A life-threatening illness is defined by NHFK as any illness which will in all likelihood shorten the child’s full life expectancy. Serious illness leaves little time or finances to accommodate a special wish, which could add something positive and encouraging to a child’s life. New Hope for Kids offers a once-in- a-lifetime opportunity to make that wish come true!

We realize that a life-threatening illness causes serious emotional and financial strain on the entire family. While we are not able to cure your child’s illness, we would like to brighten his/her life by making possible something he/she would like very much to have or do. It is important to us that the wish is the child’s wish, not something whose idea came from a parent or brother or sister. If a child’s wish is for a trip or to visit a place, we attempt to include the immediate family in the granting of the wish. We also hope that by granting the child’s wish we bring respite to the entire family. If a child is non-verbal, parents are consulted to determine the wish in the child’s best interest.

If you have a child who would like to be considered for New Hope’s Wishes for Kids, please complete the attached forms accompanied by the medical acknowledgment verifying that your child has a life-threatening illness and is medically cleared to receive the requested wish. It is crucial for the forms to be filled out completely including witness signatures and dates. Any adult present while you sign the forms can be a witness for your signature. A notary’s seal is not required. You may email to tezmon@newhopeforkids.org, fax the application to (407) 331-3063 or mail to New Hope for Kids at 544 Mayo Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751. Families are notified upon receipt of the application. A visit will be arranged between parent(s), child and the New Hope for Kids Wish Manager. New Hope for Kids’ goal is to grant 100% of all wish requests of children meeting established criteria. Please read the guidelines and criteria carefully for more information. New Hope for Kids reserves the right, however, to refuse a wish if the physician feels it is not in the best interest of the child or if the wish is beyond the scope of New Hope for Kids Wish abilities.

Sincerely,

Tezmon Oehler
Wish Program Director

Click here to download the wish application
Submit via fax or email:
Fax: 407-331-3063
Email: tezmon@newhopeforkids.org

Criteria for a Wish

  • The Wish Child must be eighteen years of age or younger. Children under the age of three will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A recent photo is requested with the application.
  • The Wish Child’s attending physician(s) must verify that the Wish Child has a life-threatening illness. A life-threatening illness is defined by New Hope for Kids as any illness, which will in all likelihood shorten that child’s life expectancy. Parents or guardians must provide a completed, witnessed physician verification when submitting the application.Autism, ADHD, or other behavioral or emotional challenges are NOT life-threatening conditions. However, IF these disorders are accompanied by a physical illness that is considered to be life-threatening, then the child would meet the wish criteria.
  • The Wish Child’s attending physician(s) must give medical approval in writing for a wish in order for New Hope for Kids to grant the request (included on Medical Acknowledgement Form). NHFK’s consulting physician will review physician forms and preapprove wishes prior to granting of wish.
  • Wishes will be limited to one wish per family. New Hope for Kids does not grant wishes to a child who has previously received a wish from another wish-granting organization. New Hope for Kids has no obligation to consider applications in the order in which they are received.
  • Wishes are limited to children who live in Orange, Seminole, Osceola or Brevard Counties.
  • Wishes will not be granted for trips to Hawaii, Alaska or outside the United States or wishes beyond our financial resources.

If a child is non-verbal, parents are consulted to determine the wish in the child’s best interest.