Working with the Mark Preece Family House

During the first semester of the Public Relations program at Mohawk, you are assigned a group from your class and a local charitable organization to work with. For this organization, your group does two things: writes a communication Audit and later on in the semester, runs a fund-raiser. I had the pleasure of working with the Mark Preece Family House, which provides rooms and a place to stay to out-of-town families whose loved ones are being treated in Hamilton hospitals. The House does not receive any ongoing government, corporate, or United Way funding, and is not a part of Hamilton Health Sciences. This can be a great alternative for families to stay in, opposed to a hotel. Firstly, the House is much more affordable than a hotel. Next, guests can often have the opportunity to meet and bond with other guests who may be going through a similar type of hardship. In addition, the staff and volunteers are aware of what the visitors may be experiencing, and in turn, act accordingly.

As this was the first chance I had in the program of working with a real client, it was an exciting and eye-opening experience. Our group got a tour of the House, got to meet and converse with individuals that keep the House up and running, and had a chance to learn all about what the organization stands for, and how it survives through donations and room rentals. During our tour, I was able to see just how beautiful, homey, and well-kept the House was. It's evident that the organization works hard to make the space very similar to a real home. This partnership with the client gave me the chance to learn all about an organization I otherwise may have never heard about. You don't often hear about a charity with services such as these unless you're in the unfortunate situation of needing them yourself. The Mark Preece Family House stands for a great cause, and is very fitting being located in Hamilton, as the city has become such a hub for healthcare. I feel both lucky and grateful to have worked with and learned about this organization. It's become something I feel passionate about, and make an effort to tell friends and family about.