If These Walls Could Talk
The Dreamer Apartment
Opened in May 2018
The vision of the Yellow Door Foundation grew when it opened its second apartment, The Dreamer Apartment, in May 2018. The Dreamer Apartment is sponsored by a long-time friend of JoAnne McTague’s family and named in memory of JoAnne’s father whose passion was the “I Have a Dream” program that tutored children in Southeast Washington, D.C. (Apparently, the apple did not fall far from the tree when it comes to supporting causes benefitting children).
Since opening its doors, this one-bedroom, one-bath apartment has served as the home of 22 families. Many transplant families have felt comfort within its walls. It acts as a refuge for children and their families facing life-threatening illness.
Current Resident
Bentley
Bentley lives in Bluefield, VA with his grandmother, aunt, 2 sisters and a cousin. He turns 1o in August 2024.
Bentley was born with multiple birth defects (too many to list here) but through hard work, this past year was a great milestone year for him. He learned to ride a bike, swim with a life vest, and his G tube was removed. He even donated all of his drink thickeners to UVA’s food pantry for others like him that need that.
Bentley was doing well . However, he was put under sedation for an MRI and experienced complications which caused him to be put on a vent. He then required a trach and went on ECMO in order to be stable enough for the surgeries he required.
The family stayed at Dreamer Apartment for 6 weeks until Bentley was string enough to go home at the end of May 2024.