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Services The Ronald McDonald Houses are located near children's hospitals and offer families a refuge 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Up to eight families can be accommodated in the Long Branch House with another six in New Brunswick. All bedrooms feature a private bath, phone line and answering machine. Disability accessible rooms are available. The families share a fully equipped kitchen, common living and quiet areas, a wonderful playroom, laundry facilities and lovely gardens with an outdoor play area. Houses are designed to encourage guest interaction and it is not uncommon for families to get together in the kitchen to share a meal, to discuss their sick child's situation or ways to deal with the everyday occurrences of living with a child in the hospital.
The financial costs accompanying the treatment of a seriously ill child are often enormous. Many parents take time off from work, while some have to leave their job altogether in order to care for their child. This has a strong impact on all families, but especially those with low to moderate incomes. The Ronald McDonald House helps in reducing costs, as the room rates are far more reasonable than those of a local hotel. Families are asked for a contribution of $10.00 a night for their stay, but no family is ever turned away if they are unable to pay.
Medical care or counseling is not given in the House. The purpose is to provide a secure and happy place for families and for their sick children when they are able to be away from the hospital. Families receive tender, loving care and a sympathetic ear when they need them. Staff and volunteers, trained to know when a family needs assistance, to talk or to be left alone, are available 24 hours a day. Children often comment that they feel “safe” in the House where they don't have to think about what happens to them at the hospital. Parents can take a much needed break or spend time with their children, doing everyday “kid things” like reading a book, playing a video game, drawing on a chalk board, surfing the internet or baking cookies.
Hygiene products, linens, towels, and food items are provided to families. Through the generosity of the community, guest families can receive gift certificates to local restaurants, tickets to entertainment events and new items such as toys, school supplies and clothing. Some nights volunteers or a local restaurant will provide a meal for all of the families in the House. If a family feels it needs additional assistance not provided in the House, such as grief counseling, financial assistance, etc., the Ronald McDonald House staff reach out into their community network to obtain appropriate referrals for these services.