RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF NEW YORK INC

Results: More than 25,000 families have stayed at Ronald McDonald House New York since opening its doors over 30 years ago.

Programs: Rmdh of new york is a "home away from home" for pediatric cancer patients and their families while receiving outpatient treatment at our 13 partnering hospitals. The largest program at rmdh of new york is to provide a low cost temporary home for the families during their stay in new york. The house has 84 guest rooms, laundry facilities on each guest floor, sixteen kitchens, dining area, living room, chapel, two outside terraces, an atrium, playroom and two computer rooms. The house also provides roundtrip transportation services to families for hospital appointments. The organization has a hospital outreach initiative to provide services not only for our guests but also for local families, not staying at the organization. As a new york city charity which provides services for families from around the united states and various parts of the globe, the organization has always been challenged with the proper vehicle to develop and expand our services to the residents of the five boroughs of new york. This three-pronged initiative includes hospital outreach programs for new york city children who are not residents of the organization yet need support while undergoing treatment, inpatient services for our children and families when they are admitted to a partner hospital and navigation services to help first-time families become acclimated to their environment in new york city while supporting their child's health care experiences. The project is currently in the pilot phase with a small group of our partner hospitals. The outreach program is the first step in developing a long-term growth strategy for the organization. The programs give families the opportunity to share experiences, make new friends, and create a support group while building a friendly caring, supporting and fun community.

the rmdh of new york comprehensive education and family activities program consists of comprehensive education programs, emotional and spiritual support programs and dog therapy programs. The core educational program consists of after school tutoring for patients and siblings to assist in keeping education as stable part of the child's daily routine. In addition to this program, rmdh offers esl for parents who have difficulty with english. Rounding out the core education program are science, art, music, care giver support programs, and self-defense/dance movement. Our computer lab assists our guests to stay in touch with friends and family as well as a communication network to maintain work-related commitments. The care giver support programs are vital to parents' well-being and stress management as they manage the treatment process for their child. These group programs provide a support network for up to 84 families who stay at the house. The programs include a caregiver support group, new guest orientation, women's wellness and exercise, interfaith prayer service, hope and healing mass with sacrament of the sick and a spirituality and support group.

the family service program teams at the ronald mcdonald house of new york were developed to be a multi-team focused program. Each volunteer team consists of 12-18 volunteers with two team leaders for every night of the week. The volunteer team leaders coordinate the team's activities during their assigned night. Each team is responsible to create and implement an activity of program on their night, 52 weeks per year. The main objective of the volunteer program teams is to meet the supportive needs of the children and families within a community of caring. These activities help the families unwind after a long day at the hospital and give them time to be a family and interact with other guests in a fun and comfortable environment. We offer a community for volunteers that give them the opportunity to be in relationships and support each other while giving of their time and resources through a group effort. We help to create community goodwill, to keep volunteers connected to each other, to maintain a relationship to our donors and to bridge the work of the staff with our guests.

camp ronald mcdonald - where else can you build a volcano, enjoy roasted marshmallow s'mores, create the best water balloon and laugh until you cry, all in one place? Camp ronald mcdonald of course! During the months of july & august, children staying at the ronald mcdonald house can enjoy exciting camp activities like kayaking, trapeze school, arts & crafts, drama, dance, water games, sports and tons more! The camp volunteers are incredible and create a special magic for camp at the house!