Providing a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children.
Ronald McDonald House Charities
28 Employees | 35 Years In Service
28 Employees | 35 Years In Service
Providing a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children.
For 35 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) St. Louis has been providing comfort, care and a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children. The first Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis was established in 1981 as an eight-bedroom facility with the mission of providing a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children who must travel to St. Louis for medical treatment. Since that time, the organization has grown to include two additional Ronald McDonald Houses and eight long-term apartments, all of which can provide lodging to 59 families every night.
The actual cost for one family’s one-night stay at the Ronald McDonald House is $85; however, families are asked to pay between $5 and $15 per night for their stay. Approximately 50% of guest families cannot afford this donation, and thanks to generosity of The Dana Brown Charitable Trust & the St. Louis Community, no family is ever turned away based on ability to pay.
Children whose families stay at the RMH tend to be the sickest, have traveled the furthest distances for care and spend the longest time in the hospital. RMHC St. Louis is dedicated to serving the needs of children by providing temporary housing and other support services to families of seriously ill children who are receiving treatment at area hospitals. Their goal is to continue partnering with St. Louis pediatric hospitals and the community in order to increase access to quality, affordable healthcare by providing the facilities, personnel, and volunteers that best accommodate the needs of their families. Further, the Ronald McDonald House Program promotes family-centered care, a type of care that encourages collaboration between parents, children and medical professionals, and a type that 11 independent, peer-reviewed studies found to be beneficial for pediatric patients. By providing important benefits for children and their caregivers, such as improved psychological well-being and better perceptions of their child’s recovery, RMHC St. Louis is a valuable asset to the St. Louis pediatric medical community.
Since its beginning in 1981, the St. Louis Ronald McDonald Houses have served thousands of families. Therefore, there has been progressive wear and tear on the facilities. Extensive repairs and renovations were needed to ensure the health and safety of guest families. Because of the incredible support of the Dana Brown Charitable Trust, RMHC St. Louis has been able to embark on several major renovation and expansion projects throughout the years, ensuring that the St. Louis Ronald McDonald Houses are safe and comfortable for those who call them “home.” With the continued support from the Dana Brown Charitable Trust, Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis will be able to keep countless more families close at a time when it matters most.
