Personal/Emotional Support
Ronald McDonald House is more than just a place to stay. It’s a place where families can feel like they have a network of support during a very stressful period. This may include, but is not limited to the following:
- Special consideration for families that do not speak English through coordination with hospital social workers. Orientation and rules/policies information provided in Spanish.
- Check-in orientation to families to explain RMHC rules and policies.
- Cost-free stress relief and entertainment opportunities that directly benefit the guest families. Some examples include massage therapy, scrapbooking and stamping nights, gift certificates to local restaurants, tickets to local sports events such as the Royals and Chiefs, tickets to local theatre productions, storybook time for guest family children, supplies such as coloring books, crayons, stuffed animals, toys and games, videos, DVD’s, and computer games.
- “Help Desk” area where families can have direct contact with a staff member or volunteer from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Families can get directions, ask questions, find resources and simply see a friendly face or someone willing to listen.
- A dinner program which takes place a few nights per week and includes donated home-cooked meals for guest families.
- Celebration of holidays like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, etc. Visits from the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. Costumes for children to wear for Halloween.
- Sensitivity and assistance to families who are in crisis. Assistance to those who experience the death of a child, including help in notifying other family members, communicating information to RMHC staff, and other requests a family may have.
- Identify important family events like birthdays, anniversaries, first steps, first teeth, etc., and help families to celebrate.