RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT THE MARIA FARERI CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL INC

WHEN CHILDREN MUST TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES TO ACCESS TOP MEDICAL CARE, ACCOMMODATIONS AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES CAN BE EXPENSIVE OR NOT READILY AVAILABLE. THE ORGANIZATION HELPS FAMILIES STAY CLOSE TO THEIR ILL OR INJURED CHILD THROUGH THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE PROGRAM LOCATED IN VALHALLA, NY WHICH PROVIDES TEMPORARY LODGING, MEALS AND OTHER SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL COMFORT AND INCREASES THE CAREGIVERS' ABILITY TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEIR CHILD, TO INTERACT WITH THEIR CLINICAL CARE TEAM AND TO PARTICIPATE IN CRITICAL MEDICAL CARE DECISIONS.THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE TYPICALLY OPERATES AT MAXIMUM CAPACITY WITH A WAITLIST OF FAMILIES WHO HAVE REQUESTED A ROOM. THE OVERFLOW HOUSING PROGRAM ALLOWS THE ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE FAMILIES AND PATIENTS WHO ARE FORCED TO BE WAITLISTED WITH ALTERNATE ACCOMMODATIONS AT LOCAL HOTELS OR AIRBNB HOMES UNTIL A ROOM AT THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE BECOMES AVAILABLE. THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY HELPFUL DURING COVID AND HAS ALLOWED THE ORGANIZATION TO SERVE FAMILIES THEY OTHERWISE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS LIMITING OCCUPANCY. DURING THEIR TIME SPENT WITH THE ORGANIZATION, FAMILIES OFTEN DON'T HAVE THE TIME, RESOURCES, OR ENERGY TO MAKE A MEAL FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY WHILE ALSO DEALING WITH THEIR CHILD'S MEDICAL ISSUES. THE RMHGHV PROGRAM ACCOUNTS FOR THIS AND PROVIDES THE MEAL PROGRAM TO ENSURE FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO FULLY PREPARED MEALS DAILY DURING THEIR STAY. VOLUNTEERS, LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND STAFF PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE MEAL PER DAY TO EACH INDIVIDUAL UTILIZING A RMHGHV PROGRAM. THIS INCLUDES THOSE WHO USE THE OVERFLOW HOUSING PROGRAM, PARENTS, SIBLINGS AND PATIENTS, BOTH INPATIENT (IF DESIRED) AND OUTPATIENT.IN 2023, RMHGHV SERVED OVER 2,000 INDIVIDUALS WITH OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS, RESPITE AND MEALS. IN TOTAL, MORE THAN $17,000 MEALS WERE PROVIDED TO FAMILIES.