Central New York Ronald Mcdonald House Charities Inc

HOUSING AND PROGRAMS FOR SICK CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF CENTRAL NEW YORK, INC. (RMHC OF CNY) CREATES, IDENTIFIES AND SUPPORTS PROGRAMS THAT DIRECTLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN IN CENTRAL NEW YORK AND NORTHERN PENNSYLVANIA. WE DEMONSTRATE THIS BY OPERATING THE 25-GUEST ROOM RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AS A HOME FOR FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN ARE HOSPITALIZED WITH SERIOUS ILLNESS OR INJURIES.WHEN PARENTS LEARN THAT A CHILD IS SERIOUSLY ILL, EVERYTHING CHANGES. DAILY ROUTINES ARE INTERRUPTED TO TRAVEL TO DISTANT CITIES FOR MEDICAL CARE. DINNERS COME FROM HOSPITAL CAFETERIAS OR VENDING MACHINES, AND THE COMFORTS OF HOME ARE TRADED FOR A CHAIR NEAR THE BEDSIDE OF A SICK CHILD. WITH THE SUPPORT OF DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF CENTRAL NEW YORK (RMHC OF CNY) PROVIDES COMFORT, CARE AND COMPASSION DURING A FAMILY'S MOST DIFFICULT TIME, ALLOWING PARENTS AND FAMILIES TO FOCUS ON WHAT REALLY MATTERS: THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THEIR CHILD. THE CNY RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE IS A HOME. OUR HOUSE AMENITIES INCLUDE 100% HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY, 25 GUEST ROOMS WITH PRIVATE BATHS, A LONG TERM STAY APARTMENT, ELEVATOR, LARGE FAMILY CENTERED KITCHEN, FAMILY DINING AREAS, COMMUNITY ROOM, FAMILY RESOURCE ROOM, WIRELESS ACCESS AND MORE. WE PROVIDE GUESTS WITH SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST A PRIVATE ROOM TO STAY IN AND HOME-COOKED MEALS. THE HOUSE OFFERS COMFORT, SUPPORT, AND RESOURCES TO FAMILIES, JUST MINUTES AWAY FROM AREA HOSPITALS IN SYRACUSE, AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH OTHER GUESTS WHO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO FACE THE UNTHINKABLE. AFTER ALL, FAMILIES ARE STRONGER WHEN THEY ARE TOGETHER, AND BY KEEPING THEM CLOSE, WE CAN PLAY A ROLE IN THE HEALING AND COPING PROCESS.WHEN FAMILIES WITH SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN TRAVEL TO SYRACUSE FROM COUNTIES THROUGHOUT UPSTATE NEW YORK AND NORTHERN PENNSYLVANIA TO RECEIVE MEDICAL CARE AT LOCAL HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, WE ARE ABLE TO OFFER THEM THE COMFORTS OF HOME AND AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE THEY CAN SHARE EXPERIENCES WITH OTHER FAMILIES. THE CHILDREN OF THESE GUEST FAMILIES WERE BEING TREATED AT AREA HOSPITALS FOR CANCER OR LEUKEMIA, HEART DISEASE, BRAIN INJURIES, CHRONIC HEALTH ILLNESSES, RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS, ACCIDENTS, AND COMPLICATIONS FROM PREMATURE BIRTH TO NAME A FEW. FAMILIES WHO STAY AT THE CNY RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE MUST LIVE MORE THAN 25 MILES FROM SYRACUSE. THE MAJORITY OF THE FAMILIES LIVE 50-100 MILES FROM SYRACUSE. THE CNY RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE IS CENTRALLY LOCATED JUST EAST OF DOWNTOWN SYRACUSE, NEAR THE THREE MAJOR HOSPITALS IT SERVES, CROUSE HOSPITAL, ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL HEALTH CENTER, AND UPSTATE GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND THEIR CLINICS.THE CNY RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE WAS BUILT ON THE SIMPLE IDEA THAT NOTHING ELSE SHOULD MATTER WHEN A FAMILY IS FOCUSED ON THE HEALTH OF THEIR SICK CHILD. FOR 39 YEARS, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF CENTRAL NEW YORK HAS PROVIDED FAMILIES WITH A COMFORTING PLACE TO STAY WHEN THEIR ILL AND INJURED CHILDREN SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT AT SYRACUSE HOSPITALS. THIS PHILOSOPHY HAS REMAINED STEADFAST EVEN DURING A GLOBAL HEALTH CRISIS. WHEN FACED WITH THE CONTINUED UNCERTAINTY OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN 2021, THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT NEVER WAVERED.WE HAVE PROVIDED A TEMPORARY HOME AND COMPASSIONATE CARE TO SEVERAL GUEST FAMILIES. WE OPERATE WITH A ROBUST SET OF PROCEDURES AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS ARE DESIGNED TO PROTECT GUEST FAMILIES AND STAFF MEMBERS TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE. AS WE CONTINUE TO EVOLVE AND ADJUST IN RESPONSE TO THE ONGOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR GUEST FAMILIES, STAFF AND THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE SERVE, REMAINS OUR TOP PRIORITY.WE ARE CONSTANTLY REMINDED OF THE VALUE OF FAMILY-CENTERED CARE AND THE UNIQUE ROLE WE PLAY IN ENABLING THAT CARE MODEL IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE BELIEVE THAT WHEN A CHILD IS SICK, THE ENTIRE FAMILY NEEDS COMFORT AND SUPPORT DURING THEIR HEALTH CARE JOURNEY. THAT IS WHY WE ARE COMMITTED TO INCREASING ACCESS TO CARE BY REMOVING GEOGRAPHIC, CULTURAL, AND FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO ENSURE FAMILIES HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE FULLY INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILD'S MEDICAL CARE PLAN. TO REINFORCE THAT COMMITMENT, THERE IS NO CHARGE TO FAMILIES WHO STAY AT THE CNY RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE. BY PROVIDING VITAL RESOURCES AND A FAMILY-CENTERED SPACE AT NO COST TO GUEST FAMILIES, WE CAN HELP REDUCE STRESS AND ALLEVIATE A FINANCIAL BURDEN. AFTER ALL, FAMILIES ARE STRONGER WHEN THEY ARE TOGETHER, AND BY KEEPING THEM CLOSE, WE CAN PLAY A ROLE IN THE HEALING AND COPING PROCESS. RESEARCH SHOWS: PATIENTS WHOSE FAMILIES STAY AT A RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OFTEN ARE THE SICKEST, TRAVELED THE FARTHEST DISTANCES AND SPENT THE LONGEST TIME IN THE HOSPITAL FAMILY PROXIMITY TO THE HOSPITAL CAN PROVIDE IMPORTANT PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS PARENTS OFTEN GET BETTER SLEEP WHEN THEY STAY AT A RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE FAMILIES WHO STAY AT A RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OFTEN REPORT MORE POSITIVE HOSPITAL EXPERIENCES AND A GREATER ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR CHILD'S CAREA GUEST FAMILY FROM POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK WHO STAYED AT THE CNY RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE FOR 60 NIGHTS SHARED THE FOLLOWING "ONE YEAR AGO, RIVER WAS FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE IN THE NICU AFTER BEING BORN PREMATURELY. WE WERE TAKING IT DAY BY DAY, HOPING THAT HE WOULD JUST MAKE IT THROUGH EACH NIGHT. LOOKING BACK, WE TRULY BELIEVE THAT US BEING ABLE TO SEE HIM EVERY DAY AND JUST HOLD HIM IMPACTED HOW QUICKLY HE GREW IN THE NICU. AND WE NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SPEND THAT INVALUABLE TIME WITH HIM IF NOT FOR THE CNY RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE. TODAY, RIVER IS 100% ON TRACK FOR HIS ADJUSTED AGE, AND EVEN EXCELLING IN CERTAIN AREAS. WE FEEL INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL."LOOKING AHEAD TO THE MONTHS AND YEARS AHEAD, THE NEED FOR THESE SERVICES IS GROWING. FAMILIES WITH SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN CONTINUE TO TRAVEL TO SYRACUSE FOR SPECIALIZED MEDICAL CARE, AND WHEN THEY DO, THE CNY RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE IS THERE FOR THEM.