Ronald Mcdonald House Charities Of The Bluegrass Inc

THE MISSION OF RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE BLUEGRASS IS TO CREATE AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT DIRECTLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND STRENGTHEN FAMILIES BY KEEPING THEM TOGETHER IN TIMES OF MEDICAL NEED.

HOUSE PROGRAM - WHEN CHILDREN MUST TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES TO ACCESS TOP MEDICAL CARE, ACCOMMODATION AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES CAN BE EXPENSIVE OR NOT READILY AVAILABLE. RMHC OPENED IN 1984 AND HELPS FAMILIES STAY CLOSE TO THEIR ILL OR INJURED CHILD THROUGH THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE PROGRAM LOCATED IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES TEMPORARY LODGING, MEALS AND OTHER SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM ALSO 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 ORGANIZATION MADE A GRANT OF $120,000 TO THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE TRUST FUND TO PRESERVE AND INVEST FOR THE FUTURE BENEFIT OF THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF THE BLUEGRASS.

FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM - WHEN A CHILD IS CRITICALLY ILL, PARENTS MAY BE RELUCTANT TO LEAVE THE HOSPITAL. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE COMFORT AND SUPPORT TO THEIR CHILD, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PARENTS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REST, HAVE A MEAL OR HAVE A MOMENT OF QUIET. LOCATED INSIDE MEDICAL CARE FACILITIES, THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SERVES AS A PLACE OF RESPITE, RELAXATION, AND PRIVACY FOR FAMILY MEMBERS, OFTEN JUST STEPS AWAY FROM WHERE THEIR CHILD IS BEING TREATED. THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM PROVIDES PARENTS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO REMAIN CLOSE TO THEIR HOSPITALIZED CHILD AND TO BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THEIR CHILD'S HEALTH CARE TEAM. HAPPY WHEELS CARTS ARE A SUB-PROGRAM OF THE FAMILY ROOM AND PROVIDE BASIC SUPPLIES AND COMFORT OBJECTS FOR FAMILIES IN THE HOSPITAL, DEPLOYS LUNCHES WITH LOVE TO ENSURE THAT FAMILIES ARE NOURISHED, AND ALSO STOCKS HOSPITAL LOUNGE AREAS WITH HOT COFFEE AND SNACKS.

CAREMOBILE- THE RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILE ("RMCM") PROGRAM PROVIDES ACCESS TO PEDIATRIC MEDICAL AND OR HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES FOR CHILDREN LIVING IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. THE RMCM PROGRAM IS BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS TO HEALTH CARE, EXPANDING CRITICAL HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND EXTENDING THE CHARITY'S REACH TO COUNTLESS UNDERSERVED CHILDREN. THE RMCM PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN THAT ARE AT GREAT RISK OF DEVELOPING ACUTE CONDITIONS, CHRONIC DISEASES, AND EVEN SERIOUS LIFELONG ILLNESSES. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS, THE RMHC IS BRINGING CLINICAL SERVICES AND HEALTH EDUCATION DIRECTLY TO THOSE IN NEED, SO CHILDREN CAN RECEIVE HIGH QUALITY AND CONVENIENT CARE RIGHT IN THEIR OWN HOMETOWN.