Any family with a child under 21 years of age who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment at a nearby hospital or medical facility is eligible to stay at our Houses. While we ask families to donate $15 per night for their stay, families are never turned away due to an inability to contribute.
Families and their children are welcome to stay at our Houses for as long as their child is under active medical care, and they may stay for the duration of their child’s treatment regardless of how long that may be. Stays at our Houses can be as short as one night or as long as several months, depending on a child’s illness or treatment.
We help families physically, economically, and emotionally during their child’s healthcare journey, reducing stress and financial burden for families when they must travel far from home to access medical care. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts operates two Houses serving families around the world: The Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut and The Ronald McDonald House of Springfield.
In addition to providing safe, comfortable accommodations and a caring environment, our Ronald McDonald Houses allow families to find a strong support system and establish relationships with other families who are facing similar anxieties, hardships and uncertainties. It is our goal for all families to find a home away from home and feel actively supported during tumultuous times.
Staying at our Houses ensures that families can focus on the health of their children, rather than burdens like grocery shopping, cooking meals, or doing laundry.
In each of our handicap accessible Houses, families are provided with a private guest room with a bathroom. In addition, each House has a large kitchen, a common dining room, a living room, and indoor and outdoor play areas. We also provide our families with:
Each Ronald McDonald House accepts referrals from the healthcare provider or social services department of the hospital or facility where a family’s child is being treated. To join the waitlist to stay at our House in Connecticut or Springfield, contact social services at the hospital or facility where your child will receive treatment. If you have questions about arranging a stay or receiving a referral, please reach out to our team.
“It’s always so hard making these trips to the hospital, but knowing we have such a wonderful place to stay sure helps a lot.”
“Thank you so much for this wonderful facility. Though our stay was short, after 14 long hours of travel by car, it was so nice to have a warm greeting and a ‘home’ to come to.”
“Staying here made a big difference for our son, who is easily upset by change, to have such a warm hospitable place to stay.”
Every day, families face the challenge of having a child in the hospital, and your generosity helps Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts keep them together. Learn more about our programs and join our community of supporters.
