Traditionally the “Family Room” in a home is a comfortable room where the family gathers when they want to retreat and catch their breath after a long day. Within the walls of the Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center is a very special Family Room for parents of seriously ill children.
The Ronald McDonald House Family Room is a place where families can collect their thoughts and spend a few minutes recovering from the stress that goes along with having a sick child. The Family Room invites parents and family members to take a brief respite from the long halls and confined rooms of the hospital.
The Ronald McDonald House Family Room is an extension of the Ronald McDonald House and provides the same warm home-like atmosphere for local families who long to be near their sick child and do not want to leave the hospital. The Room offers a peaceful place to have a snack and cup of coffee, watch TV., read, or receive information through a computer. Siblings can quietly play a game or relax.
The Family Room has two bedrooms for parents of the most seriously ill children. There is also a small kitchenette with a refrigerator and microwave. It is a place for parents, siblings and extended family members to rest or relax but still remain close to their child during the day while they visit the hospital. Our goal is to provide an uplifting setting that offers comfort and support to families of children receiving medical treatment. Our Family Room operates with the help of volunteers who staff and oversee the room. Each month, approximately 100 volunteers welcome families and help bring a warm friendly environment to the room. We rely on community support to provide complimentary snacks and beverages to stock the kitchen/snack area. RMHC also provides and replaces furnishings, toys, books, videos or other supplies as the need arises through the generous support of our friends and supporters.
|