Providing Access...It's What We Do!

The Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Northwest Ohio has been a beacon of purpose for our Northwest Ohio/Southeast Michigan (Toledo Area) community that looks to take care of families that are experiencing the worst days of their lives. When a child is sick, the family is sick. When the child has a treatment plan, the family has a treatment plan.

We know the long term advantages of a family being involved in the treatment plan for their children are lifelong and profound. This is the product that RMHC provides in so many cities, states and countries all over the world. Our community right here in northwest Ohio has responded to the need of these families in big ways every single day since we first opened our doors (and have never closed - not even for one minute) on December 9, 1982.

On our 33rd anniversary on December 9, 2015 we moved into a new House. Families that were staying with us literally were able to pack a suitcase and move into the new House just across the street. This was a little inconvenient but the services provided were not interrupted for even a minute. The staff and the volunteers helped them gather their things, pack up and get a ride/find their way if they chose to walk. Another group of staff and volunteers greeted them at their new House, helped them find their room, and had a meal prepared (complete with desserts) for when they were settled. I am proud of the work we come together to do everyday, but this day was special. We were "all in" to ensure that the families we serve would still be top priority. We loved the new space and all of the planning that went into the design, building process and even the decor, but it wasn't ever really about the building. It was about how the building would better serve those families moving in on that day, and the families in our community that will need the Ronald McDonald House for years to come. It was about how this facility would serve the community that so graciously supported the campaign to raise the funds needed to make this House a Home, and how we continue to Keep Families Close. Keeping Families Close is more than a tagline. Its built into our DNA and reinforces our principles, values, culture, our vision forward and our knowledge of what it is that we do. Access is the key. If access to healthcare, the treatment plan and the resources is what families need, we are proud to be able to keep them close.

The first Ronald McDonald House opened its doors on October 15, 1974 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and this life changing mission was born. It was all about Keeping Families Close then and is still all about that today. As our organization evolves to meet the needs of the community, we see changing landscape in the area of access to healthcare. RMHC of Northwest Ohio is responding to this evolution. We know that children and their families spend considerable amounts of time inside the walls of the hospital and the respite that they enjoy coming back to the Ronald McDonald House is important, but how can we be there for them all day long? Can we be there for them right inside the walls of the hospital? Can we commit to family hospitality suites and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms right inside our partner hospitals? Can we help deliver access to our outlying communities through the use of a Ronald McDonald Care Mobile that delivers healthcare across Northwest Ohio and Southeastern Michigan?

The answer is YES! Access to Healthcare has continued to evolve since 1974 and 1982. We have been responding to this over time, but this time the needs are significantly different. We are up to the challenge. We look forward to serving our community in bigger and better ways as we sustain our program expansion far into the future. Our mission: RMHC of Northwest Ohio is committed to enriching the lives of children by providing comfort, care and support to families from Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan and beyond, has never been more relevant than it is today. As we evolve to meet the needs of families even better, we are grateful for your continued support for children and their families.