The Ronald McDonald House of Winston-Salem provides a "home away from home" for families of children who are receiving medical care in our community's hospitals. The House and Family Room programs offer physical comforts, emotional support, education, and referral services designed to promote the well-being of the whole family.

As one of four Ronald McDonald Houses in North Carolina and one of more than 288 worldwide, we are happy to open our doors to families of pediatric patients and invite them to stay with us. Our House offers 17 bedrooms for families, two living rooms, two playrooms, a playground and a kitchen with home cooked meals almost every day.

26 Years and Growing...

Since opening in 1984, the Ronald McDonald House has been serving families to our capacity for each of our 26 years. Right now that capacity figure is almost 700 familes, and we still have to turn away about half that number of families due to space limitations. We are proudly tacking that situation by doubling the size of the Ronald McDonald House! Our expansion will be completed by September 2010 and we will then have 35 bedrooms and 31,000 sq. ft.!

RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOMS

Our first Ronald McDonald House Family Room opened in 2002 in Brenner Children's Hospital at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Designed to be an adult respite room, the Family Room offers a "home-like" setting within the walls of the hospital. Comfortable seating areas, a kitchen stocked with donated foods, and computers with Internet access are among the amenities provided in the Family Room.

Our second Ronald McDonald House Family Room opened in 2008 in the Sara Lee Center for Women's Health at Forsyth Medical Center. It offers the amenities found at our Family Room at Brenner plus laundry and shower facilities. A playroom for siblings of patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is also be a part of the Forsyth Family Room.

FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM

Our Family Support Program provides support, education, referral, and follow-up services to our long-term guests. The program assists families as they adjust to their children's illnesses by offering services designed to facilitate improved communication, advocacy, and stress reduction. Support services are offered by the Family Support Program Coordinator and specially trained volunteers. Support services include daily visits with families at the hospital as well as complimentary recreational and educational programming at the House (i.e. Bingo, chair massage, Therapy Dog visits, arts and crafts, and cosmetology sessions). We also offer gifts and activities for siblings and educational resources for all family members, including a Family Resource Library, computer with high speed Internet access, and parent discussion groups.