Home-Away-From-Home

The Ronald McDonald House of Metro St. Louis is a “home-away-from-home” for families of seriously ill children who have traveled to St. Louis for medical treatment at:

• St. Louis Children’s Hospital
• Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
• Shriners Hospital
• Barnes Jewish Hospital
• St. John’s Mercy Medical Center
• St. Louis University Hospital
• St. Mary’s Hospital

The House is set up as a community living arrangement, where families can sleep, eat, take a shower, do their laundry, watch TV and most importantly, spend time with other families in similar situations.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who is eligible to stay at the Ronald McDonald House?

• Patient receiving treatment must be 18 years or younger.
• Patient’s home residence must be a minimum of 50 miles from St. Louis.
• Patient’s family must have a permanent home residence.

How much does it cost to stay at the RMH?

The fee is only $5 per night.

How do I get a referral for a room at the RMH?

The RMH only accepts referrals from the social services department at the hospital where the patient is being treated. It is the responsibility of the social worker to pre-screen the family to ensure that they meet RMH requirements. If the family is eligible to stay at the RMH, the social worker will then make a referral request.

How do I get in contact with a social worker?

The patient’s nurse or physician should be able to direct you to social services, or you can go to the hospital information desk.

Does a referral guarantee a room at the RMH?

A referral does not guarantee that a room will become available. A referral simply places the family on the waiting list.

How do I know when a room becomes available?

If or when a room becomes available, the RMH will contact the social worker. The social worker will then contact the family and give further instructions about checking into the RMH.

What services does the RMH provide?

• Bedrooms: Each family has a private bedroom.
• Bathrooms: The West Pine facility has community bathrooms and the Park Ave. facility has private baths.
• Kitchen Facilities: These are available for families to store food and prepare meals. Thanks to volunteers from the St. Louis community, dinners are usually provided each night, including breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
• Laundry Facilities: These are available for families to do their laundry at no charge.
• TV Rooms & Playrooms: There are several community TV rooms and playrooms for families and children to use.
• Transportation: Limited transportation is available to and from the hospital and/or grocery store for families that do not have their own transportation.