The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia in 1974. Since then, more than 200 Houses have been licensed around the world, all with a common mission of providing a "home away from home" for the families of children needing care.

The Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan (RMHWM) opened on March 23, 1990. The 19,000 square foot facility was designed specifically for use as a Ronald House. Located on five park-like acres, the House has seventeen bedrooms with private baths; two are isolation equipped and one is handicap accessible. Common rooms include a large family-style kitchen with four complete cooking areas, a dining room, great room with fireplace, sunroom overlooking backyard playground area and walking path, a toddler playroom, recreation room, and a quiet room when privacy and tranquility are needed.

The RMHWM registers over 600 families each year, many coming in and out over an extended period of time. While guests arrive from counties throughout Michigan, other states, and even foreign countries, the majority are from west Michigan.

Referrals are welcomed from all hospitals and treatment programs in Grand Rapids, as well as outpatient services. DeVos Children's Hospital refers parents with premature babies in the neo-natal unit, children suffering from some type of cancer, children being admitted for surgeries, mothers who are considered high risk pregnancies, and families whose children are being treated in the burn center. Mary Free Bed refers parents whose children are being treated for head injuries. Other facilites who refer guests include Conductive Learning Center, Pine Rest, Forest View, St. Mary's and Grand Valley.

Amenities of the House include:

• free shuttle to and from medical facilities
• free long distance phone cards
• laundry facilities with free detergents
• pagers, videos, books and a variety of baby care equipment available for check out on a day-to-day basis
• Meals are often prepared by groups or businesses on a monthly basis and our pantry is stocked with donated food and is free to our guests. A library provides books on various medical conditions, as well as fiction and inspirational topics.

Each guest room has a private phone line and voicemail. The fee for each room is from $10.00-20.00 per night. If families cannot afford to pay, no fee is charged. Third party billing is available.

Services are provided 7 days a week, 24 hours each day. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

The RMHWM is totally self-sufficient. Our annual operating budget is over $400,000. Funding for the RMHWM comes primarily from 2 major fund raisers, our annual drive (Share-a-Night), general and memorial donations. While McDonald Corporation and RMHC are helpful in many ways, they do not provide operational funding.

Mission

“To provide a community supported facility and complimentary services, whose dedicated staff and volunteers are committed to providing a safe, clean and caring Home Away >From Home for the families of pediatric patients.”

Values

Because the Ronald McDonald House of West Michigan is “the house that love built,” we believe that

• All families should experience an environment of compassion and caring.
• All families should have a sense of unconditional acceptance.
• All families have the right to a safe, secure, and comfortable home environment.
• All persons working for or with the RMH should be dedicated to its mission.
• Both the services and the financial responsibilities of the RMH should be managed with integrity and resourcefulness.

Vision

The Ronald McDonald House of West Michigan will provide a Home Away From Home, where the ever-changing needs of children and families receiving pediatric services will be met with people and programs of compassion, commitment and integrity.