When a child faces an illness and must receive specialized medical care away from home, the family's concern goes far beyond the diagnosis.
Finding a place to stay, getting food, or simply resting can become an additional challenge.
To alleviate this burden, there is Ronald McDonald House, a non-profit organization that provides free accommodation and comprehensive support to families whose children receive treatment away from their place of residence.
This support can be provided for the duration of the medical treatment of childrenfrom weeks to even months.
Four locations in North Carolina
In North Carolina there are four Ronald McDonald House locations: Charlotte, Greenville, Triangle (Raleigh-Chapel Hill) and Piedemonte Triada, located in Winston-Salem.
They are all part of a network of nearly 400 homes around the world that share the same purpose: to keep families together during their children's medical care process.
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Piedmont Triad Headquarters
Enlace Latino NC He spoke with Caleb Gossett, volunteer services manager at Ronald McDonald House Piedmont Triad (RMHPT) in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, who detailed the services he offers to families of children undergoing treatment at local hospitals.
Who can stay?
Families can access the services when their minor son or daughter (up to 18 years old and, in some cases, up to 21 years old) needs to receive medical treatment in a hospital or a specialized center and lives outside the county where medical care is provided.
The admission process begins with a referral issued by a member of the medical team, whether it be a doctor, a nurse, or a social worker.
“All we need is a referral from the medical team and to run a background check on the adults who will be staying here. It’s a safety measure because many families stay here at the same time,” Gossett explained.
Once the application is approved, the family can remain in the house for as long as the child needs treatment.
“There is no time limit. We have had families who stay with us for almost a year. As long as the child continues to receive treatment, the family can stay,” he says.
Guests can be only the mother, the father, both parents, siblings, and even other relatives, depending on the needs of each case.
Much more than a place to sleep
The Piedmont Triad headquarters consists of four connected buildings housing 36 private en-suite rooms, as well as common areas designed to offer tranquility in the midst of a difficult situation.
“Our goal is to offer a home away from home,” says Gossett. “We want to take some of the minor stresses off their shoulders so they can focus on what’s really important: taking care of their children,” she added.
Families receive breakfast and dinner every day. Meals are prepared by volunteers, churches, businesses, local restaurants, or the organization's own staff. Families also have access to the kitchen.
There are also rest areas, a children's playroom, gardens, and recreational spaces.
And it has a 24-hour laundry service, which includes cleaning products, hygiene items and other supplies that many families cannot get their hands on when they have to leave for an emergency at a hospital.
Gosset said that every week they also organize activities such as bingo nights, visits from therapy dogs and special celebrations during holidays, with the aim of providing moments of joy and allowing families to share experiences with other people going through similar situations.
According to Gossett, the house currently serves about 26 families simultaneously.
Support within hospitals
In addition to the lodging house, Ronald McDonald House operates “Family Rooms” in pediatric hospitals, spaces where parents and relatives can rest.
In Piedmont Triad they operate in:
- Brenner Children's Hospital
- Novant Health
- Cone Health, in Greensboro
“It’s a quiet place where they can rest, have coffee, eat a snack, or simply get away from the hospital environment for a while,” the official said.
Close support for Latinos
Gossett, who speaks Spanish, said that one of the aspects Ronald McDonald House Piedmont Triad seeks to strengthen is its outreach to the Latino community, since families often face communication barriers even when they have interpreters at the hospital.
“We want to make sure they understand everything that’s happening with their child’s treatment and that they receive the resources they need. Sometimes, here, in a calmer environment, we can talk calmly and help them resolve any doubts,” she commented.
Another aspect that Gossett mentioned is that the organization is not yet very well known in the Latino community.
“We want families to know that this resource exists and that they can come to us without fear,” she noted.
The “hospital carts”
Another program offered by the organization is “Hospitality Carts,” which are mobile carts that travel around hospitals and clinics, bringing coffee, snacks, toys, coloring books, teddy bears, and personal hygiene items directly to families.
These services are also available at some medical centers that serve a large Latino population, such as Downtown Health Plaza, Eastown Pediatrics, and Westgate Pediatrics in Winston-Salem.
Everything is free
One of the most outstanding aspects of Ronald McDonald House is that none of its services have any cost for families.
“We don’t charge for lodging. If a family wants to make a donation, we suggest $10 per day, but most can’t, and that’s okay. We exist precisely to support them,” Gossett said.
The organization sustains its operations thanks to individual donations and companies like McDonald's, the fast food restaurants.
“McDonald’s has been one of our main allies from the beginning and contributes about 20% of our expenses, in addition to supporting fundraising campaigns, but we are an independent non-profit organization,” he explained.
A message for Latino families
Gossett extended an invitation to the immigrant families that they may face a medical emergency involving their children at some point.
“We want to take care of families so they can take care of their children. This is a place they can come to without fear. If they need to travel for medical treatment, we want them to know they are not alone,” she said.
Furthermore, remember that support is not limited to North Carolina. Ronald McDonald House has locations in numerous states across the United States and in other countries, so families are advised to always check with their medical team to see if there is a house near the hospital where they will receive care.
“It is very important that people know about this resource, because it can make a huge difference in one of the most difficult moments of their lives,” she concluded.
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Information about the Ronald McDonald House in the Triad
Place The house is located at 419 S. Hawthorne Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
Phones: Office: 336-970-5651
Caleb Gossett: Cell phone: 615-987-3318 (speaks Spanish).
Email: calebg@rmhcpt.org
Website: www.RMHCPT.org
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