Rmhc Of Western New York Inc

PROVIDE PROGRAMS THAT STRENGTHEN FAMILIES DURING THEIR MOST DIFFICULT OR CHALLENGING TIMES.

RMHC OF WESTERN NEW YORK, INC. OWNS AND OPERATES THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF BUFFALO. THE 14-BEDROOM FACILITY, WHICH OPENED ITS DOORS IN 1983, PROVIDES AFFORDABLE LODGING TO FAMILIES OF SERIOUSLY ILL OR INJURED CHILDREN WHO MUST LEAVE THEIR OWN COMMUNITY TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE FOR THEIR CHILD. THE HOUSE SERVES CHILDREN RECEIVING TREATMENT AT JOHN R. OISHEI CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF BUFFALO, ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE, AND ALL AREA MEDICAL FACILITIES. IN 2017, SUITE RENOVATIONS COMMENCED AT THE HOUSE, ALLOWING THEM TO ACCOMMODATE FAMILIES WHO REQUIRE A PRIVATE BATHROOM AND ADDITIONAL LIVING SPACE FOR AN EXTENDED STAY. FAMILIES OF SERIOUSLY ILL OR INJURED CHILDREN AGE 21 AND UNDER ARE ELIGIBLE TO STAY AT THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF BUFFALO. THEY MUST BE REFERRED BY A PHYSICIAN AND BE UNDERGOING INPATIENT OR OUTPATIENT CARE AT A MEDICAL FACILITY. TO SUPPORT ONGOING OPERATIONS, WE ENCOURAGE, BUT DO NOT REQUIRE, GUESTS TO MAKE A DONATION OF $15 PER NIGHT, OR WHATEVER THEY ARE ABLE, IN ORDER TO CONTINUE OPERATIONS FOR FUTURE GUESTS. HOWEVER, NO FAMILY IS EVER TURNED AWAY DUE TO THE INABILITY TO CONTRIBUTE.FUNDS ARE SOLICITED THROUGH THE NEWSLETTER PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED THREE TIMES A YEAR, TWO DIRECT MAIL SOLICITATIONS AND FUNDRAISING. NON-CASH DONATIONS OF GOODS AND IN-KIND SERVICES TOTALING $55,116 WERE RECEIVED IN 2021. MOST SIGNIFICANT NON-CASH DONATIONS AND IN-KIND SERVICES ARE FOR FOOD, HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.IN A NORMAL YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 45 WEEKLY VOLUNTEERS HELP TO SUPPORT THE STAFF AND FAMILIES OF THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE BY PROVIDING LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING FOR THE 14,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY, OFFICE ASSISTANCE, MEAL PREPARATION, AND LANDSCAPING. VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE APPROXIMATELY 12,200 HOURS EACH YEAR, WHICH REDUCES THE NEED TO HIRE ADDITIONAL STAFF TO PROVIDE THESE NECESSARY SERVICES. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PANDEMIC HAS GREATLY REDUCED VOLUNTEERS FROM HELPING AT THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE. THE 22-MEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETS REGULARLY AND PROVIDE LEADERSHIP THROUGH THEIR SERVICE ON VARIOUS STANDING COMMITTEES.IN NOVEMBER 2017, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES PARTNERED WITH THE NEW JOHN R. OISHEI CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND OPENED A RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES. THE FAMILY ROOM IS SPONSORED BY RMHC OF WESTERN NEW YORK, INC. AND EXPANDS REACH IN WESTERN NEW YORK.