A Home Away From Home: Ronald McDonald House Expands to Better Serve Families in Need

One house in Syracuse has reached new heights to help families in need. The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central New York (RMHC of CNY) announced the completion of its $1.1 million expansion of the CNY Ronald McDonald House and marked the official opening of its fourth floor at a ceremony on Thursday. The expansion project involved the renovation of more than 9,000 square feet of previously unfinished space on the fourth floor of the house to add six new family suites.

New Suites Offer Comfort and Support for Families

With the completion of the expansion, RMHC of CNY is better equipped to meet the growing needs of guest families and accommodate large and multigenerational guest families. These new suites offer a range of features designed to enhance comfort and support for families staying at the house.

Family-Centered Design

The new family suites are designed with families in mind, featuring a living area, one or two bedrooms, and a kitchenette. This allows families to relax, rejuvenate and have space to live as a family, creating a home away from home setting. “The most magical thing that happens here is the families are together. And when a family is together, the journey is different. There is healing as a family,” said Executive Director Beth Trunfio. “The design was very thoughtful so that we could design suites that were family-centered, that had a living area, one and two bedrooms, and a kitchenette. So that they could relax, rejuvenate and really have space to live as a family and really a home away from home setting.”

Accommodating Special Needs

The new suites also provide a private living space for families with children who are immunocompromised. This ensures that these families have a safe and comfortable environment during their stay. The suites also give working parents and family members a designated space to work remotely, allowing them to maintain a sense of normalcy during a difficult time.

Meeting Growing Demand

The expansion of the Ronald McDonald House is a testament to the growing need for its services. Last year, 43% of guest families that stayed at the facility came from Northern New York. The house has been serving families since it opened 42 years ago, moving to its current location in 2012. The initial design of the house included plans for a fourth floor, which is now a reality thanks to the generosity of the community.

A Collaboration for Comfort

Construction on the project began last fall and was managed by Zausmer-Frisch, Scruton & Aggarwal, the same firm that designed and built the CNY Ronald McDonald House in 2011-2012. This collaboration ensured that the new suites seamlessly integrate with the existing structure, maintaining the house’s welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.

A Global Network of Support

The Ronald McDonald House program is a global network of support for families with children receiving medical treatment. There are nearly 400 Ronald McDonald House programs in the U.S. It is a worldwide charity with over 260 chapters in more than 60 countries. The CNY Ronald McDonald House provides a vital service to the local community, offering a place for families to stay free of charge while their children receive care at Syracuse-area hospitals and clinics. The house provides comfortable rooms, home-cooked meals, and a supportive environment for families during a challenging time.

A Beacon of Hope

The expansion of the Ronald McDonald House is a significant achievement for RMHC of CNY, allowing it to continue providing critical support to families in need. The new suites represent a commitment to meeting the growing needs of families and ensuring that they have a place to call home during a time of medical crisis. The Ronald McDonald House stands as a beacon of hope for families facing challenging medical journeys, offering a haven of comfort, caring, and love.