Family Services
What are FSS Welcome Meetings?
When a family stays at the Ronald McDonald House, they become part of a larger community. Welcome Meetings are scheduled for FSS members to meet with each family and welcome them into the House. At check in, each family is assigned an FSS specialist, who will be the family’s host during their stay. The Welcome Meeting allows for FSS to connect with each family, to hear and learn how we can make a family’s stay more meaningful and comfortable. We know that it is difficult enough to be away from home, possibly away from other children and family, all while having a child receiving treatment. Some families share their worries and concerns about sharing a communal living space, being away from home, and anything else that might be on their mind. Families can ask questions they may have regarding programs and amenities available.
FSS wants families to know that we are here to support each individual in the family. We hope that you use this space as yours and allow us to support you in whichever way you might need.
Fun Clubs
Therapeutic Recreation
Fun Clubs are therapeutic, creative and engaging activities offered to children, families and parents. The purposes of Fun Clubs include though are not limited to the following: bringing a sense of community and normalcy to the families, teaching creative and helpful activities to the families, providing an opportunity to share and interact with other family members and most of all to have a fun, relaxed time. They are offered throughout the day and evenings. Some examples include: Parent Trivia Night, Children’s Bedtime Stories, Origami Making and Care Wheel. Please check out our Fun Club Activities on our calendar and join us!
Fun Clubs
Therapeutic Recreation
Fun Clubs are therapeutic, creative and engaging activities offered to children, families and parents. The purposes of Fun Clubs include though are not limited to the following: bringing a sense of community and normalcy to the families, teaching creative and helpful activities to the families, providing an opportunity to share and interact with other family members and most of all to have a fun, relaxed time. They are offered throughout the day and evenings. Some examples include: Parent Trivia Night, Children’s Bedtime Stories, Origami Making and Care Wheel. Please check out our Fun Club Activities on our calendar and join us!
Support Groups
What are FSS support groups?
This is when Ronald McDonald House family members get together to talk about similar experiences that they are going through or have gone through. These common experiences might be around parenting issues, taking care of a newborn, supporting your child while at the hospital, worried about going home, feelings of loss and grief, relationship issues or maybe dealing with finances. FSS facilitates support groups at the House and online.
There are many benefits to participating in support groups. Many family members say that as a result of participating in groups, they feel less isolated, they are able to talk openly and honestly about their life, some say they have gained a sense of empowerment or hope. Others walk away with new coping skills or new information.
So please try out our support groups. They are all different. It is okay to join and simply just listen. In time, I bet you will probably feel more like contributing to the conversation.
We would be honored to have you join our support groups. We hope you join.
Educational Workshops
Addressing Needs
Workshops are psycho-educational groups offered to families who are residing at RMH or have stayed at RMH in the past. These workshops are designed and led by FSS.
Topics of workshops include: tolerating the anxiety of having a sick child, helping siblings deal with family changes, maintaining a relationship with partner during this difficult time, handling significant relationships back home, and handling finances.
Educational Workshops
Addressing Needs
Workshops are psycho-educational groups offered to families who are residing at RMH or have stayed at RMH in the past. These workshops are designed and led by FSS.
Topics of workshops include: tolerating the anxiety of having a sick child, helping siblings deal with family changes, maintaining a relationship with partner during this difficult time, handling significant relationships back home, and handling finances.
All House Events and Celebrations
Making Families Smiles
One of our big goals at FSS is emphasizing community fun and shared experience. We are committed to still bringing you some of the fun and memories you might have left behind at home. We work as a team with RMH to highlight and celebrate national and cultural holidays and community traditions. Whenever we can, through Fun Clubs or family socials, we celebrate events such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Black History Month, and Easter to name just a few. We also host parties for commonly celebrated events such as the Oscars and the Superbowl.
Our most popular annual traditions are our Halloween party, Holiday party, and Summer Carnival. We always hear from families how much they love all these events. In fact, they are so much fun that our alumni families often return to attend as well. Look through the website for videos and photos showing you all the fun.
Calendar of Events
Please Log In to see the schedule of fun clubs, support groups, educational workshops and exciting all House events.
