Cleveland Ronald McDonald House — Local services in Cleveland

This place is truly a blessing. It provides housing and free meals for families visiting from out of town with children that have appointments or hospital stays at the Cleveland Clinic, Rainbow Babies and Children and Metro. The rooms are like nice hotel rooms and are equipped with bath towels, hand towels and wash cloths, 4 of each and shower mat. Rooms also have a dresser, table with two chairs, laundry basket and hangers for your convenience. Most rooms have 2 full size beds and others are 1 bed and a pull out couch. There is also a TV and a small fridge that is meant for medicines, canned or bottled drinks but NO FOOD. No food is allowed in room. You can keep your food in the family refrigerator in the kitchen.

Different groups and organizations come and prepare meals, usually buffet style, for lunch and dinner. Breakfast and brunch are sometimes provided on the weekends. There is always something to eat or munch on like fruit and pastries. Cereal and breads are always available and leftovers in the community fridge in case you missed lunch or dinner. There are two huge kitchens that families can use to prepare their own meals. There is a food pantry that the staff ask you to visit BEFORE going out shopping and spending your money. There's a computer room that has 5 computers and printer. In this room is also a collection of DVDs that families can use. In the adjoining room is a big screen TV and video games. In the sun room, families can relax on newly purchased furniture and watch TV or play foosball or ride a pony. There are 6 washers and 6 dryers that families can use free of charge, and pre-measured laundry detergent, bleach and dryer sheets.

On the 2nd floor is a small library with a couch for lounging. There are individuals and groups that volunteer for arts and crafts, and music and even small plays. There are several therapy dogs that stop by for the children and people who bring in items like homemade blankets and gift bags. Sometimes, donated tickets for sporting events, the circus and other special events are given out first come, first served. But there are always free passes to the museums, zoo and aquarium. The Cleveland Clinic shuttle make frequent rounds to and from the RMH. The University Hospitals also provides a shuttle. Also, when you give prior notice that you may need a ride to the grocery store, pharmacy, etc., the volunteer coordinator Jennifer will have one of the volunteers give you a ride, sometimes in their own personal vehicles or in the car that was donated to the RMH.

In order to stay at the RMH, you must give a 7 day notice for the day of your arrival. You and all persons 18 yrs and older must give them information so they can do a background check. If approved and if there is a room available on your day of arrival, you will receive a phone call the day before, after 3 pm. Upon your arrival, the managers will let you know that it costs about $80 a night for them to run the rooms, but they ask for at least $20. If you can't afford to give anything, that's ok, too. They understand that everyone can't afford it and they don't want you to have the extra stress upon you. This is where donations that random people give come into play. Those donations allow you to stay for free and if, in the future, you are able to give/donate some money, you can send it back to the RMH in an envelope they provide for you. Like I said "BLESSING".

There are families from all over the world, all housed under one roof and each with their own story. A lot of people connect and new friendships are formed. And thanks to the RMH, there are less worries for us while we focus on our...

What a blessing to find such accommodations. I enrolled my son into a summer treatment plan sponsored by the Cleveland Clinic. I found a local hotel and knew that my costs would be doubled from the program because of housing, but since the program is nearly 2 months and we were traveling from out of the area, we had no choice.

One of the mothers at the STP told me about the Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland and immediately, I applied. They do a background check for obvious reasons. I got accepted within a couple of hours and i moved out of the hotel right away.

This place is fantastic. Not only is it affordable, but they have a community of wonderful volunteers and guests. They offer several meals a day and have a community fridge. They have laundry facilities and even offer detergent. They have a shuttle to many of the surrounding hospitals and are walking distance to most of them as well. The rooms are wonderful - 2 full beds and a private bathroom.

I feel so blessed to be here. Thanks...

We are one week into a three week rehabilitation program for my daughter at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital. The Ronald McDonald House has been WONDERFUL! The staff and volunteers are friendly, the building and grounds are kept meticulously clean and welcoming. Most evenings there is dinner provided by a local organization, and often other meals are provided. Guests have access to two full kitchens, a large laundry room that is centrally located in the building, and multiple outside patios, walking paths and a play area for younger kids. My daughter has immensely enjoyed the outdoor spaces, landscape, garden and of course the birds and bunnies who live here. :) Parking is secure with keycard access to open the gate. We have seen therapy dogs and rabbits and there have been other activities for children. I can't express enough how much of a blessing the Ronald McDonald house has been for our peace of mind. Financially, stay in here has allowed us to make this...