Taking care of an ill or injured child receiving medical treatment can create a lot of worry and fear. Whatever the reason is that brought you to our doorstep – we know it’s a challenging time for you and your family.
Taking care of an ill or injured child receiving medical treatment can create a lot of worry and fear. Whatever the reason is that brought you to our doorstep – we know it’s a challenging time for you and your family.
During your stay, we want our home to feel as much like your home as possible, but with the added benefit of a community – made up of staff, volunteers and other families and children going through a similar time.
So, as you walk the halls, pace the floors and come and go – take comfort in knowing the coffee is fresh, the home-cooked meals and cookies are made especially for you and there is always someone close by ready to hear about your day.
While staying at Ronald McDonald House. We truly hope you feel comfortable, safe and supported.
A. Family members whose child/patient is receiving healthcare (regardless of medical condition) at the children’s hospital or another medical facility in the St. John’s area.
B. The child/family must live at least 80 kilometres away from Ronald McDonald House.
C. All individuals staying at Ronald McDonald House must be actively involved in the child’s hospital routine unless they are other children in the family.
Families are added to the waitlist on the date they require a room. We are happy to accept post‑dated referrals and applications; however, referrals are received daily, and availability can change quickly.
When prioritizing families, we consider several factors, including inpatient or outpatient care needs and clinic visits. Our goal is always to support families facing the greatest medical demands.
The priority list may change daily as new families are referred to Ronald McDonald House. Regrettably, demand can become very high, and we often operate with a waitlist. A room is never guaranteed upon submission of a referral.
If you are requesting accommodations, a medical referral must be completed.
Are you considering staying at Ronald McDonald House Newfoundland and Labrador? Are you referring a family? Here are some things to consider:
For your first time stay we do require a referral completed by a medical professional or social worker involved in your child’s care. Once the referral is received a Family Services Team member will call you to confirm the details and place your request on our waitlist.
Unfortunately, we are unable to confirm rooms in advance. A Family Services team member at Ronald McDonald House will contact you via telephone within 24 hours prior to the first night needed advising if a room is available. There is a chance that a room will not be available for you on the nights requested, therefore we highly recommended that you also arrange alternate accommodations.
Please note Families are not assessed based on their financial need. Rather, they are assessed based on the medical condition of the child, room availability and the distance of their home from the hospital.
Online Medical Referral First Time Stay (EN/FR): Only to be completed by a medical professional
For non urgent requests, please allow 24 hours for confirmation.
To obtain a paper copy of the referral form, or to submit a completed copy please contact Jennifer Fleming, Director of Family & Volunteer Services:
Any questions – please call toll-free 1-855-955-HOME (4663)
Request a Room Online (EN/FR): To be completed by families who have stayed within the last 12 months for follow up appointments.
The check-in hours are normally between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Exceptional circumstances can be discussed with the Director of Family and Volunteer Services to see if alternate arrangements can be made. The check-in process for first time families takes about forty minutes. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a Family Services Staff member who will welcome you, review our communal living Standards and Expectation, introduce you to our programs and services and provide you with a full tour of our House.
Check-out time is 10:00 a.m. We will store your belongings until you are ready to depart. In order to serve as many families as possible, it is important to know the number of rooms that will be available so guests are asked to tell staff when they will be leaving as soon as they know.
Ronald McDonald House is located at 150 Clinch Crescent which is only a five-minute walk to the Janeway Children’s Hospital. This level of convenience enables families to spend more time together while their child heals.
We understand that visits from family and friends are important to our guests at Ronald McDonald House. To ensure the comfort, safety, and privacy of all families staying at the House, we kindly ask that the following visitation guidelines be observed:
Please limit the number of visitors at any one time.
Visiting hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All visitors must sign in at reception and confirm they are free of illness and have not recently been exposed to any infectious diseases.
Visitors must be accompanied by a registered guest at all times
To respect the privacy of all families, visitors are asked not to tour the House or enter guest bedrooms.
Each Family will have access to one parking spot while staying at Ronald McDonald House, free of charge.
Our goal is to create a warm, safe, and respectful space where families, volunteers and staff feel supported and comfortable. With everyone doing their part, Ronald McDonald House will remain a safe and comfortable place for families whose child is receiving medical care. It is recognized however that Ronald McDonald House may not meet the needs and expectations of every family.
While each Ronald McDonald House shares a common mission of providing essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families and promote healing when children need health care, each house is independently operated by a charitable organization. While Ronald McDonald House receives financial and in-kind support from its founding and forever corporate partner McDonald’s, it is ultimately a community house. Ronald McDonald House Newfoundland and Labrador relies entirely on the support from individual donors, businesses, foundations and annual fundraising activities to ensure that its programs and services are offered to families each year.
Your donation will enable Ronald McDonald House to provide a caring and supportive environment for families who have a sick or injured child. Whether they have a newborn in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a child in need of surgery, an injured teenager receiving pediatric care, or a child undergoing cancer treatment, Ronald McDonald House is there for them. We suggest a contribution of $15 per family per night, though no family is ever turned away due to inability to pay. The actual cost to host a family is approximately $289 per night.
