The Ronald McDonald House located near Advocate Hope Children's Hospital provides a caring, homelike atmosphere for parents and siblings undergoing treatment at the hospital.
The home is designed with "a house in the woods" theme, with ample community rooms where families can seek support from others undergoing similar experiences.
Included are 16 bedrooms with private baths, and four extended-stay suites; most bedrooms can accommodate three to four people. There is a handicapped-accessible "tree house," game room and playroom, a large kitchen, laundry facility, library, outdoor patios and Internet access.
The house is open to families with pediatric patients at Hope or other surrounding hospitals. Families must live farther than 10 miles away, and referrals from social workers are required.
Families are asked to pitch in to keep their rooms and house tidy and to wash their own towels.
Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. A suggested donation of $10 per night is suggested, but no one is turned away for inability to pay.
The home is operated by Ronald McDonald Children's Charities, which strives to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children.
