Our Mission
To keep families together and promote the health and well-being of children
Our Vision
To be an inclusive community where all children facing healthcare needs and their families benefit from our compassionate support
To keep families together and promote the health and well-being of children
To be an inclusive community where all children facing healthcare needs and their families benefit from our compassionate support
In the early 1980s, a small group of dedicated volunteers set out to build the first Ronald McDonald House® in Wisconsin because families had no place to stay while their seriously ill child was being treated at Children’s Wisconsin. The outpouring of support to build our House was remarkable. So much so that when we opened in 1984, we called it “The House that Love Built.®” Since then, our House has been keeping families together by providing more than 50,000 family stays.
These families come from all 50 states and many countries around the world whose children are receiving medical care at Children’s Wisconsin or other area hospitals. We offer a place to call home at little or no cost, so families can stay together. Many families try to contribute what they can—even if it’s the suggested $20 a night donation. In reality, our cost is just over $115 per night.
No one is ever turned away for their inability to pay.
The House is more than just a place to stay. We offer families therapeutic programming, a comprehensive meal program, comfortable community spaces and so much more. A team of over 500 volunteers and a dedicated staff are always ready to do whatever it takes to make a family’s stay a little easier. Living in a community, side by side, families form friendships and support one another through difficult times.
As Children’s Wisconsin made medical advances, so did the need for longer family stays. We expanded the House in 2003, adding our long-term wing with thirteen suite-style units. The demand for our unique services continued to grow, so we expanded in September 2014, and once again in 2023. We now offer 84 private guest rooms and common spaces for families to gather and play. Our additional kitchens easily accommodate both family needs and our Family Meal Program.
A two-level attached parking structure was added; and the State Department of Transportation worked with RMHC Eastern WI, Children’s and the city of Wauwatosa to build a pedestrian bridge that connects the Ronald McDonald House to Children’s Wisconsin, providing our families with a safe and convenient way to stay close to their children.
Over the years, we have grown as the needs of our families have changed. Each addition and renovation allows us to provide all the comforts of home for the families we serve.
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