2008 Year of Hope - Toronto's Ronald McDonald House

Toronto's Ronald McDonald House is a 'home away from home' for out-of-town families whose children are receiving treatment for serious illness at Toronto hospitals (generally the Hospital for Sick Children, but others as well). Our goal is to provide an atmosphere for families and their children where the familiar routines of home life can continue as much as possible.

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2008 Year of Hope Program

Families who travel to Toronto seeking specialized medical care for their seriously ill children arrive on our doorstep, overwhelmed and frightened. They have left behind their home, families and friends. At Toronto’s Ronald McDonald House they are welcomed into a safe and caring home where they are understood and supported through their long days at the hospital and the anxiety of waiting—of not knowing …

Because the needs of the families and children staying at the House go far beyond needing an affordable place to stay, we offer a wide variety of programs and services to help put some joy and normalcy back into life - giving each child and family something to look forward to every day.

You can help … Our Year of Hope Program invites you to partner with us and make a difference by supporting the programs and services that support our families and children during the most stressful time in their lives.

Program Highlights supported by the Year of Hope include:

1. TRMH School Fully accredited by the Ontario Ministry of Education, our school allows children to be “just like other children” and provides a focus outside of their medical treatments at the hospital. Available for both seriously ill children and their siblings.

2. Play Program – Gives all children staying at the House a chance to simply be children. Through positive recreation, they draw, paint, do arts and crafts and play.

3. Child Life Program - Helps children understand and cope with their health care experience by creating activities to normalize the environment, helping children to understand procedures and treatments, offering support and coping skills to siblings and families utilizing therapeutic play to reduce stress and aid in emotional expression.

4. Expressive Arts Program– Children undergoing significant changes in their lives due to illness, either their own or that of a sibling, often experience emotions that exceed their ability to verbalize, and understand. The Expressive Arts Program creates a means for children to express emotions through creative output.

“This has been a trying time … without an organization such as Toronto’s Ronald McDonald House we would have found this time more unbearable and no words can express the appreciation we have for those who provide for this home away from home.”
Steven, TRMH Parent

Thank you to our
2008 Year of Hope Partners

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Please join us as we continue to provide Hope to families with seriously ill children. To partner with us in our Year of Hope Program, please contact Judy MacGowan, CFRE, Director of Business Development at (416) 977-1346 or jmacgowan@rmhtoronto.org.