- What is the Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco Mission?
The Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco provides a safe haven, a home-away-from-home, for critically ill children and their families.
- What are the House’s major programs?
The Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco operates two major programs, the Family Lodging program and the Child’s Bedside Program. The Family Lodging Program accommodates families in our House located at 1640 Scott Street. The Family Lodging program has accommodated 3,500 families for 60,000 nights since the House’s inception. The Child’s Bedside Program caters to families sleeping and “camping-out” at their child’s beside in order to stay close to their child. Volunteers visit eleven departments at UCSF Children’s Hospital and offer a listening ear and an open heart. Volunteers also provide refreshments and supplies for families and children in the hospital. The Child’s Bedside Program has served approximately 2,000 families in 2008 alone.
- Who does the Ronald McDonald House serve?
We serve the entire family, recognizing how vital the family is to a child’s healing process. Our aim is to keep the family rested, healthy, strong and pulling together at the most challenging time in their lives.
Come to the House and you’ll see young patients staying with their parents as they are monitored following a transplant, cardiac surgery or other procedure. You will see brothers and sisters of hospitalized infants making new friends in our much beloved playroom. A grandparent or other caring relative staying with a parent while the other parent works in order to keep their job then visits each weekend.
Join our volunteers as they visit families room-to-room with our Child’s Bedside program— in-hospital at UCSF. With this program you will experience a dad holding his infant daughter in his arm in intensive care grinning as Ronald McDonald House volunteers brings him a drink of cold water – he does not want to leave his daughter’s side.
In the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, parents come out of their child’s room to join other parents and the Ronald McDonald House volunteers for a ten minute coffee and tea break. Many parents meet in the unit for the first time on these breaks, where conversation about any subject, big or small, mostly small, is enjoyed. Then parents scrub up and return to their child’s side.
- Will the House be expanding its facilities?
By 2014, UCSF Children’s Hospital, which treats the young patients in 93 percent of the families we serve, will construct its new Children’s Hospital in Mission Bay. UCSF Children’s Hospital has invited our House to develop an in-hospital Ronald McDonald House at their new facility at Mission Bay.
- How can I donate?
The Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco welcomes your contribution to our programs. There are many Ways to Give. We encourage you to donate your time, financial support and in-kind service to our House. The House also welcomes all those interested in supporting the House to stop by and visit.
- How can I volunteer?
The Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco welcomes all those interested in volunteering to visit our Volunteer section of our website and fill out a volunteer form.
- How much of the House’s funding comes from McDonald’s?
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bay Area, the charitable arm of our local McDonald’s stores and the store’s owner/operators, generously supports the Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco by providing approximately 15% of our funding. We rely on a supportive community to contribute the remaining 85%.
By design, the communities the House serves provide the bulk of the funding. The establishment of a Ronald McDonald House requires a rigorous review process to prove the need for the House and the commitment of the community to provide the major funding toward its construction and ongoing operations. McDonald’s does not want the Houses to be dependent on the company’s finances or charitable arm for their fiscal health. Ronald McDonald House Charities sets the tone and donates the seed money for Ronald McDonald Houses, with significant funding coming from the local communities.
- If McDonald’s contributes 15% of the Houses funding, who donates the remaining 85%?
Our community and people who care about the families we serve. Individuals, foundations, corporations and other organizations provide 85% of the House’s funding. The House also holds two fundraisers every year, the Ronald McDonald House Golf Classic and our Gala.
- May my family or group donate toys or other in-kind items?
It may surprise you that we receive so many toys; our first wish is for other items needed by the families. This is a very difficult time in their lives, financially and emotionally. Items that may seem every-day and basic to you are a huge help to our families and the House. Please visit our Wish List for ideas.
- Does the House accept used donations?
Given that the House serves families and ill children with compromised immune systems we do not take used donations.
- My child’s school or youth group would like to do something to help the families. Do you have any ideas for them?
It is touching for families staying at the RMH to know that children and teens think of them and support the House. Please visit our Kids Help Too! section for details on the types of activities that we encourage.
- How do I qualify to stay at the House?
To qualify to stay at the Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco the patient must be: (1) 18 years or younger from the time of referral, (2) receive treatment in a San Francisco hospital, (3) live at least 50 miles from San Francisco, and (4) be referred by the Social Work Department of a San Francisco hospital.
- How can I submit a referral to stay at the House?
All families needing to stay at the Ronald McDonald House must be referred to the House by the Social Work Department from a San Francisco hospital. Please contact the Social Work Depart at the Hospital your child will be admitted to.
- How does the House prioritize their list?
Because of the large number of referrals, the Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco prioritizes based on level of care, financial need, length of stay and distance from San Francisco. For example, a family with financial need coming from a greater distance than other families on the wait list and expecting a long hospital stay will be high priority.
- Is there a wait list?
Yes, there is a wait list. Since a family’s position is constantly changing based on priorities we cannot discuss a families standing on the list. It is best if you keep in contact with your Social Worker for updates.
- How many days can I stay at the house?
There is no limit on the number of days a family can stay at the House, provided that the patient is still hospitalized and that no house rules have been broken.
- How many people can stay at the House per room?
The maximum capacity for each room is 3 adults OR 2 adults and 2 Children. A family can only be designated one room.
- Where is the Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco located?
The Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco is located at: 1640 Scott Street, San Francisco CA, 94115.
From the EAST BAY, BAY BRIDGE to the Ronald McDonald House
• Travel west on US 80 and cross the Bay Bridge ($2 toll)
• After crossing the bridge, stay to the RIGHT and continue to follow the signs for US 101 toward Golden Gate Bridge (north)
• Exit at 9th Street/Civic Center (the second exit. Go straight off the freeway to 9th Street.
• Travel on 9th Street, staying LEFT while crossing Market Street.
• Bear left onto Hayes Street
• Travel 3 blocks on Hayes Street to Franklin Street
• Turn RIGHT (north) onto Franklin Street and travel 10 blocks to Geary Street.
• Turn LEFT (west) on Geary Street and travel 9 blocks to Scott Street.
• Turn RIGHT (north) on Scott Street
• The Ronald McDonald House is located ½ block past Post Street on the right-hand side of Scott Street on 1640 Scott Street.
From the NORTH BAY, Golden Gate Bridge to the Ronald McDonald House
• Travel South on US 101 and cross the Golden Gate Bridge ($5 toll)
• Once across the bridge, stay on the LEFT and go EAST towards the Marina/Downtown exit (1.5miles)
• Bear RIGHT towards the Downtown/Lombard (Not Marina) onto Richardson Avenue, Richardson Avenue becomes Lombard Street as the road goes to the Left(east)
• Travel 1 block to Divisadero Street
• Turn RIGHT (south) on Divisadero Street and travel 15 blocks (1 mile) to Sutter Street
• Turn LEFT (east) on Sutter Street and travel 1 block to Scott Street
• Turn Right (south) on Scott Street and travel ½ block
• The Ronald McDonald House is located ½ block past Sutter Street on the left-hand side of Scott Street at 1640 Scott Street.
- What should I bring?
The Ronald McDonald House suggests that you prepare yourself with toiletries and clothes. Towels and linens are provided, and washing machines are available for your use. The communal kitchen is fully stocked with dishes, utensils, cookware and condiments. You will have modest space to store food items for your family, including refrigerator and freezer space.
- How many rooms does the House have?
The House has 10 Rooms available.
- When can I check-in to the House?
Check-in hours after you have been notified that you have a room are as follows:
Monday thru Friday: 2:00PM ― 8:00PM
Saturday: 11:00AM ― 12:00PM
Sunday: 6:00PM ― 8:00PM
Please call the House staff at 415.673.0891 with the time you plan to check in.
- Does each room have their own bathroom?
Some rooms in the House do have private bathrooms while other share between two rooms.
- What amenities does the house provide?
The Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco offers our families:
• A Grand Room
• Play room
• Communal Kitchen
• Pantry and Refrigerator Space
• Free Laundry Facilities
• Patio with BBQ
• Help Yourself Pantry
• Free Movie Rentals
• Volunteer Cooked Dinners
• Computer on every floor with Internet
• On-site Resident Manager
• Planned Activities
• Access to shuttle to and from UCSF
• Free Parking
• Complimentary passes to local points of interests/attractions
- How do I know if I have a room?
Once there is a room available a Ronald McDonald House staff member will contact the valid telephone number your Social Worker gives us. We will then inform you of your room assignment.
- When is check-out time?
Check-out time is Monday through Friday from 11AM - 12PM
- Is transportation to and from the Hospital provided?
Transportation to and from Hospitals is not provided by the House. However, there are shuttles to and from UCSF hospitals only half a block away. In addition, staff is happy to help you navigate the SF Muni system.
- Where can I park while staying at the House?
Once you check-in, staff will present you with parking coupons for a nearby parking structure. If you are not checking-in and only visiting the House then you will need to find parking on the street or a public parking structure.
