February 13, 2012, marked a new milestone for Ronald McDonald House Toronto with the opening of the first Ronald McDonald Family Room in the GTA at the Credit Valley site of The Credit Valley Hospital (CVH) and Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga. Volunteers welcomed the first Mom to the refurbished quarters which feature a cozy lounge space, kitchenette, 4 sleeping rooms, and a bathroom with shower facilities -- all just steps from the neonatal intensive care unit at CVH.
Ronald McDonald Family Room Program
Family Room Opens!
viewFamily Room at The Credit Valley Hospital
viewThe first Ronald McDonald House Family Room in the Greater Toronto Area will open in Mississauga in early 2012 at the Credit Valley site of The Credit Valley Hospital (CVH) and Trillium Health Centre.
The Family Room at CVH is situated adjacent to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the Erin Mills Regional Women’s and Children’s Health Centre.
Ronald McDonald House Toronto will staff, furnish, operate and fund the Family Room at CVH.
Ronald McDonald Family Room Program
viewAn extension of Ronald McDonald House Toronto, the Family Room provides a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill children – within a hospital setting.
It is built on a partnership between the local hosting hospital, Ronald McDonald House Toronto and Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada.
The Family Room is a welcoming environment for families to retreat, rest and heal better together within the hospital, while being just steps away from their seriously ill child.
BENEFITS:
• A soothing place of comfort for out-of-town and local families of seriously ill children.
• A medical-free space where families can wait or stay while their child receives life-saving medical treatment in hospital.
• Allows parents to better communicate with their child’s medical team and improves adherence to complicated treatment plans.
FEATURES:
A private room with the comforts of home including:
• Kitchenette
• Lounge area with television
• Individual sleeping rooms
• Bathroom with shower facilities
LOCATIONS:
Ontario: Ronald McDonald Family Room at the Credit Valley site of The Credit Valley Hospital and Trillium Health Centre.
Family Room Volunteer
viewThe Organization
Since 1981, Ronald McDonald House Toronto (RMH Toronto) has served as a welcoming home for out-of-town families who travel to Toronto seeking medical care for their seriously ill children. The House, however, is much more than just a place for families to stay. We strive to provide a sense of normalcy for our families during a chaotic and traumatic time and provide a variety of programs and services to support the whole family. RMH Toronto is a place for families to heal better. In the fall of 2011 we opened a new House, the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world.
We are also expanding services with our Family Room Program which provides a place of respite for families within a hospital setting. The first Ronald McDonald Family Room in the GTA is operating at the Credit Valley site of Credit Valley Hospital and Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga, and there are plans to open several more in the next few years.
Job Summary
The Family Room volunteer is to provide a warm and welcoming environment for the families who use our Room and the Sleeping Rooms. This is the most important part of the Volunteer role. To make the families feel at “home”, to ensure their comfort and sense of ease under the most stressful and frightening of times. The Room is a place, a haven for families to take a break from the hospital routine. It is the role of the volunteer to ensure the smooth operation and running of the Family Room.
Hours
• One three hour shift, once a week
• Volunteers should report for their shift in a timely and reliable manner.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Willing to and has the ability to share knowledge and coach when necessary with new volunteers.
• Has a complete understanding of the expectations and the role in this unique situation as a Family Room Volunteer.
• Fully understands the information received during the training period.
• Has a complete understanding of the Family Room policies and procedures, as directed in the Family Room Manual and Volunteer Guidelines.
• Has a complete understanding of Hospital emergency procedures and fully aware of response and role in the given situation.
• Has a complete understanding of the records system as well as our eligibility criteria for families wishing to use the Family Room.
• Monitors all visitors allowing only those eligible to enter in accordance with the Polices and Procedures manual.
• Maintains and monitors the visitors’ records, taking the appropriate information from families as directed by using appropriate forms.
• Answers the phone, deals with enquiries in a professional but caring manner.
• Receives and records all supplies received in the Family Room and stores them appropriately.
• Maintains the appearance of the Room, ensuring its cleanliness and tidiness.
• Assist families when necessary or required in accordance with the training received prior to starting in the role.
• Responsible for correct open up or shut down of the Room as appropriate.
• Report any issues of safety and security to the Family Room Manager/Coordinator or on-call hospital manager .
• Report any issues of infection control to the Family Room Manager/Coordinator or on-call hospital manager.
Skills and Abilities
• A pleasant and professional manner
• Patience, tact, compassion, empathy and extreme discretion
• Awareness of self-care
• Ability to relate to families at times of extreme stress and distress.
Commitment Required
• Prospective volunteers should be available for a minimum period of six months.
Reports to: Family Room Manager and the Family Room Coordinator
For more information: Deborah Holmes, Manager, Volunteer and Family Room Programs, [email protected]
See other volunteer opportunities
TESTIMONIALS
view"This was an absolute ease of mind to have such a convenient facility and an extraordinary staff to help our family through this stressful time. We would love to thank the Ronald McDonald Family Room for accommodating us.
Mustav Family, July 2012
"It means a second area inside the hospital where I can feel at home and have a relaxing "away" area from the stress that comes with long hospital stays. Having spaces like these are convenient in many ways. Cleanliness is tops and service is always offerred with kindess and nice smiles. The rooms which I've used are an excellent idea and hopefully more will be available. I was able to be with my triplets for longer periods of time because of all these great spaces. Please continue to grow. Thanks to the amazing, NICU and Family Room Program staff.
Mom of triplets, July 2012
"As a first-time Grandma, I can't tell you how much we appreciate the Ronald McDonald Family Room. It's a great place to sit with my daughter between feedings. When you're here for 12 hours a day, it's great to relax in such a place. Having a fridge is a good idea so that food can be brought in. As I approach retirement, this would be a great place to volunteer. I can't say enough except thank you to the Ronald McDonald Family Room and the staff.
Mrs. St. Louis, June 2012
I would like to thank everyone who is involved to make it possible for a place such as Ronald McDonald Family Room. I would say it made every day possible because of staying in this room. We were able to breastfeed our babies at the right time, be close to them all the time and at the same time when we needed rest, these rooms were available. Expanding such a service will really benefit parents and will definitely have positive outcomes on their children's health. Thank you to all staff. They are incredibly nice and accommodating.
Mr. Khadim, June 2012
Thank you for creating this space. I really appreciated having a private space to rest, gather my thoughts and collect myself, especially one so close to the NICU, which meant I didnt' have to go anywhere and could be right here for our son. I never expected that I'd be a recipient of the Ronald McDonald Family Room services, but I am so thankful that there is a Family Room. Every hospital needs one.
Irene, April 2012
Words are not enough to describe or express our thanks for such a facility. This is a great service, especially when you are going through a new phase of your life. This service is on par with the services provided by the doctors and nurses. Thank you Ronald McDonald Family Room! We hope to be an active part of your initiatives and helping/assisting others in similar situations. God Bless this initiative.
Harpreet, May 2012
"I would like to say so many Thank youss, but it would be an insult to the staff because they deserve much more appreciation than a little thank you. Every volunteer that I have me in here has been very attentive, kind, generous, sympathetic, sweet, polite. ..the list is endless, smiles are endless. The environment in the room is so positive and welcoming. I've never received an amazing friendly envrionment at any other place, be it hospital or even a hotel.
Rav, Dad
"I was drawn to this volunteer opportunity for many reasons; being part of something new is both exciting and rewarding, and provides the opportunity to help shape the outcome. Additionally, the purpose of the Family Room is a unique one, supporting parents and families when they are overwhelmed and vulnerable. The room provides a space for connection between moms and dad, parents and grandparents, moms and volunteers. These interactions are significant in helping the overall well-being of families during a very stressful time. I have been surprised to see how much the Family Room is...a family room. Just like in your own home, the Family Room provides the opportunity to read quietly, share a story, put your feet up...and take a deep breath."
Mary, Family Room Volunteer
"If it wasn't for the Ronald McDonald Family room at the Credit Valley Hospital, we would have had to get a hotel room and rent a car to get to and from the hospital. Having two premature babies at the hospital, we were always with them or very close to them and having the room right at the hospital was awesome. It made a huge impact on us. Whenever we would go to McDonalds, we would always see the donation boxes and wonder where the money goes to. Having had to use one of the rooms at Credit Valley, we were able to see exactly where the money goes to and will definitely think twice about donating next time we see the boxes. The room was very comfortable and easily accommodated 2 people. It was very tastefully decorated and was very close to the NICU. When you have to go to the nursery and pump every 3 hrs, it sure was handy."
Holly, Family Room Parent
"My reasons (for volunteering) have everything to do with my personal experience and family goals. As a new mother, I have a fresh understanding of the entire experience of delivering, loving and bonding with a new child. A support system of professionals, family and friends are integral to the health of new parents and child. It was especially important to me to volunteer in the community in order to set an example to my son. When my son was only a few months old, we were referred to Credit Valley on 2 occasions for cardiographs for his heart murmur. The personal experience at Credit Valley was always pleasant. The explanation of the volunteer responsibilities (I had come across it online), spoke to me in such a way, that I had no hesitations about applying. The compassionate care role is one that comes to me naturally and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to make a positive impact on families going through a very trying time. Being a new mother, wanting to give back to the community that helped our family, being an example for my son and providing compassion to those that are going through something I can relate to, made for a perfect opportunity at the Ronald McDonald Family Room."
Nikki, Family Room Volunteer
"It was incredibly comforting that there was a place for us to stay so that we could be near our baby. It provided a sense of relief to know that we didn't have to leave or find another place to stay. Being there for longer periods of time with our daughter while also getting an opportunity to rest was what we needed. It allowed us to be there when our daughter needed us for feedings and for physical contact. My husband works the night shift and the room allowed him to rest after work and still be with our daughter. I wasn't aware that there was a Family Room available to us. When the nurses mentioned we should stay there I was relieved. The rooms were very nice and provided a home away from home."
Diane, Family Room Parent