Guest Information

The Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut is a 12 guest room house. It is comfortable secure and fully handicapped accessible and provides comfortable bedrooms, a convenient kitchen, laundry facilities, telephones,Internet access, televisions, a play room, a family room, a library and perhaps most importantly the companionship of other families dealing with similar crises.

Children and their families benefit from a warm, helpful environment, where emotional support is provided by caring volunteers and other people in similar situations. Because of the enormous financial burdens facing families as a result of increasing health care costs they are asked to pay only a modest sum per family per night to stay at the House. Although many can not afford even a modest sum no one is ever turned away because of inability to pay.

Guest Check In and Registration

All guests must register before being admiited to the House.We ask that guests arrive at the House between 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. When a family arrives at the House, they will be registered by a volunteer or staff member who completes necessary paperwork, explains the House rules, and gives a tour of the House facilities.

•  Guest Registration Form

Cost

Families are asked to contribute $15 per night. For those unable to pay, there is no charge. In order to keep costs affordable, guests are asked to assist the other families with simple housekeeping chores.

Staff

The House has two full-time and two part-time staff members, as well as volunteers on the premises 24 hours a day/365 days a year. Their goal is to help each guest experience a pleasant stay. We are the only Ronald McDonald House in Connecticut and have served thousands of guests since opening our doors in November of 1985.

The Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut opened in May of 1985. Since opening, we have provided temporary housing to the parents of thousands of children from the United States and all over the World. We are located in close proximity to the Children's Hospital at Yale-New Haven, Yale-New Haven Hospital, The Hospital of St. Raphael, Bridgeport Hospital.

Who Can Stay at the Ronald McDonald House

Priority is given to families of severely ill children (up to age 21) receiving treatment at local hospitals, either as in-patients or out-patients. Each family is issued one room, to accomodate a maximum of five persons. Siblings are welcome to stay along with their family members.

We do not accept self referrals. A doctor's office, social worker, or other medical professional must call us to begin the process of making a reservation. All reservations must be confirmed 24 hours in advance of checking in to the House.

House Rules

In order to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests and staff, and to make sure that your stay is as pleasant as possible, we ask that you follow these guidelines.

•  Length of stay is 21 days unless otherwise approved by the House Manager
• Maximum of five overnight family members to a room.
• No pets
• No smoking in the House; designated area outside.
• Shoes are required at all times
• Guests must leave upon discharge of the patients.
• Up to two family and/or friends may visit you, but they must leave the house by 9 PM. Visitors are not allowed to stay overnight.
• Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult family member unless they are emancipated minors.
• Children must not operate kitchen or laundry appliances.
• Check-out time is twelve noon.

Staying at the House: What to expect.

Each family is provided with one room. All rooms are furnished with a TV/VCR, telephone and answering machine. Bathrooms are located in the hallway and are shared by other guests. You may take advantage of any of our common rooms including:

• Two fully equipped kitchens
• Eat-in dining area
• Living room, library, TV lounge
• Sun room and patio
• Play room and fenced- in yard
• Computers with internet access
• Laundry facilities
• Courtesy shuttle transportation to and from the Yale/New Haven Hospital
• Secure parking lot