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COVID-19 Updates & Guidelines

You can help us house, feed, & support families through medical crisis

Video by Kaitlyn Robinson | RMHC Bay Area’s influential leader, Chief Executive Officer Laura Boudreau, MSW, MPH, shares how far the Charity has progressed during the pandemic and what the future holds. 

COVID-19 Updates & Guidelines

You can help us house, feed, & support families through medical crisis

Latest News

Community Engagement Session Schedule

Virtual Community Engagement Sessions

Interested in learning more about Ronald McDonald House Charities Bay Area? Want to get involved, give back, volunteer time, but unsure where to start? A Community Engagement Session is the perfect place for you! Register for a virtual Community Engagement Session below.

*Note: Sessions will be tailored based on time of year and upcoming chapter events and programs. If you’re interested in a specific event or program, note the session descriptions.

  • All 2024 virtual community engagement sessions have already passed. Stay tuned for next year's dates on this page.

In-person Open Houses (10 person max, 45-60 minute tour)

Our Ronald McDonald House at Stanford is one of the largest medical housing facilities in the world, providing overnight stays to 123 families each night as they seek lifesaving treatments at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.

Sign up below to schedule a tour and learn a little bit more about RMHC Bay Area

Located at Regional Headquarters:

Ronald McDonald House at Stanford, 510 Sand Hill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304

2024

  • All 2024 In-Person open houses have already passed. Stay tuned for next year's dates on this page.

*Must be 16 years or older to attend.

Have a specific question? Please reach out to Mallory Johnson, Manager of Corporate and Community Engagement, mallory.johnson@rmhcbayarea.org

Guidelines & Restrictions

We are working closely with our hospital partners to protect the health and safety of patients while still providing access to lifesaving medical care during the pandemic.

Stanford House Restrictions

At our Ronald McDonald Houses, we have implemented restrictions and protocol to mitigate the risks of exposure to COVID-19 for families and medically fragile patients in our care. Only registered family members and essential personnel will be granted access to our facilities and programs, until further notice.

For visitors and volunteers:

  • All volunteer shifts are suspended until further notice. You will be notified directly by your primary volunteer contact regarding shift cancelations and important volunteer updates.
  • No visitors will be allowed entry
  • Our Day Pass program is suspended until further notice; only family members registered as overnight guests will be permitted access to the House.

For families:

No siblings under 18 years of age who are not already staying at the House as a registered guest will be permitted on site.
To ensure proper health screenings, key card access is now restricted to the front doors of Arrillaga Family Center and Taube Family Center.
To adhere to CDC guidelines, access to activity rooms and common areas is being adjusted to reduce exposure risks. Please look for the most up-to-date information on the House monitors, RMHC Bay Area app, posted signage, and by checking with front desk staff.

For staff: Your supervisor will provide department- and role-specific guidelines related to COVID-19.

San Francisco Restrictions

Reflecting UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco policy, no volunteers will be allowed entry until further notice. Due to our location inside the hospital, our San Francisco staff and families will adhere to hospital guidelines.

Stay Updated

Health risks from COVID-19 are rapidly evolving. We continue to track information and recommendations provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention as well as coordinate with our hospital partners at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. Updates will be posted here. You can also follow us on social media @RMHCBayArea or subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you receive news directly to your inbox.

    

IMMEDIATE NEEDS

Families still need housing, food, and support more than ever.

Direct donations make an immediate impact, allowing staff to purchase and prepare food typically funded by our volunteer meal groups, which is key to feeding families while COVID-19 restrictions are in place.

Other ways to help
Comfort and Joy Logo

You can also help by purchasing wish list items and have them delivered directly to our regional office at 520 Sand Hill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304. (Items for both San Francisco and Oakland should be shipped to our regional office in Palo Alto.)

Sustaining Gifts

Stability is so important to families in our care as they are already coping with medical uncertainty and fear. To help families in our care get through these next few months, please consider making a recurring monthly donation to RMHC Bay Area.