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Exterior of the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford featuring beige siding, gabled roofs, and the Arrillaga Family Center name on the building.

Ronald McDonald House at Stanford

Innovators in Family Centered Care

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. Families of patients not requiring housing can access meals and activities through day-use access. Volunteers and partners allow us to provide daily meals and comprehensive programming to restore a sense of normalcy and community during medical crises.

Read more about our history and evolution >

Overnight Accommodations

RMHC Bay Area private family bedrooms provide safe and comfortable spaces for families to rest and recharge together following long days at the hospital. More than a roof over their heads, these accommodations relieve families of the stresses of finding a place to stay while far from home and allow parents to be stronger partners in their children’s critical care.

Our House at Stanford accommodates 123 families every night.

Stylishly decorated bedroom with a blue and orange color palette, featuring a queen bed, reading chair, desk, and modern wall art.
Stylishly decorated bedroom with a blue and orange color palette, featuring a queen bed, reading chair, desk, and modern wall art.

Overnight Accommodations

RMHC Bay Area private family bedrooms provide safe and comfortable spaces for families to rest and recharge together following long days at the hospital. More than a roof over their heads, these accommodations relieve families of the stresses of finding a place to stay while far from home and allow parents to be stronger partners in their children’s critical care.

Our House at Stanford accommodates 123 families every night.

Group of children drawing and crafting around a table in a colorful, creative space at Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Day Use

Families of children receiving care at our partner hospitals are welcome to utilize RMHC Bay Area programs and services during the day, including:

  • practical and relaxing common areas including great rooms, kitchens and dining rooms
  • no-cost megaBITES meals
  • Private showers and restrooms
  • age-appropriate play areas
  • laundry facilities
  • fitness facilities
  • seasonal day camps for patients and siblings
Group of children drawing and crafting around a table in a colorful, creative space at Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Day Use

Families of children receiving care at our partner hospitals are welcome to utilize RMHC Bay Area programs and services during the day, including:

  • practical and relaxing common areas including great rooms, kitchens and dining rooms
  • no-cost megaBITES meals
  • Private showers and restrooms
  • age-appropriate play areas
  • laundry facilities
  • fitness facilities
  • seasonal day camps for patients and siblings

megaBITES Meals

The megaBITES volunteer teams will provide hot, nutritious meals for families with day passes as well as those staying at our Ronald McDonald House at Stanford.

Young boy with a medical tube on his face smiling at the camera while sitting at a kitchen counter with a plate of food.
Young boy with a medical tube on his face smiling at the camera while sitting at a kitchen counter with a plate of food.

megaBITES Meals

The megaBITES volunteer teams will provide hot, nutritious meals for families with day passes as well as those staying at our Ronald McDonald House at Stanford.

Teacher and young student sitting at a table reading a colorful book together, with classroom supplies nearby.

RMH School (Carter Family Classroom)

Our school was created to support education needs during prolonged and often complex medical treatments far from home. Education support is essential to helping kids collaborate and stay on track with their hometown school districts. We partnered with the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) to establish a full-day K-12 school available for any school-aged student staying at our House.

Taught by a certified PAUSD teacher, the school is recognized as an official district site, which allows students to earn course credit, receive official grades, and access district-funded specialists and parent aids. Working in collaboration with our Family Support Services (FSS) team our teacher and support volunteers create holistic education programs for students during and between school hours.

Teacher and young student sitting at a table reading a colorful book together, with classroom supplies nearby.

RMH School (Carter Family Classroom)

Our school was created to support education needs during prolonged and often complex medical treatments far from home. Education support is essential to helping kids collaborate and stay on track with their hometown school districts. We partnered with the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) to establish a full-day K-12 school available for any school-aged student staying at our House.

Taught by a certified PAUSD teacher, the school is recognized as an official district site, which allows students to earn course credit, receive official grades, and access district-funded specialists and parent aids. Working in collaboration with our Family Support Services (FSS) team our teacher and support volunteers create holistic education programs for students during and between school hours.

Exhale Salon

The Exhale Salon provides supportive and stress-relieving care to families through no-cost haircuts. The Salon is equipped with salon hair styling stations, shampoo and conditioning basins, and massage tables.

Smiling young boy gets a haircut from a stylist in a green blouse and apron inside a bright room.
Smiling young boy gets a haircut from a stylist in a green blouse and apron inside a bright room.

Exhale Salon

The Exhale Salon provides supportive and stress-relieving care to families through no-cost haircuts and massages. The Salon is equipped with salon hair styling stations, shampoo and conditioning basins, and massage tables.

Brightly lit makerspace with yellow chairs, a 3D printer, colorful supplies, a cozy orange armchair, and large windows facing a courtyard.

Makerspace

Launched in 2018, our Makerspace is the first family-centered dedicated space of its kind. Equipped with a 3-D printer, circuits and sound-sensitive Nano technology light installations our Makerspace offers families opportunities to design and create functional keepsakes and practical inventions to support their treatment experiences and promote healing together.

Brightly lit makerspace with yellow chairs, a 3D printer, colorful supplies, a cozy orange armchair, and large windows facing a courtyard.

Makerspace

Launched in 2018, our Makerspace is the first family-centered dedicated space of its kind. Equipped with a 3-D printer, circuits and sound-sensitive Nano technology light installations our Makerspace offers families opportunities to design and create functional keepsakes and practical inventions to support their treatment experiences and promote healing together.

Family Support Services

Family Support Services (FSS) helps families cope with the special challenges of a child’s illness and build on their own strengths. Doctoral and master’s level trainees in clinical psychology, under the direct supervision of our training faculty, offer support to individual families as well as plan and manage House activities, such as Fun Clubs, holiday celebrations, and special events that provide a caring, supportive, and fun environment for all families in the House. Trainees support families in English, Spanish, and other languages.

FSS is a consistent and familiar presence for families and is available through appointments or walk-in basis and during weekly Fun Clubs and monthly special events. Our Grief & Loss program also provides families with support after they return home.

Family Support Services

Family Support Services (FSS) helps families cope with the special challenges of a child’s illness and build on their own strengths. Doctoral and master’s level trainees in clinical psychology, under the direct supervision of our training faculty, offer support to individual families as well as plan and manage House activities, such as Fun Clubs, holiday celebrations, and special events that provide a caring, supportive, and fun environment for all families in the House. Trainees support families in English, Spanish, and other languages.

FSS is a consistent and familiar presence for families and is available through appointments or walk-in basis and during weekly Fun Clubs and monthly special events. Our Grief & Loss program also provides families with support after they return home.

Group of children wearing RMHC Bay Area tie-dye shirts smiling in front of a large outdoor fountain.

Camp Ronald McDonald House

Camp Ronald McDonald House and sibling camps are FREE 10-week programs where children can be themselves in a fun, safe and supervised environments during school breaks. Campers participate in activities such as outdoor play, art and science projects, and more. Lunch and snacks are provided daily. Once a week, campers take a chaperoned trip to a local activity or attraction. Children can participate for one day of camp or every day.

Who can participate?

  • Camp RMH is open to children staying at our House at Stanford as well as out-patient children being treated at Packard Children’s
  • Siblings of patients
  • Children must be 4 years of age or older
  • Children must be potty trained
Group of children wearing RMHC Bay Area tie-dye shirts smiling in front of a large outdoor fountain.

Camp Ronald McDonald House

Camp Ronald McDonald House and sibling camps are FREE 10-week programs where children can be themselves in a fun, safe and supervised environments during school breaks. Campers participate in activities such as outdoor play, art and science projects, and more. Lunch and snacks are provided daily. Once a week, campers take a chaperoned trip to a local activity or attraction. Children can participate for one day of camp or every day.

Who can participate?

  • Camp RMH is open to children staying at our House at Stanford as well as out-patient children being treated at Packard Children’s
  • Siblings of patients
  • Children must be 4 years of age or older
  • Children must be potty trained