Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut officially open a new 20 bedroom, $11.35 million house across the street from Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital

New Haven, CT (Sept. 13, 2017) – After years of planning, fundraising and community support, the Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut (RMH CT) has opened a new 20 bedroom House on 860 Howard Avenue directly across the street from Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.

The new facilities replace the12 bedroom Ronald McDonald House at 501 George Street that has allowed RMH CT to provide a warm and caring environment for more than 10,000 families over the last 32 years.

“Families of children battling serious illnesses rely on Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut for a safe and comfortable environment, close to the hospital, for the duration of their treatments” stated Stocky Clark, executive director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. “Our Ronald McDonald House is there to offer respite, care, and the ability to focus on their child’s medical crisis as these brave families face the challenge of their lives.”

This new house was designed specifically with families in mind. It features open space in the common areas, larger comfortable bedrooms with private bathrooms, sunrooms and family lounges, a children’s playroom, teen room and family patio. In general, the house provides a warm homelike atmosphere with large windows, welcoming colors and plenty of volunteers to support the children and their families throughout their stay.

The first phase, of a three-phased expansion that will culminate in a 42 bedroom facility, cost $11.35 million to build. Construction was completed in one year to create the 28,000 square foot state of the art facility.

The co-chairs for the Capital Campaign, David Fusco and Larry Lazaroff, announced that over $5.4 million was donated from our community for this special project. The local McDonald’s owner operators of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts contributed $2 million. Scott Taylor, president of the McDonald’s Co-op, stated that the owners were proud to support the construction of the new House and acknowledged the great work that the House continues to provide families when misfortune strikes a child with a life-threatening illness.

Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital (YNHCH) has provided tangible support from the beginning of the project by providing the land across the street from the hospital, a generous subsidy for 10 years to assist with loan repayment, and the purchase of the 501 George Street property. They also will help by providing more land next door for Phase III. Cynthia Sparer, executive director of YNHCH, said, “We are delighted to be working so closely with the Ronald McDonald House to ensure that our families receive support and care while their children receive the best medical care possible.”

Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman who participated in the dedication said, “The Ronald McDonald House has been a wonderful source of relief and comfort to more than 10,000 families over the past 32 years. I am excited about this new chapter in their history of serving children and families in need. This new state-of-the-art facility will serve as a beacon of hope to thousands and thousands of families for the decades to come.”

“The Ronald McDonald House has been a landmark and point of pride to the City of New Haven. I am honored to be a part of your dedication ceremonies for this new House that will serve our community and state. Just as the House at 501 George Street served as an anchor to the neighborhood, so will your new House anchor its neighborhood,” Mayor Toni Harp said.

New House Highlights:
18 family suites with bathrooms
2 respite rooms
42 person dining room
Large kitchen with 4 stoves & pantry
Refrigerators and freezers for each family
Living room with TV and piano
Children’s playroom
Teen room
4 sun rooms
Family lounge area on each floor
Community meeting room
Laundry room on each floor
Outdoor patio
Toy closet

Ronald McDonald House Charities of CT and Western MA Board Chair, Michael Favreau, stated, “Our goal is that far into the future, thousands more families with sick children will have this house to find comfort and care when they must travel long distances to find medical care for their children. With support of our donors, fewer families will have to spend the night in their car or in a waiting room to be near their child.”

Mike Favreau also expressed his special thanks to all involved in the project. “Thanks also to all the volunteers and supporters who have been there to help us over the last 32 years and to all those who have given their financial support to help us build hope”

The new Ronald McDonald House is now a reality thanks to the dream and hard work of the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers, Building Committee, Capital Campaign Steering Committee, Finance Committee, Petra Construction, Svigals & Partners Architects. Leland Torrence Enterprises, TPA Design Group, Farmington Bank, CAMA Inc., Yale New Haven Health, McDonald’s Owner Operators of CT & Western MA and the more than 800 donors who contributed over $5.4 million to help us “Build Hope.”

The first Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut opened in May, 1985 on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on healing their child. The mission is to create a warm and caring environment for families with critically ill children undergoing treatment at local hospitals far away from home.