Fourteen new beds will soon open in Syracuse for families to stay closer to their kids when they are sick or injured. WAER News took a peek at the nearly completed expansion at the Ronald McDonald House, where families stay free of charge while their children receive care at nearby hospitals.
It’s been more than a decade since the house was built on the corner of East Genesee Street and University Avenue, replacing a smaller, older home nearby that was not fully accessible. Executive Director Beth Trunfio says it wasn’t until after the pandemic when they saw the opportunity to meet the evolving needs of families by using 9,000 square feet of unfinished space on the building’s 4th floor.
“There's private bedrooms where a child could be put down for a nap or take a rest," Trunfio said. "Everyone else can go about their day or their activities. There is space for parents who are working remotely and then the capacity for extended Family members, grandparents, an aunt and uncle.”
Trunfio says on any given night, they might have 40 to 50 family members in the house where families can gather in the large dining rooms for meals. She says the goal is to ease what can be an overwhelming financial burden on families who are already caring for a sick or injured child.
“It could cost a family of four over $400.00 a night to stay in a hotel and have meals and park," Trunfio said. "And then what's missing from that really is the sense of home and security and really support and camaraderie from other parents going through the same thing.”
Trunfio says inflation and food insecurity have also led to increased demand for their facilities, food pantry items, and meals. The Ronald McDonald House is open to anyone who lives 25 miles away or more with a child being treated as an inpatient or outpatient at the nearby hospitals. The $1.1 million project is in its final stages, and should be completed by late June.
More information about the expansion and how to support the charity can be found here.
