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At RMHC Dayton, our highest priority has always been the health and safety of our guests, staff, and volunteers. As the unprecedented challenge of Covid-19 unfolded, RMHC Dayton took swift action, adjusting our programs and services to protect our team while continuing to fulfill our important mission of providing care to families with sick or injured children.
In March, RMHC headquarters announced a global, temporary suspension on the acceptance of new families into Ronald McDonald Houses, as well as the temporary closure of all Ronald McDonald Family Rooms. These decisions were made to help stem the spread of COVID-19, protect guest families and RMHC staff, and support public health efforts.
In an effort to remain committed to the health and well-being of families of sick and injured children while also maximizing our resources to serve the greatest number of individuals in need, RMHC Dayton repurposed our 14-guestroom House to accommodate frontline healthcare workers, providing them with a safe space to rest, regroup, and recharge.
With the support of our medical partners, and through funding provided by the Covid-19 Response Fund for Greater Dayton, we provided the families that were currently utilizing the House with alternative accommodations in hotels near their child’s medical facility. Families also received care packages, food vouchers, and ongoing social support to ensure the safety, security, comfort, and general well-being throughout this tumultuous time. To ensure the health and safety of the healthcare providers utilizing the House, RMHC took additional precautions and put protocols in place including professional sanitization and cleaning before and after each room use.
RMHC Dayton is proud to have served our community in a different way through the critical first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that our community has implemented best practices for health, gathered sufficient resources, and built the infrastructure necessary to respond to the disease, it is time to transition back to providing community, comfort, and hope to families of seriously ill children within our program walls.
Effective Monday, June 29, RMHC Dayton will reopen to serve families at our House. Effective Monday, July 6, RMHC Dayton will reopen to serve families at our Family Rooms. Though our program spaces will look different, and our reopening will consist of multiple phases to ensure a safe transition for all, we are thrilled to once again open our doors to families in need. While the entire world tries to imagine what a post COVID-19 world looks like, we know that for RMHC, it will always reflect our innovative and resilient spirit and our deep commitment to children, their families, and our incredible medical community.
Be well, stay safe, and thank you for your support during this unprecedented and challenging time.
With gratitude,
Rita Cyr CEO, RMHC Dayton