Your Stay at RMHCA

Welcome to Your “Home-Away-From-Home.” We are here to welcome you “home” and provide comfort and support while your child receives medical care in the Birmingham, Ala. area!

We understand that you have a lot of decisions to make in this time. We are here to help take care of the “everyday” worries so you can focus on what’s most important: your child.

As guests of the Ronald McDonald House, families are accommodated in a private guest room designed for rest and rejuvenation after spending time at the hospital. The House provides amenities including home-cooked meals, engaging activities, and spaces for both indoor and outdoor play. Our Ronald McDonald House is also furnished with laundry facilities, Wi-Fi and nursing nooks for mom.

RMHC of Alabama is committed to surrounding you with love and support from our staff, volunteers and other guest families. We look forward to meeting you and making your stay as pleasant as possible. Please contact your social worker at the hospital to request a referral to stay at our Ronald McDonald House!

Video Tour: Ronald McDonald House

Photos of families and the RMHC of Alabama logo.

A three-story brick building with a sign that reads Ronald McDonald House.

Approaching the door of the brick building

Entering through the main door into a lobby with a bench and decorative quilts on the wall.

The front desk where two staff members sit to greet guests.

The door to an elevator opens and the camera moves into the elevator.

Exiting the elevator into a hallway with doors to guest rooms on each side.

Inside a guest suite there is a bed, armchair and a bright window.

There is a private bathroom inside each guest room.

A family den can be found on the second and third floor. It includes sofas, chair and a TV.

Three laundry rooms with multiple machines are available for guest use.

Four private nursing nooks are outfitted with refrigerators, sinks and an armchair.

Traveling down the hallway to a window.

The view through the window shows UAB and Children’s of Alabama hospitals, just one block away.

On the first floor, there is a large Family Kitchen with stovetops and ovens, basic kitchen supplies and more.

Guests can cook, store food in the fridges and freezers or grab a snack item that has been donated by the community.

Next to the Family Kitchen is the indoor play area filled with toys, a kiddie table and bench for parents to rest.

There is also an area with vending machines and pantry storage for guests.

The Main Dining Room has many tables and chairs so guests can enjoy eating dinner together.

Next to the main dining room are two private Family Dens Each one has two armchairs, a sofa and a TV.

A large room set with tables and chairs for activities and meetings.

The Game Room has a pinball machine, TV, rock climbing wall and video game console.

Entering the toy store, there are shelves stuff with games, toys and more.

Outside, there is a large playground.

Kids can enjoy slides and a climbing castle and an outdoor playhouse.

A swing set with an infant swing, child’s swing and adaptive net swing.

Underneath the covered patio and tables and rocking chairs.

A group of our staff wave to welcome you!

Our Locations

The Ronald McDonald House® is located at 1700 4th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233. Guests may use the driveway located on 17^th Street South between 3^rd and 4^th Avenue South to load and unload vehicles.

The Ronald McDonald Family Room® is available to primary parents/caregivers of NICU patients at UAB Women & Infants Center.

External view of the Ronald McDonald House

An open area with tables and art on the wall

Accommodations

At the Ronald McDonald House®, each family is assigned to one of 73 guestrooms that include an en-suite bathroom.

Guest families can utilize family kitchens to prepare meals and store personal food items. Our family kitchens are stocked with essential items, including: pots, pans, dishes, utensils, glassware and some basic food items.

The Ronald McDonald House® provides linens and towels for your stay. We recommend families bring any additional personal toiletries. Three laundry rooms are available for guests’ use.

The Ronald McDonald House® offers two dining rooms, complemented by several indoor seating areas designed for relaxation. Dinner is served to all guest families from Sunday to Friday. There are two dining rooms and several indoor/outdoor seating areas to sit and relax. In addition, we have a playground and courtyard, providing for a restful outdoor environment.

Nursing mothers can also access several Nursing Nooks located throughout the Ronald McDonald House®.

Family Eligibility

The following criteria must be met for a family to be eligible to stay at the Ronald McDonald House®:

The family’s child (patient) must be 19 years of age or younger.
The child must either be an inpatient or an outpatient receiving continuous treatment.
A referral form submitted by the medical provider primarily responsible for the child’s care must be sent to the Ronald McDonald House®. This request should be made as far in advance as possible. Please contact the Social Services office at your medical provider for referral information.
Families must live outside of Jefferson County, Ala.
All adult guests must provide photo identification and agree to a background check.
Once a referral is submitted, please complete the background check form.

To determine if we are the appropriate place for you and your family to stay, please contact your social worker at the hospital.

See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information!

Guest Expectations

To preserve the comfortable and pleasant atmosphere of the House, it is imperative that all families contribute by tidying up after themselves in shared spaces such as the kitchen and play areas, as well as in their designated rooms. Additionally, guests are expected to respect the rights of fellow guest families and adhere to the rules of the House.

Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. – 7 a.m.

An eligible family is never asked to leave or denied future stays due to their inability or refusal to make a donation. A $15 deposit is required for keys upon check-in. This deposit will be refunded upon check-out, provided all keys are returned.

RMHCA management reserves the right to make final determinations, at its sole discretion, about eligibility for initial, continued or repeat stays by any family, as well as room location and (re)assignment.