Ronald McDonald House® Orange County

The effectiveness and success of our program is measured through a variety of quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods based on feedback provided through comment cards, surveys and detailed records maintained by RMHOC staff. Comment cards and formal check­out surveys gather feedback on families’ experiences, including ratings of the facilities and procedures, as well as the effects of their stay on their health and well­-being. Staff also maintain detailed records of their interactions with each family in order to identify guest needs and concerns. All of this feedback is reviewed regularly by key leadership and staff to help guide ongoing program enhancements and validate whether we are providing the level of support our families need.

Some of our greatest accomplishments are demonstrated in the positive feedback we receive from the families that have stayed with us. We would like to share Elvis’ story:

“Our son fell very ill August 16, 2021, he was throwing up non-stop, not eating, not sleeping, and experiencing headaches. We went to two emergency rooms and his pediatrician, they all felt his symptoms were caused by COVID, the stomach flu or that I was being an overprotective mother. When we got to CHOC on September 4, 2021 the story changed. They welcomed us with great care and rushed our son into emergency surgery. Only to find out he had a tumor the size of a tennis ball on his right frontal lobe. We didn’t understand at the moment that our son had cancer and was about to begin a long journey. We live in Long Beach and have only one car so getting to his appointments was going to be very difficult. Our social worker Nena recommended we try the RMHOC, and it was here that Katie opened the doors and welcomed us with love and support. Room 9 is where we started our son’s journey through radiation and chemotherapy. At the House we were greeted every morning by Johanna’s beautiful smile. Johanna helped us build Elvis’ wagon that he used to get around, since he had started to feel tired after radiation and was not able to walk as much as he used too. The House is where I vented out to Denise who opened her heart and ears. The House is where wonderful volunteers came to donate their time and make us breakfast and dinner. The House is where we would come ‘home’ from a long day of appointments to something beautifully baked by volunteers. The House is where we found peace and we didn’t have to worry about doing laundry or stressing about food or bills. The House is where we found Love and Hope from strangers. The House is where we realized WE HAD SUPPORT. Thank you, Ronald McDonald House Orange County for giving us an opportunity to take time to slow down and focus on our son and let him just be a child. The House proves that there are still people out there with good intention of being there for your family.”