Expanding our capacity allows us to help more families
Over the last several years, demand for Ronald McDonald House® Charities of New Mexico’s support has increasingly exceeded its capacity, which means more and more families who hope to stay at the House are turned away because it’s full.
Everyday New Mexico families with children needing medical treatment travel to Albuquerque for essential medical care not available in their own community. Children in medical crises need their parents nearby, and families need a temporary home while supporting their ill children. Since 1982, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico (RMHC-NM) has provided temporary lodging to over 38,000 families traveling 50 miles or more to Albuquerque. In 2019 we accommodated 1,086 families, equating to nearly 9,500 room nights. On average, RMHC-NM is forced to turn away up to 200 families annually simply due to lack of space. We know RMHC-NM can never build a house large enough, but we can make Room for Every Family.
The new Highlands House will include 20 guest rooms, community kitchen, play and common areas. This will allow us to grow from 30 to 50 rooms, and help us serve an additional 640 families each year. Located directly across from Presbyterian Hospital in the Springhill Suites by Marriott, it is the first purpose-built Ronald McDonald House in a hotel. As the first of its kind in the country, RMHC-NM has the opportunity to develop a new model for service delivery.
Construction broke ground on March 11, 2019 and is projected to open in summer 2020. Learn about the Room for Every Family via our quick Fact Sheet. You can also view a presentation on the Highlands House here.
Click on links below to learn more and find the best way for you to help.