The Garden of Dreams Foundation and Ronald McDonald House New York Unveil Brand-New Family Rooms at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan
The Garden of Dreams Foundation Provided a Grant Worth More Than $500,000 to Construct Two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in the Pediatric Clinic
Nov 08, 2024
The Garden of Dreams Foundation (GDF), the non-profit organization that works with the MSG Family of Companies to bring life-changing opportunities to young people in need, and Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY) announced today the completion of two brand-new Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan’s Pediatric Clinic.
The newly-constructed Family Rooms provide a relaxing space for the 135 pediatric patients, ranging in age from babies through age 21, and their families who are seen at this outpatient clinic every day. The Ronald McDonald Family Rooms will have RMH-NY programming staff and volunteers on hand to facilitate fun activities, distribute snacks, and ensure that families have a positive experience during their time at the hospital.
The two-Family Rooms are themed, with one focusing on the Knicks and Rangers, and the other focusing on Madison Square Garden’s entertainment properties including The Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre and the Radio City Rockettes. The spaces feature custom murals that showcase inspiring individuals, including Knicks alumni John Starks and Allan Houston; Rangers alumni Rod Gilbert, Adam Graves and Henrik Lundqvist; the Rockettes; and Garden of Dreams Talent Show performers. Additionally, the Garden of Dreams Foundation supplied approximately 100 books for the pediatric patients to use in reading nooks within each space.
“Since its inception in 2006, the Garden of Dreams Foundation has worked with thousands of young people facing health challenges, and we have seen how difficult long days in the hospital can be for patients and their families,” said Rich Constable, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Government Affairs and Social Impact at MSG Entertainment. “In collaboration with our long-standing partner, Ronald McDonald House New York, we are proud to provide a welcoming escape to help families enjoy quality time together, even during the toughest times.”
The openings marked a significant milestone in RMH-NY’s continued expansion to provide its services for more families who are battling pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses in hospitals across the five boroughs. RMH-NY has Family Rooms in the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst.
“Ensuring that families have a welcoming space where they can find comfort and strength while staying close to their children as they receive treatment has been central to our mission for 45 years,” said Dr. Ruth C. Browne, President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House New York. “As we continue to expand our services to hospitals across the five boroughs, we are deeply grateful to the Garden of Dreams Foundation for their generosity and support, which has allowed us to open two beautiful new Family Rooms. These spaces will serve as a beacon of hope for so many families as they navigate the difficult fight against serious pediatric illnesses, offering them a place of solace during the most challenging times.”
“The Metropolitan family extends our heartfelt gratitude to Ronald McDonald House and the Garden of Dreams Foundation for their generosity and unwavering commitment to building this amazing space for our patients and families,” said Julian S. John, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan. “This project and continued support from both organizations will provide a healing space for our youngest patients and will support our commitment to delivering respectful and compassionate care.”
“The Ronald McDonald rooms at Elmhurst and Kings County Hospitals have brought comfort to so many families during challenging times,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “Today, we celebrate two new spaces for our pediatrics patients and their families at Metropolitan Hospital. We are grateful to Garden of Dreams Foundation and Ronald McDonald House for their generosity and care, which will be felt by patients for years to come.”
Ronald McDonald House New York was one of the Garden of Dreams Foundation’s first partner organizations when the Foundation was founded in 2006. This partnership first came to be through Ronald McDonald House New York supporter and New York Rangers legend Rod Gilbert. Metropolitan Hospital is one of 16 partner hospitals for Ronald McDonald House New York, which has served more than 59,000 families throughout all five boroughs of New York City, across the U.S. and around the world.
For more information about the organizations or to support the Garden of Dreams Foundation or Ronald McDonald House New York, please visit gardenofdreamsfoundation.org and rmh-newyork.org.
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About The Garden of Dreams Foundation
The Garden of Dreams Foundation is a non-profit charity dedicated to bringing life-changing opportunities to young people in need. In partnership with MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and Sphere Entertainment – including the Knicks, Rangers, Rockettes, Westchester Knicks, famed showplaces, and regional sports and entertainment television networks – the Garden of Dreams brings young people together to raise their spirits, build resilience, and provide networking, mentoring and educational opportunities through MSG’s power of community building. All of the Foundation’s activities are driven by three guiding principles – Community Projects, Education, Inspiration & Joy – and target young people facing illness or financial challenges, as well as children of uniformed personnel who have been lost or injured while serving our communities. Since its inception in 2006, the Garden of Dreams Foundation has impacted more than 440,000 young people and their families.
About Ronald McDonald House New York
Located on East 73rd Street in New York, Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY) is New York City’s House. The organization provides temporary housing for children with pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses and their families in a strong, supportive and caring environment that encourages and nurtures the development of child-to-child and parent-to-parent support systems. RMH-NY has served more than 59,000 families throughout all five boroughs of New York City, across the U.S. and around the world, and approximately 40% of families are international. Its 11-story, 79,000 square-foot House features 95 guestrooms – including six post-transplant suites – four full guest kitchens, laundry facilities, two outdoor terraces, private libraries, a dining room, living room and more. At the House, families are welcomed with love and comfort, and lifelong friendships are formed among people who understand what it’s like to cope with devastating diagnoses. RMH-NY’s programs help to provide families a sense of normalcy, including wellness programs, educational tutors, music, art, transportation, activities for siblings, holiday and birthday parties, specialized support groups and more. The organization’s presence extends well beyond the confines of the House, as RMH-NY is also committed to positively impacting communities across the five boroughs. Through partnerships with 16 of the city’s leading hospitals, RMH-NY provides critical services to families with children with serious illnesses at these hospitals working to address the social determinants of health inequalities faced within the New York City community. For more information, or to learn how to volunteer or donate, please visit www.rmh-newyork.org.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation. We are a network of 11 hospitals, trauma centers, neighborhood health centers, nursing homes, and post-acute care centers. We are a home care agency and a health plan, MetroPlus. Our health system provides essential services to more than one million New Yorkers every year in more than 70 locations across the city’s five boroughs. Our diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan
NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan is a 338-bed acute care teaching hospital located in East Harlem, a predominantly immigrant, working class community in northeastern Manhattan. Established in 1875 on Wards Island, it is one of the nation’s oldest public hospitals. It has been affiliated with New York Medical College since its founding, a relation that represents the oldest partnership between a hospital and a private medical school in the United States. NYC Health + Hospital/Metropolitan is the primary provider of health care and preventive medicine in the community and provides respectful, compassionate care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.