Construction is Underway on $30 million, 60,000 square foot House to double the number of families served

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Baltimore announced today that construction has begun on a significantly larger, 60,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility which will accommodate 2,200 families annually, more than doubling the occupancy of the current House and replace the existing House. 

“After years of planning and fundraising, we are thrilled to watch construction over the next 18-24 months and our dream of a New Ronald McDonald House in the Jonestown neighborhood of Baltimore become reality,” said Sandy Pagnotti, president of RMHC Baltimore. “Thanks to the incredible support of the community, we will double our capacity to serve families in crisis who come to Baltimore in search of hope and care at our world class medical institutions.” 

The House will provide much more than a roof over families’ heads; it will provide spaces and vital resources so families can focus on the health and well-being of their children. Features of the new House include:

- 54 family guest rooms, including nine suites designed for bone marrow and transplant patients and 45 standard guest rooms

- Strategically designed community gathering spaces that promote interaction among guests

- Accessible kitchen and dining room

- A Meditation Room for solitude and respite

- A Teen and Young Adult Room

- Student Classroom Space

- A state-of-the-art Family Business Center with computers, printers, and internet accessibility

- Outdoor playground with an adjacent picnic and dining area for outdoor meals and special events

- The Magic Room – a “kids only” room

- Laundry and Exercise Facilities

- Fully accessible bathrooms

- A Private kitchen and dining space for immune suppressed families and those who need a calm area for mealtime

- Specialized air handling systems

- Roof Top Terrace

- Conference and Multipurpose Room available to families and outside organizations

“While the new House will have state-of-the-art amenities, our staff and volunteers are committed to keeping the heart and soul of the House front and center with our focus on being a place of respite, comfort, compassion and support,” said Pagnotti. “It’s a great day for RMHC Baltimore and a great day for the City of Baltimore to begin this effort.” 

The new House will be located at located at 1 Aisquith Street in Jonestown. RMHC Baltimore will be a vested partner in the ongoing revitalization of historic Jonestown, one of Baltimore’s oldest neighborhoods. The new House will work with the community to renovate the adjacent McKim Park to include a new basketball court, new playground and upgraded green space. These recreation facilities will be available to the community, as well as the families staying at the House. The park renovation project has been created from a partnership between the RMHC Baltimore and the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks. 

RMHC Baltimore embarked on the New House Campaign more than three years ago under the stewardship of campaign co-chairs Bill Paterakis and Chuck Langmead. Under their leadership, the campaign has garnered support from hospital partners, foundations, corporations, and individual donors including the Weinberg Foundation; the Paterakis/Tsakalos Family; the Johns Hopkins Hospital Children’s Center; Kennedy Krieger Institute; University of Maryland Medical Center; McDonald’s Owner Operators of Greater Baltimore and the Eastern Shore; Dresher Foundation; Edward St. John; France-Merrick Foundation; Northeast Foods,;The Kenneth Battye Foundation; McCormick & Co.; Bob Pascal; Peter Grimm; and The Kahlert Foundation. Construction and building partners include Beatty; Harvey and Coco Architects; Morris and Ritchie Associates; Whiting Turner; Kirk Designs and Harbor East Management. Room naming opportunities still remain and donations are still necessary to fund the final phases of the new building.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities Baltimore

The mission of RMHC Baltimore is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. RMHC Baltimore, the only Ronald McDonald House in Maryland, has been home to more than 40,000 families since 1982. RMHC Baltimore serves as an extension of care for six Baltimore-area hospitals including the University of Maryland Medical Center; R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center; Johns Hopkins Hospital; The Rubin Institute at Sinai Hospital; Kennedy Krieger Institute and Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital. All RMHC-operated and supported programs, enable family-centered care, provide a bridge to quality health care, are a vital part of the health care continuum and give children and families the time they need to cope better together. For more information on the how you can donate to the new House, please visit  www.rmhcbaltimore.org/ournewhouse.