Arranging Your Stay
Begin your arrangements to stay at the Ronald McDonald Houses of Ann Arbor simply by calling: (734) 994-4442 or speaking with a hospital social worker. Call between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. any day of the week, and ask for a manager. They will answer your questions and add your name to our list.
Before you call, here are some things you should know:
The House is usually full, and frequently there is a waiting list. High demand and uncertainty of a patient's discharge date make it difficult for us to predict room availability. Priorities for available rooms are based on several factors including patient diagnosis, distance traveled, and special family needs.
Because our staff can only offer same-day notice of room availability, it is essential that you make alternative lodging arrangements in the event the House is full. The University of Michigan Hospital Patient & Visitor Hotel Accommodations Dept. (800-544-8684 or 734-936-0135) can provide you with a list of area hotels that offer discounts.
Families are asked to donate $10 per night during their stay. This donation covers only a portion of our operating expense. The rest is covered through donations. If the $10 per night is a hardship for your family, ask the manager about special payment arrangements.
The Houses employ a Day Manager, an Evening Manager, and Weekend Relief Managers. The Houses depend a great deal upon volunteers who serve in a variety of capacities, including office help during the day and evening.
The main Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor "Ann Arbor House" is a three-story, brick building, located just two blocks from C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. We can provide lodging for up to 29 families, with 29 bedrooms, a large kitchen, laundry facilities, a living room, and recreation areas. Limited free parking is available.
The Ronald McDonald House within Mott Hospital "Mott House" is located on the 10th floor of the hospital, adjacent to the PICU and the PCTU. We can provide lodging for up to 12 families at this facility with 12 bedrooms with private showers, a small kitchen area and living area, and laundry facilities. Children are not permitted at this House.
Checking in and checking out
Check in and check out is between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., 7 days a week.
Please allow 30-45 minutes to check in. A volunteer staff member will assist you with registration, review the House rules, take you on a tour of the House and answer any questions you may have.
Intructions for checking out will be given to you when you arrive. Apart from paying fees and any other balances, checkout includes laundering your sheets and towels, room inspection, and returning keys and parking permit.
What to bring
You will need to bring your own personal items. The House will provide pillows, sheets, blankets and towels which you will be responsible for washing.
Food items are provided to families only as they are donated to us. You are assigned your own cupboard and refrigerator space to store your own food items. The kitchen is stocked with dishes and cooking equipment.
Toiletries are available as donated for those who need them. Rollaway beds and cribs may be checked-out.
Security
The Resident Manager or Weekend Manager is on duty at the House from 9:00 p.m.-9:00 a.m. daily, after the office closes. Each guest receives a code that provides access through the front door, which is normally locked. Thus, families who stay at the hospital late into the night may return to their rooms at any time. University of Michigan Health System Security provides transportation service between the House and the hospital after 7:00 p.m., and it is strongly recommended that women traveling by themselves use that service. The manager on duty can arrange for security transportation services.