A Month of Milestones and Magic
At Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY), we know that when a child is seriously ill, nothing is more important than keeping their family close. While our iconic House on East 73rd Street continues to provide temporary housing and care for families traveling to NYC for pediatric treatment, our Ronald McDonald Family Rooms bring that same spirit of support and comfort directly into local hospitals in four of the five boroughs. These spaces serve as vital havens for caregivers—offering them a moment to rest, decompress, and care for themselves just steps away from their child’s bedside.
Officially opening in 2021, the second Family Room, located at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, has become a beacon of warmth and connection since it opened. Nestled within a bustling city hospital that serves one of the most diverse communities in the nation, the Elmhurst Family Room thrives thanks to the passion and dedication of Jen Wiener and their colleague and juice-making extraordinaire Feng Jin. Together, they’ve fostered an environment that is not only welcoming and nurturing, but also deeply attuned to the cultural and emotional needs of the families and staff they serve.
Alumni Family #1
From baby milestones to big kid accomplishments—our families grow with us. This family celebrated a NICU graduation in the picture below, and we were thrilled to mark the occasion with balloons, cupcakes, and community cheer! They recently returned a thriving alumni family to visit the Family room and say hello.
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Here’s a heartfelt look back at everything that made July 2025 such a memorable and meaningful month in the Family Room.
Kicking Off July with Festivities and Thoughtful Resources
Independence Day Refreshments Table
Stars, stripes, and summertime sweets! Our July 4th spread featured Melona pops, fresh fruit, and classic treats for families and staff to enjoy together.
The month began in festive fashion with a Fourth of July spread that included buttery croissants, chilled slices of fresh watermelon, and delicious Korean ice cream bars—a refreshing treat perfect for the summer heat. This small celebration brought a bit of levity to caregivers navigating some of their most stressful days, and it set the tone for a month full of thoughtful touches and bright moments.
To coincide with National Self-Care Month and BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month, the team curated a beautiful, accessible resource table stocked with materials and tools promoting wellness, emotional care, and cultural awareness. Caregivers were invited to browse and take items home, underscoring RMH-NY’s holistic commitment to the wellbeing of the entire family—not just the patient.
Self-Care Month Display Table
Prioritizing wellness. Throughout July, our Self-Care Month display offered families and caregivers resources, affirmations, and gentle reminders to care for themselves, too.
A Bittersweet Goodbye: Celebrating a NICU Graduation
One of July’s most moving moments was the graduation of a NICU family who had become regulars in the Family Room over a three-week stretch. The staff had come to know them well, and their journey was marked with quiet resilience, tenderness, and community. The graduation was a time for smiles, hugs, and hopeful goodbyes—made even more special by the presence of Tessa, our summer volunteer, who had formed a gentle connection with the family during her 3-week assignment. We’re deeply grateful to Tessa for the grace and empathy she brought to the space throughout her time with us.
A NICU Graduate and Family with Elmhurst + RMH-NY Team
Bittersweet goodbyes were had with this family and the new NICU-graduate who were visiting the Ronald McDonald Family Room for three weeks out of the month.
Welcoming Back Alumni Families
In a heartwarming surprise, several alumni families returned to visit the Family Room in July. These were families whose children had previously “graduated” from Elmhurst’s NICU and who had spent considerable time finding comfort and connection in our space during their hospital stays. Their return—this time with growing, thriving little ones in tow—was emotional and uplifting.
The team captured “before and after” photos of each family, offering a visual journey of healing and hope. These snapshots serve as quiet reminders of the impact of small, everyday kindnesses: a warm space to sit, a snack, a conversation, a moment of rest.
Alumni Drop-in #2
We love seeing familiar faces! Alumni mom Irma stopped by the Family Room with her daughter Kimberly—who couldn’t wait to show off her butterfly shirt and bright smile. A sweet reminder of the community we’re building every day.
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Ice Cream Month Gets the VIP Treatment
Ice Cream Cart with Manishi
A scoop of kindness! Our Family Room volunteer Manishi served up sweet relief with the mobile ice cream bar, complete with all the toppings. Hospitality has never looked cooler.
July is National Ice Cream Month, and Elmhurst’s Family Room team went above and beyond to mark the occasion. Feng, with the enthusiastic help of our volunteers Manishi and Grethel, transformed the Hospitality Cart into a mobile “ice cream truck”—complete with a full toppings bar and even the iconic Mister Softee jingle, which played from a portable speaker as the cart made its way through the Pediatric Unit.
The joy was contagious. Young patients and their families lit up at the sight of the cart, excitedly choosing their flavors and toppings. Hospital staff smiled knowingly—even as they jokingly expressed a little envy—and many paused to say how much it meant to see their patients experiencing such joy in the middle of treatment. On a hot July day, a little scoop of sweetness made a big difference.
Grethel at the Ice Cream Hospitality Cart
Sundaes and smiles, served with love! Grethel brought cool relief to warm July days with her mobile ice cream bar, delighting both kids and parents in the Family Room. Just one of many ways we sprinkle joy into hospital days.
A Big Boost Behind the Scenes
July also brought an important infrastructure upgrade thanks to the tireless efforts of the IT team, who worked across multiple RMH-NY Family Rooms to improve internet connectivity. A stable, high-speed internet connection may seem like a small thing, but for families spending long hours in the hospital, it can be a lifeline—keeping them connected to loved ones, work, school, and vital resources.
Kevin and Feng with Cake
A well-earned celebration! Partners in program care, Kevin and Feng, brought plenty of smiles to the Family Room in July—including cake! Teamwork like theirs makes everything possible.
Kevin from IT deserves a special shoutout: not only did he personally stop by to finalize the Elmhurst installation, he also brought a celebratory cake to mark the moment. It was a simple but deeply appreciated gesture of kindness and celebration—hallmarks of everything RMH-NY stands for.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
None of these special moments would be possible without the compassion, creativity, and leadership of Jen and Feng, who bring a remarkable blend of professional skill and personal care to everything they do. Whether coordinating with hospital staff, training volunteers, or simply being a calming presence for a distressed caregiver, they make the Elmhurst Family Room more than a place—it’s a lifeline.
Alumni Family Reunion #3
Three hearts, one strong bond. This amazing family found a quiet moment of joy and connection during their time in the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Elmhurst. Spaces like this make a difference—one family at a time.
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We also thank our volunteers, hospital partners, and the families themselves, whose stories, strength, and trust infuse this space with meaning. From watermelon and ice cream to NICU graduations and internet upgrades, July was filled with reminders of what’s possible when care is shared.
As we head into August, we remain committed to our mission of standing with families during their most challenging times—offering them moments of peace, connection, and the reassuring knowledge that they are never alone.
Thank you, Jen and Feng, for your unbelievably creative and consistent devotion to the families and caregivers at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst.
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