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Family Room Volunteer
Make a difference in the lives of all the families that come through our doors.
As a volunteer at our Ronald McDonald Family Room, located inside Norton’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital, you make a difference in the lives of all the families that come through our doors.
Our volunteers help us to meet and greet our families, as well as respond to their questions and needs. Without the love and devotion of volunteers, the Ronald McDonald Family Room could not function, and many families would have no place to go for comfort during one of the most difficult times of their lives.
Some typical volunteer responsibilities include:
- Answering phones
- Housekeeping
- Laundry
- Assisting families
- Stocking supplies
To become a Ronald McDonald Family Room Volunteer, you must complete our Family Room application and the Norton Hospital application.
Location: Norton Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Plaza 1, 4001 Dutchmans Ln, Louisville, KY 40207
During volunteer onboarding, you will:
- Complete a background check
- Attend an in-person tour of the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Norton Women’s and Children’s Hospital (NWCH)
- Meet with the NWCH Director of Volunteers for a hospital onboarding orientation
- Schedule a volunteer assessment with NWCH Employee Health. Proof of all up-to-date immunizations, including the flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, and annual TB testing, is required.
- Review our policies and procedures
- Complete two 3-hour volunteer shadow shifts
- Select your monthly volunteer shifts
Once you have completed onboarding, you will be scheduled for your first volunteer shift.
We’re excited to have you join the team!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for becoming a Ronald McDonald Family Room Volunteer?
- Be at least 18 years old
- Complete all onboarding steps, including a background check
- Be able to work at least one 3 hour shift per month
- Proof of all up-to-date immunizations, including the flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, and annual TB testing, is required.
How do I get started volunteering at the Ronald McDonald Family Room?
To become a Family Room volunteer, you must fill out our volunteer application and the Norton Hospital application. Once your application has been reviewed and approved, our Director of Programs and Facilities will contact you to complete your background check and schedule a tour of the Family Room at Norton Women’s and Children’s Hospital (NWCH). You’ll then meet with NWCH Volunteer Director and schedule a volunteer assessment with NWCH Employee Health. Once you’ve completed all necessary steps, you will schedule your two 3-hour shadow shifts with a seasoned volunteer or our Director of Programs. After you have completed your shadow shifts, you will be regularly scheduled for volunteer shifts based on your availability.
Will I be working with children?
Due to the small nature of the Family Room space, children are not allowed to stay.
What if I can't make a scheduled volunteer shift?
We understand things can come up that don’t allow you to make your volunteer shift. The volunteer schedule is flexible and other shifts are generally open to fill in place of a missed shift. Please contact the Director of Programs and Facilities in advance when aware of a missed shift.
What is a typical day like for a Family Room Volunteer?
Volunteers at the Ronald McDonald Family Room, located inside Norton Women’s and Children’s Hospital, provide a welcoming atmosphere for guests by extending their hospitality through various activities. These activities include greeting guests, assisting them with any questions or needs during their stay, stocking daily use supplies, and cleaning rooms after their departure for the arrival of new guests. Volunteers work independently on their shifts with little supervision. The pace of the family room tends to be on the quieter side which allows the flexibility for volunteers to bring reading materials if desired.
How many families are at the Family Room?
We have room for four families to stay with us. However, our occupancy varies.
Core Values
