2025 Mid-year Impact Report by Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Louisiana

of South Louisiana

Dear Friend,

Because of you, hope is alive and thriving at our House and Family Room!

In the first 6 months of this year, your generosity has delivered comfort, care, and critical support to 196 families that’s 878 individuals who turned to us during their child’s medical crisis and found something more: relief, rest, and an opportunity to recharge.

These families stayed an average of 19 nights, but one family stayed 312 nights. Families traveled from 42 parishes, 8 states, and 2 countries to be close to their child and their care team.

You also fueled the heartbeat of our mission — 510 volunteers and 2,845 hours of service. That’s over $98,000 in volunteer power, inspired and empowered by your commitment.

Your impact shows up in every warm meal, every stocked pantry, every fresh sheet and folded towel. You’ve replaced worry with warmth. You’ve given families a place to stay strong.

As we head into the remainder of 2025, one thing is clear: You are the reason our House and Family Room are able to thrive! Because your impact goes far beyond these walls. It reaches into every hospital room, every waiting parent’s heart, and every child’s journey toward healing.

f i f i i tay close. se.

Grace McIntosh, MSW, MPA Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Natlon Montrel Chief Operating Officer

HarrisProgram Director

Blanchard Family Services Coordinator

ParkerCommunity Resources Specialist

Centrilla Family Room Coordinator

Kenya BrownOperations Manager

Smith Family Room Associate & Round-Up Outreach

Lauren FittsCampaign Manager

Claire Petty Administrative Associate

Crystal

Candace

Denise

Alison

Whitney

Chivas Jenkins Family Services Associate

Our Legacy of Hope Our Legacy of Hope

The Beginning

The first Ronald McDonald House opens in Philadelphia with the Philadelphia Eagles, McDonald’s, and Dr. Audrey Evans leading the way for families of critically ill or injured children Childhood Cancer Support

Children’s Oncology Services of Louisiana (COSLA) forms to support families of children with cancer across the state.

Louisiana’s first House

COSLA formalizes its organizational intent, gains nonprofit status and becomes the fundraising arm for the 53rd Ronald McDonald House and the first House in Louisiana Partners in Care

In 1981, the House location is finalized and fundraising efforts to open the House are in full swing with full support of the New Orleans Saints players and ownership.

COSLA evolves, becoming the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater New Orleans and in December 1983, the first Louisiana House opens at 4403 Canal St in New Orleans. It’s iconic and inviting yellow exterior will welcome guests for nearly 40 years. The House that Love Built

Katrina’s Wake Katrina’s devastation would be felt at the Canal St. House with massive flooding and extensive storm damage The House would remain shuttered for repairs for almost a full year.

The House Reopens Beginning with financial support from other Ronald McDonald Houses across the country and around the world, funds pour in to repair our House. In addition to these gifts, extensive support from RMHC Global’s vendors provided equipment and furnishings to rebuild and refurnish the entire house

A More Inclusive Name

In 2015, our name was updated to include South Louisiana and remove Greater New Orleans, allowing the name to reflect the Chapter’s geographic boundaries within the state of Louisiana.

Growing to Serve

Amidst the height of the pandemic, while our House was shuttered from April to October, we announced our partnership with Children’s Hospital (now Manning Family Children’s) to relocate our House to their Uptown Campus and expand our services by growing from 15 rooms to 22.

The Year of Expanse

In December 2022, almost 40 years after the Canal St House welcomed its first guests, our House moved just steps away from Children’s Hospital. We also opened the very first Family Room in the state at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital in Lafayette.

Milestones at 40

On December 10, 2023, we celebrated our 40 birthday, four decades of service to families of critically ill or injured children and 40,000 individuals served

Improving Services

In our continuing efforts to meet our families where they are, and to serve more robustly, we implemented our Community Resources Program aimed to provide dedicated case support for families while in our House and as they transition home

Moving Forward

In 2025, we will be growing to serve more families, creating deeper and more robust partnerships to improve spaces, and providing even more resources Stay tuned!

parishes served

families traveled from

42 8 parishes states

2 countries

196

families served at our House & Family Room

878

individuals served at our House & Family Room

19 nights

3,573 overnight stays average nights stay

312 longest stay in nights

primary reasons for stay volunteers

2,845 $98,978 510 volunteer value volunteer hours volunteers

premature birth cardiology | cardiac ICU cancer

Acosta / Howard Family Acosta / Howard Family

In January 2025, Marissa Acosta and Adriel Howard’s lives changed forever when their son, Saint, was born prematurely with severe medical complications. With his organs underdeveloped, Saint was placed on ECMO, a life support system, and the family’s world was turned upside down. Marissa was airlifted from Baton Rouge to New Orleans for specialized care, and the couple faced a difficult road ahead.

On January 12, 2025, they found refuge at our House on the campus of Manning Family Children’s, a lifeline that would support them during some of the darkest days of their lives. Marissa, recovering from a cesarean section, could barely walk when they arrived. Adriel, ever devoted, carried her into the House and took care of their family while Saint fought for his life.

As the days passed, Adriel walked back and forth from the hospital, visiting Saint and caring for their other children, Saige and Adriella. To provide for his family, he found work at the Superdome during the Super Bowl festivities. RMHCSLA was there to help, offering daily transportation, groceries, diapers, and even burial assistance when Saint sadly passed away after his month-long fight. During the historic snowstorm, we also provided a safe place to stay at the Parkview Hotel when we had to evacuate the House. When they were ready to leave, we provided them with transportation back to their Baton Rouge home.

“The Ronald McDonald House played a pivotal part in our healing process,” Marissa said. “We’re grateful to have connected with you. Once we have a car, we plan to visit you all again.”

Through this unimaginable journey, our Family Services am, Community Resources Specialist, and House to me case management program provided more than elter— they offered compassion, support, and a sense of mmunity. And while this heartbreaking experience is not outcome that the Acosta/Howard family would have ped for, it speaks of the power of keeping families close their child’s medical care and the gift of time that we rk so diligently to share with families in their most ficult times of need.

Meet Our 2025 Executive Committee

Carl A. “Trey” Woods Vice President

Jason Leblanc, CPA, CHFP, CGMA Treasurer

Welcome

Dr. Janifer Tropez

Dr. Janifer Tropez is a proud New Orleans native and a driving force in women’s health at Tulane University School of Medicine, where sheservesasAssistantProfessorofObstetrics&Gynecology.

A Xavier University and LSU School of Medicine alum, she trained in Washington, D.C., before returning home to mentor future physicians as Clerkship Director at Tulane. After seven years back in D.C., she’s once again bringing her expertise, passion, and hometown pride to Tulane — and to the women and families she serves.

Thank you for joining our team, Dr. Tropez! We’re so glad to have your wisdom and expertise to aid in serving our families at RMHCSLA!

JP Hymel Secretary

Hyder Brewster Development Chair

Eric Hoffman Board President