New House Will Expand Services and Accommodations by over 75%

August 5, 2025 – RMHC South Florida will host its groundbreaking ceremony for a new $33 million House on September 9, 2025. This development marks a significant leap forward in the organization’s mission to provide essential support for families with critically ill children. As the only Ronald McDonald House serving all counties in South Florida and the sole provider of free pediatric lodging in Miami, this expansion will give Hope a New Home.

Currently, RMHC South Florida hosts nearly 225 families and offers over 3,000 nights of care annually. However, it operates at full capacity every night, and in 2024, 125 families had to be turned away, making the need for additional accommodations more urgent than ever.

After more than a decade of planning and dedication, and with 80% of the funding secured, the nonprofit expresses its profound gratitude to the generous donors, advocates, and champions who have made this expansion possible.  The new house will increase RMHC South Florida’s capacity from 31 to 54 rooms, allowing it to serve over 420 families each year and provide 5,740 nights of care annually, effectively eliminating the waitlist. This transformation will not only offer additional lodging but also meals, activities, and essential community care.

“We are incredibly excited to break ground on this new facility, which will allow us to serve over 420 families each year,” said Soraya Rivera-Moya, Executive Director of RMHC South Florida. “This house will symbolize our collective commitment to ensuring that no family has to face their struggles alone. For the South Florida community, this is a crucial development. As the only Ronald McDonald House serving all the counties in this region, we have a responsibility to be there for every family that needs us.”

The new house will be conveniently located steps away from Holtz Children’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial Medical Center. It will feature 54 en-suite bedrooms with private bathrooms, along with a large commercial kitchen to prepare daily meals for families. Additionally, there will be smaller family kitchens for a more intimate dining experience, as well as an outdoor terrace and modern communal spaces.

“Family is what it’s all about,” said Alex Rodríguez, President of the Board of Directors for RMHC South Florida. “My father helped open the first Ronald McDonald House in South Florida back in 1982. His dedication to serving families in need has inspired me and countless others to continue this important work. In September, with the groundbreaking on the new House site, we carry forward that legacy.”

This ambitious project was made possible through the collaboration of key partners, including CAMCON Group, Paragon Development, and Justin Architects, P.A. The groundbreaking ceremony will take place at the future site of the new facility, where community leaders, supporters, and families will gather to celebrate this monumental milestone. The event will also feature remarks from key stakeholders such as Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Jackson Health System CEO Carlos Migoya, and Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer at Jackson Memorial Medical Center Joanne Ruggiero.

To learn more about the Hope Has a New Home Capital Campaign and how you can get involved in making a difference for families, visit rmhcsouthflorida.org/capital-campaign.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities® of South Florida

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of South Florida is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation that creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. RMHC helps families with ill or injured children stay together and close to the medical care their child needs at leading hospitals worldwide. RMHC programs not only provide access to quality health care, they enable family-centered care ensuring families are fully supported and actively involved in their children’s care. For more information,

visit www.rmhcsouthflorida.org. Follow RMHC on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.