CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation has awarded $1 million in grant funding to support Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Alberta with the expansion of its Calgary location to create an additional 60 suites for families.

“Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta is doing outstanding work to support families at some of their most challenging times,” said Murray Scotton, Chair of the CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation. “This funding will allow more families to have a safe place to stay when they are caring for their ill child and provide a warm caring home for them to be a part of during that time.”

RMHC Alberta supports families seeking vital medical treatment for their seriously ill or injured child, while providing a home-away-from-home for families who need to travel for medical reasons. The RMHC house is an inclusive space, serving all communities and populations including people with disabilities, LGBTQ2+, Indigenous people, and newcomers to Canada.

“More families need RMHC than ever before. Alberta’s Ronald McDonald Houses are full, yet we’re only meeting 14 per cent of the demand. As an essential service, this is simply unacceptable. Families traveling for medical care, along with AHS, need us to expand.” says Jason Evanson, CEO of RMHC Alberta. “Our first steps towards expanded capacity begin with this generous grant from CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation.”

Work is well underway for the Calgary expansion project. Funds granted to RMHC Alberta will be delivered over three years with the final installment in 2025.

“No family should bear the additional emotional and financial stresses of not being together when they’re faced with the illness or injury of a child,” says Thomas Lui, Board Member and Expansion Committee Chair with RMHC Alberta. “This $1 million grant from CREB^® will impact many families that are facing issues related to accessing healthcare and enables RMHC Alberta to address some of those challenges.”

The Legacy Grant is the Foundation’s signature funding stream designed to create new housing options. For more information about CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation, click here.

For more information about RMHC Alberta, click here.

From left to right: RMHC Corporate Development Officer Sarah Heibein; RMHC CEO Jason Evanson; CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation Chair Murray Scotton; and RMHC Chief Development Officer Denise Kinghorn.