More Than a Room: Bringing Comfort and Care to Families Beyond the House

March 24th, 2025 | News

By now we hope you have heard of our exciting campaign called Room for Comfort, a vital initiative to cover the cost of the anticipated 2,000 hotel night stays and essential wraparound services (warm meals, transportation and access to emotional and peer support) needed for families in 2025. Every dollar raised directly supports families, eliminating the financial burden of these expenses.  

Last year alone 669 families found comfort and care through a hotel stay as part of their child’s healing journey. Without our incredible hotel partnerships and generous supporters, like you, we would have to face the heartbreaking reality of turning these families away.  

 We are so grateful for the corporate community partners who stepped up to lead this effort – Exact Sciences, Raymond Management Company and Numbers 4 Nonprofits. Together, they’ve secured 360 hotel night stays towards our 2,000-night goal.   

We have also had generous individuals give monetary gifts, to bring us 30% of the way to our goal! But there is still more work that needs to be done for families like the Shoemakers. 

“We’ve never been through anything like this before – it has been life-changing,” shared new parents Dolores Sweeney and Matthew Shoemaker of Rockford, Illinois. The parents of four-week-old daughter, Aria, shared how what should have been one of the most exciting moments of their lives, turned into every parent’s worst nightmare.  

When pregnant, doctors found a dilated bowel in Aria’s intestines, known as cystic fibrosis. While they remained hopeful, they knew surgery might be inevitable. Shortly after birth, Aria was rushed to American Family Children’s Hospital, where she underwent surgery to remove a third of her intestines.  

Due to all the rooms at the House being full at the time of their arrival, RMHC-Madison placed the Shoemakers at a nearby hotel for a week until a room opened at the House. The family shared how they’ve felt supported every step of the way – from the hotel to the House – providing them exactly what they’ve needed to be close to their baby.  

“Now, we can walk right up to the hospital and be with her whenever we want. Her progress has been amazing. To everyone who has donated, we appreciate you so much because we could not do this on our own.”  

“Every family deserves to be close to their child, especially when they are receiving medical treatment. With your help, we can make sure no family is left without a ‘Room for Comfort’” said Stephanie Hayden, RMHC-Madison Chief Executive Officer.  

Without the support of our generous community, our mission wouldn’t be possible.    

To watch the Shoemaker’s story and for more information about Room for Comfort visit rmhcmadison.org/room-for-comfort/.