Family Stays
The magic of community in healing goes far beyond four walls.
words by julie mulkern
photos courtesy of rmhc of maine
Solomon and Amber Nethers never imagined how quickly their world would change.
At just 28 weeks into Amber’s pregnancy, she was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia, a life-threatening condition in which the placenta can no longer provide adequate nutrients for the baby. As the baby struggles, the mother’s body begins to sacrifice its own organs in a desperate effort to preserve life. When Amber’s organs began to show signs of failure, doctors made the urgent decision to deliver their son.
On February 29th, Ezekiel entered the world weighing just 2.2 pounds—a tiny “leap baby” with a mighty fight ahead of him.
Ezekiel’s arrival marked the beginning of a long neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay. Once Amber was discharged from the hospital, the reality set in quickly: the cost of hotels, the exhaustion of commuting from Waterville to Portland, and the constant worry about meals—all layered on top of the emotional toll of having a critically ill newborn. Then, just when they needed it most, they found Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine.
That moment changed everything.
At RMHC Maine, family-centered care isn’t a slogan—it’s a promise. For more than 50 years worldwide, and here in Maine for decades (since 1983 in Bangor and 1995 in Portland), RMHC has removed barriers, strengthened families, and promoted healing when children need healthcare most. By staying close to major hospitals, families can remain near their children during treatment— precisely where they belong.
For Solomon and Amber, RMHC meant more than a place to sleep. It meant relief from the crushing weight of daily logistics. It meant being able to focus on what mattered most: being parents.
Because of the generosity of donors and volunteers, they were able to hold their son, bond with him, and simply be present during the very first moments of his life. They gave Ezekiel his first bath. They learned how to use a bottle. They shared quiet, irreplaceable moments that might otherwise have been lost.
Over the past decade alone, RMHC Maine has supported more than 8,000 families, providing over 75,000 nights of free comfort, meals, and care.
Research consistently shows that keeping families together significantly improves health outcomes for hospitalized children. Yet less than 20 percent of families staying at RMHC Maine can donate toward their stay. Last year, RMHC Maine saved families over $2.5 million in health-related expenses, including housing, travel, and food.
When a child is hospitalized, the last thing a family should worry about is where they will sleep or when they will eat. RMHC ensures those needs are met, without question.
After 95 days in the NICU, Ezekiel finally headed home.
Behind stories like Ezekiel’s are spaces designed to feel like home. RMHC Maine operates two Houses—34 guest rooms in Portland and 14 in Bangor—serving families from across all 16 counties in Maine, Northern New Hampshire, and beyond. Families stay while their children receive specialty care at Eastern Maine Medical Center, Maine Medical Center, Acadia Hospital, and Spring Harbor Hospital. Fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, and private rooms help families maintain a sense of normalcy amidst chaos.
Nourishment plays a vital role in that care. One of the most cherished offerings at RMHC Maine is the nightly dinner provided through the Meals from The Heart Program. Corporations, community groups, and families volunteer to prepare warm, home-cooked meals. Last year, dinner was served on 320 evenings at the Portland and Bangor Houses.
RMHC Maine also extends its support directly into hospitals through Family Rooms at Maine Medical Center and Eastern Maine Medical Center. These welcoming spaces allow families to rest, shower, do laundry, grab a snack, or simply breathe—steps away from their child’s bedside. Ronald McDonald House Managers work closely with hospital social workers to ensure seamless transitions and personalized support, creating an environment where families feel cared for, connected, and never alone.
All this work is made possible by teams of volunteers who are the lifeblood of RMHC. More than 100 individuals contributed 7600 hours of service last year alone. They cook meals, clean rooms, greet families, listen, and offer kindness in countless quiet ways. Other ways to become involved are to make “Mom” bags, resupply the cleaning closet, stock the snack pantry, data entry and filing, or host a fundraiser.
Partnerships fuel this mission. RMHC’s founding and forever mission partner, McDonald’s, contributed $500,000 last year through campaigns such as Round Up, Donation Boxes, and Give a Little Love. Hundreds of individuals, foundations, and corporate partners across Maine support our work year-round.
Today, RMHC Maine is sustained by a dedicated team of 23 staff members, 16 board members, and over 100 volunteers—serving thousands of families each year.
Looking back eight months later, Solomon and Amber reflect with gratitude—not just for the care their son received, but for the kindness that surrounded them. While the NICU journey was never easy, one burden was lifted entirely: they never had to worry about their basic needs. Without RMHC Maine, their story would have been marked by exhaustion and uncertainty.
Instead, it is defined by compassion, stability, and the people who made room for hope.
And if Ezekiel could share a message of his own, it would be this: however you choose to give, you are helping families feel at home, even when they can’t be.
To learn more about RMHC Maine and how to get involved, visit rmhcmaine.org
