Helping families heal

The partnership between RMHC Tampa Bay and Raymond James spans more than two decades. Laetitia Boyle, director of investment banking business development at Raymond James and treasurer on the board of RMHC Tampa Bay, credits the strength of the partnership to “the natural intersection between both organizations’ core values.”

Boyle said, “At Raymond James we care deeply about our clients. And at RMHC, they care deeply about helping their clients: families in need. They act as long-term stewards, working tirelessly to ensure there’s a steady flow of capital, investment and resources so that families with sick children can benefit from critical support.”

Free for as long as a family needs

RMHC Tampa Bay’s mission is to provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families and promote healing when children need healthcare. At its core, their work helps house and support families, and ultimately enables them to access healthcare specialists.

The first House in Tampa Bay opened in St. Petersburg West in 1980, adjacent to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Since then, three other Houses have opened, serving families and children at Tampa General, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and Shriners Hospital.

In 2024, a partnership between RMHC Tampa Bay and St. Joseph’s Hospital launched plans to open a new fifth House inside the hospital, bringing the total number of rooms up to 91 and giving families a place to be as close to their children as possible.

Joe Citro, chief of development & marketing at RMHC Tampa Bay, said: “We believe every child should have a parental advocate by their side during treatment. But advancements in medical care have led to increased specialization, meaning more families are traveling in search of the best specialist care. More families coming to Tampa Bay is a positive sign for our community, but it presents a challenge.”

Around one in five families stay with RMHC Tampa Bay more than once. The most common reason families stay with RMHC Tampa Bay is for neonatal and perinatal treatment. Usually, children return to receive ongoing specialist care, procedures or check-ups. But not every family stays for weeks at a time – some are local, and some have a child who requires medical care for only one or two days. Helping families take a break and find comfort during shorter stays is still a priority for RMHC.

“RMHC are always trying to find creative ways to meet the growing needs of the families we’re serving,” Citro said. “Between accommodation and meals, we estimate we save families that stay with us around $1,000 a week. Regardless of whether they’re using our meals on the go or having a space to rest and shower, our goal is to meet those needs and provide comfort during challenging times."

The “Bring Hope Home” campaign

In 2023, RMHC Tampa Bay launched the "Bring Hope Home" campaign after struggling to meet the demand for 350 family nights. The average stay also increased from 12 nights in 2020 to 16 nights in 2025. The campaign raises funds for the new fifth house at St Joseph’s Hospital, and retains RMHC’s long-held focus of keeping families close while improving access to healthcare for children in need.

Boyle said: “Over 75% or RMHC’s funding comes from the community. While McDonalds and its franchisees play a role in funding RMHC initiatives, it’s also through community donations and corporate partnerships that each House is equipped to be a long-term resource and ongoing support system for families.”

In support of the longstanding partnership, Raymond James contributed to the new fifth House’s kitchen as part of the “Bring Hope Home” campaign in 2025. This space, to be named in honor of the firm’s support, will be a lasting symbol of our commitment to the well-being of children and families in need.

“The impact of building the fifth House is one that will last for years to come,” said Citro. “Whether families stay with us one time or repeatedly, not having to worry about finding or paying for a place to stay and, more importantly, being able to focus 100% on their child has a profound impact. It takes a village, and I’m grateful for long-term partners like Raymond James for their support.”

Learn more about the work and impact of RMHC Tampa Bay.

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