Fall-Winter 2017 Newsletter One of the real joys of the holiday season is the opportunity to say thank you. Thank you for helping us to reach further and positively enrich the lives of over 16,000 people throughout Niagara this past year. Thanks to you, we are able to help people through the steep challenges of living with a terminal illness, die with dignity and provide bereavement support to adjust to the loss of a loved one. It is a privilege to be part of this precious time in a person s life. The holidays is also a time to remember those special people who have touched our lives. I invite you to take a moment to feel with warmth of our holiday butterfly tree display at The Pen Centre or in the lobby of The Stabler Centre. These trees are filled with expressions of love and grace. Thank you for all that you do, whether volunteering your time or through financial support of our mission. Together, we continue to work towards providing exceptional and compassionate care to everyone, everywhere, every time. Warmest thoughts and best wishes to you and yours, Carol Nagy and the staff of Hospice Niagara
2 Upcoming Events Christmas trees are selling quick at the Watering Can Flower Market. For nine years, all proceeds are given to Hospice Niagara and McNally House. Make sure to get yours at: 3711 King St., Vineland, ON 28 James St., St. Catharines, ON Read the "Trees for Hospice" story at https://www.thewateringcan.ca/blog/ the-reason-behind-the-trees Visit the Pen Centre s Charity Gift Wrap Lounge (at Santa s Village) and our volunteers will wrap your holiday treasures. Proceeds to Hospice Niagara December: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 21, 23 *Hours vary Three Easy Steps: Are you hosting a party this holiday season? If so, consider making it a Giving Back Bash for Hospice Niagara! 1. When you invite your guests, ask them to consider donating to Hospice Niagara (in lieu of bringing a host/hostess gift). 2. We ll provide donation cards and information on Hospice Niagara or guests may donate securely online: www.hospiceniagara.ca/donations/donate.php 3. Drop off or mail the completed forms to us. Tax receipts are provided to the donor for amounts of $10 or more. Let us know and we can provide brochures and donation forms. Contact us at 905-984-8766, x231 or events@hospiceniagara.ca.
3 Upcoming Events Exploring Grief Dreams 7:00pm to 9:00pm Join us in exploring Grief Dreams with Joshua Black. Joshua is one of the leading academic researchers in the field of dreams of the deceased after loss. He has focused his graduate work on investigating this neglected topic (MA and PhD). He continues to publish scientific research in the field as he finishes his PhD at Brock University. Make your reservation online at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/exploring-grief-dreamstickets-39398081723?aff=es2 Or RSVP to: Melissa Penner, Bereavement Specialist P: 905-984-8766 ext 233 E: mpenner@hospiceniagara.ca Please Note: There is limited seating RSVP is required. The Stabler Centre is a scent free facility The Stabler Centre is on the bus route. Please park at the back of the Church of Christ on Royal Henley Blvd.
4 Community Support Recently we started our new Comfort Cart in the residence (located outside the Quiet Room). This cart will be used to provide Hospice Comfort to our residents and loved ones while in the residence, and will be maintained by one of our volunteers. Thank you to the Raven s Nest in Port Colborne for refreshing this cart so it may provide comfort to those we serve. This idea was truly a team effort! Armanor Farms Thank you for your kind donation of $785.40 from your 50 s day at the farm in honour of Andries Godschalk SR. Pat Godschalk (left) and Leanne Doyle Chris Rodgers Thank you for the kind donation of a small fridge for the staff room. From left: Perry Patterson, Debbie Costa and Chris Rodgers Dancin for Miracles Thank you for your kind donation $4,000 from the annual Dancin for Miracles event that took place on September in Wasaga Beach. Valerie Keller (right) and Shari Willerton Happiness for Hospice Thank you for your kind donation $3,700 from the annual Happiness for Hospice quarter auction. From left: Sharon Cooper, Kelly Vlaar, Victoria Plante, Jennifer Wallace and Lana Plante Hershey Canada Inc Thank you for the gorgeous handmade cedar glider chair, made by Denis Lance, in memory of Nancy Rowan Murphy. From left; back row, Tina Van Egmond, Carol Anne Everson, Jessica Kramer, Carmine Iannone, Deb Narcisse, Richelle Nitelet, Colleen Cummings, Alice Moskaylk, Shelley Wilson; front row, Perry Patterson and Marybeth Lance Insurance Brokers Association of St. Catharines Thank you for your kind donation of $2,000 from your First Annual Golf Tournament. From left: Paula Leshkewich, Cindy Gravelle, Carma Pollock, Richard Nagel and Karen Cerca.
Meridian Credit Union Pendale Thank you for your kind donation of $132 from the proceeds of Jean Days. 5 RBC Thank you for your kind donation of $25,000 towards Hospice Niagara s Teen 2 Teen Bereavement Programs. From Left: Adam McInnis, Sherry Veg, Martin Zareemba, Melissa Penner, Manon Johanns, Carol Nagy and David Day Sandra s Home Health Care Thank you for your kind donation of $1,446 from the BBQ and car wash at Superior Car Wash. From left: Kelly Vlaar, Sandra D alessandro & Gary DeMeo Simpsons Pharmasave Thank You for your kind donation of $300 from the proceeds of your summer BBQ. St. Catharines Professional Fire Fighters Association Thank you for your kind donation of $2000 for our TASTE of the Harvest event. From left: Carol Nagy, Christopher Slota (Secretary of the St. Catharines Professional Firefighters Association), Sandra Sabo and Ryan Madill (President of the St. Catharines Professional Firefighters Association) Steven and Pam Arnold Thank you to Steve and Pam and their wedding guests for their kind donation of over $500 in lieu of wedding gifts. Congratulations! 7th Annual Shirley O. Charity Golf Tournament Thank You for your kind donation of $1070 from the Golf Tournament at Whiskey Run Golf Club. From left: Sheila Campbell, Jennifer Wallace and Mary Howard Ieleane Rogers Family Thank you for the beautiful handmade bench made by EAWS memorial benches in honor of Ieleane Rogers, AKA Wonder Woman. From left: Frances De Lima, Danielle Selman and Jayne Potter Thank you to our Community Partners for their ongoing support. To find out how you can help, visit us at hospiceniagara.ca
Thank you to all 5 Car Draw Volunteers for your hard work and dedication! 6
7
Thank You To Our 2017 TASTE of the Harvest Supporters 8
Hospice Niagara Happenings 9 HNHB CCAC Transitioned into HNHB LHIN The Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brand (HNHB) Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) has been working towards transferring the assets, rights and responsibilities of the HNHB Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) over the summer to HNHB LHIN. What does this means for Hospice Niagara? To refer someone for consideration for placement with The Stabler Centre residential hospice or to access to Hospice Niagara s home programs, call the HNHB LHIN to be assigned to Care Coordinator for assessment. The telephone number remains the same 905-684-9441 1-800-810-0000.
Volunteer News 10 Thoughts on being inducted into the June Callwood Circle of Outstanding Hospice Volunteers 2017 Many events in our lives are celebrated and remembered annually as well as by decades. This award has special significance to me, since I am receiving it on the 10 th anniversary of The Stabler Centre, the physical presence of Hospice Niagara, here in St. Catharines. Another significant anniversary this year is the 50 th anniversary of the founding of St. Christopher s House in London, England, in 1967 by Dame Cicely Saunders, which marked a new beginning in caring for a patient s physical, spiritual and psychological well-being. In founding St. Christopher s, Dame Saunders made an extraordinary contribution to alleviating human suffering. The Hospice has been a center of innovation and insight ever since. Another anniversary this year, far less significant, is the 60 th anniversary of my graduation from kindergarten. In 1986, Robert Fulghum wrote a book titled All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. While this book taught me lessons such as how to share everything, how to play with others, and to take a nap every afternoon, I came to realize there were subjects that were not covered in the book. While I learned in kindergarten When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together, it was through Hospice that I learned to apply these lessons. I let my clients know that I am willing to walk with them on the difficult journey they are on. It was through my two decades of volunteering at Hospice Niagara and encounters with persons living with life-limiting progressive illnesses and their families, that I came to learn valuable life lessons, such as the importance of listening with the heart rather than analyzing with the head; listening in order to understand, rather than listening merely to reply. Such encounters change you. They should change you. They make you realize the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death how fleeting life can be, how precious our human connections really are, and how empty so much of what we pursue and obsess over really is. To those who nominated and supported me in receiving this award, I am grateful. To those I served who taught me the compassionate lessons about life and who have gone on to heaven, I am eternally grateful. Thank you, Bob Thistlethwaite Carol Nagy, Bob Thistlethwaite, Nancy DiPasquale
Staff News 11 We extend a warm welcome to the following staff and students: Carrie Gallen-Noell Fund Development and Data Specialist Catherine Duffin RN (Casual) David Tyminski Psychosocial / Bereavement Counsellor Jason (Jay) VanHuizen PSW (Casual) Kailey Huys PSW (Casual) Dr. Kim Adzich Community Palliative Care Team Kelsey Putman PSW (Casual) Lakshma Prasannan RN (Casual) Meighan Truant RN (Casual) Congratulations to Angela Morrison & Catherine Zanchin for the continuation of employment from New Grad Program to RPN (Casual) Organizational Announcement To best meet the needs of our clients and their loved ones and to support the goals of our Strategic Plan, several organizational changes were recently implemented. These include: Joanna Mataya was promoted to Director of Community Programs. Joanna s focus now includes integrating volunteer services (Visiting Volunteers and Day Hospice) and implementing strategic initiatives related to our community programs. Kelly Vlaar s title has changed to Manager of Organizational Development with the expansion of implementing HR programs for both staff and volunteers as well as programs that support our strategic objectives. Jessica Estabrooks title has changed to Manager of Finance, Operations and Quality Improvement, with the addition of Quality Improvement added to her portfolio. Marnie Engel, Community Programs Volunteer Coordinator, will report to Kelly Vlaar on an interim basis. Her expanded role includes coordinating volunteer assignments, some function-specific training, communication and support. In this restructure, the position of Manager of Volunteer Services was eliminated; therefore we thank Nancy DiPasquale for her contributions to the organization over the past two years and wish her well in her future endeavours.
Hospice Niagara in the News... 12 Below are links to several articles that have recently appeared in print. Finding peace in nature Niagara needs more hospice beds: Carol Nagy Dignity in death: People don t need to suffer Palliative Care: Living Your Fullest Life Niagara Close-up She knew palliative care. Then it hit home Reprinted from Health, Wellness and Safety Magazine (HWS), Vol. 8, Issue 4
13 Contact Hospice Niagara Carol Nagy Executive Director cnagy@hospiceniagara.ca Ext. 225 Joanna Mataya Director, Community Programs jmataya@hospiceniagara.ca Ext. 205 Jessica Estabrooks Manager, Finance, Operations and Quality Improvement jestabrooks@hospiceniagara.ca Ext. 238 Shari Willerton Manager, Marketing, Communications and Fund Development swillerton@hospiceniagara.ca Ext. 230 Tina Van Egmond Director of Care tvanegmond@hospiceniagara.ca Ext. 247 Kelly Vlaar Manager, Organizational Development kvlaar@hospiceniagara.ca Ext. 269 Pamela Mackie Executive Assistant pmackie@hospiceniagara.ca Ext. 223 Call us at 905-984-8766 info@hospiceniagara.ca Community Palliative Care Teams Niagara North Cheryl Rothwell Clinical Navigator & Client Services Coordinator crothwell@hospiceniagara.ca Ext. 263 Niagara South Susan DeCicco Clinical Navigator & Client Services Coordinator sdecicco@hospiceniagara.ca Ext. 201 Marnie Engel, Community Programs Volunteer Coordinator mengel@hospiceniagara.ca Ext. 228 Melissa Penner Bereavement Specialist mpenner@hospiceniagara.ca Ext. 233 Jennifer Wallace Administrative Assistant jwallace@hospiceniagara.ca Ext. 222 Access to our Services & Programs Service is provided to people throughout the Niagara region, including St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Pelham, Thorold, Wainfleet, Welland, Port Colborne, Fort Erie, and Lincoln. We also serve Niagara-on-the-Lake, in co-operation with the Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Palliative Care Service. Client Referrals Referrals can be made by one s self or by anyone with permission from the individual. The process to be referred to The Stabler Centre is managed by the LHIN. Please call us or ask your LHIN Case Manager for assistance. Donating online is easy... Use the link below to safely make a secure online contribution. Electronic tax receipts are available. Visit hospiceniagara.ca/donations/donate.php For inquiries about this enewsletter, email us at news@hospiceniagara.ca. If you no longer wish to receive this enewsletter, add unsubscribe in the subject line. Serving Families in Niagara Hospice Niagara - The Stabler Centre 403 Ontario Street, Unit 2 St. Catharines, ON L2N 1L5 F: 905-984-8242 Hospice Niagara - Welland Office 555 Prince Charles Drive Welland, ON L3C 6B5 F: 905-735-1703 905-984-8766 I info@hospiceniagara.ca hospiceniagara.ca Charitable Registration # 899716294RR0001 We rely on donations to provide our programs and services.