Hospice Peterborough

New Year’s is often a time for reflection on the past year of chaos and a determination that this year will be different. The realization that this determination hasn’t been all that effective in keeping the chaos at bay brings a new sense of realism into the thoughts for 2020. Perhaps it is the shocking reality that the calendar has more bookings of medical appointments than social ones that allows the thoughts to head in the direction of life and death. More influential however, is that in my day to day work at Hospice I am confronted with life and death issues. John Lennon said, “life is what happens when you are busy making other plans”, and we rarely are prepared for the questions of life and death that we will need to face at some point. At the risk of being accused of morbidity, let me introduce some interesting family discussion at the beginning of this year that may cause some interesting and provocative thinking around this topic.

http://www.engagewithgrace.org/ is a website dedicated to engaging society in some of the most significant discussion we can have. The members are commitment to asking 5 questions around end of life issues that need to be asked and answered by family members. Here they are. Take the time to explore with your family. It may be some of the most important New Year discussion you will have.

1. On a scale of 1 to 5, where do you fall on this continuum?

2. If there were a choice, would you prefer to die at home, or in a hospital?

3. Could a loved one correctly describe how you would like to be treated in the case of a terminal illness?

4. Is there someone you trust whom you’ve appointed to advocate on your behalf when the time is near?

5. Have you completed any of the following: written a living will, appointed a healthcare power of attorney, or completed an advanced directive?

Our discomfort with talking around end of life issues only makes this time more difficult when it comes. What if braving this conversation now allows us to understand one another’s wishes so that we can be sure that decisions made later will be the best ones? Besides we may learn things about one another in the discussion.

This Request for Proposals is for a Consultant to provide advice on the strategic direction of our organization over the next three years (2020/21-2023/24).
This plan will build upon Hospice Peterborough`s past strategic plans covering the years 2011-2014 to 2015-2018. For more information please see outline below.

Request for Proposal – Strategic Plan Consultant  (Closes at 4pm on October 31, 2019)

Are you interested in working directly with Hospice clients and their families?

Hospice Peterborough is offering introductory orientation sessions in September to learn more about this unique opportunity to volunteer. Call to register to attend on of these sessions on Thursday, September 5^th, Tuesday, September 10^th or Saturday, September 14^th. Following an interview process, you may then be invited to join the hospice volunteer training which will begin in October for 10 weeks (3 hours weekly in the afternoon) or alternate Saturday’s for full days.

The 30-hour series is designed for people interested in providing support for individuals living with life-threatening illness. The course explores issues related to death and dying, support for people who are grieving, and care for the caregiver. This course will introduce you to the concepts of hospice care and prepare you for supporting individuals following the guidelines of Hospice’s philosophy of care.

Please call to register for one of the sessions or for more information at 705-742-4042 or cmillington@hospicepeterborough.org.

Peterborough – Hospice Peterborough is once again honoured to be nominated for the prestigious Chamber of Commerce Excellence Awards, this time in the category of Commercial Development and Renovation.

Having been bestowed with the 2018 Not-for-Profit Excellence Award last year, Hospice Peterborough was surprised and delighted to be nominated again in 2019.

“The experience of being nominated and chosen was a highlight for our organization last year and a joyous acknowledgment of many, many years of hard work and perseverance. The Chamber of Commerce awards generate not only community recognition but appreciation for the work of hospice, it is affirming and humbling,” said Shelley Barrie, Hospice Peterborough, Board Chair.

To be acknowledged in this category for the new Hospice Peterborough home is especially meaningful and an opportunity to further be grateful to the community.

Having newly opened in March of this year, the building is the result of 15 years of dreaming, planning and action. The vision of enhancing hospice service to include 24/7 end of life care was realized for individuals and families when admissions began on April 9^th, this care helps to make every moment matter.

The house is located at 325 London Street. It is truly a community achievement that was only possible through the generosity of donors, businesses, government, volunteers, staff and supporters. Design and construction partners, Lett Architect and Mortlock Construction deserve recognition for designing and building this wonderful facility and for helping to keep the dream alive through incredible and unimaginable challenges.

The home like setting was designed to be a safe place where good and lasting memories continue to be made for our clients, their family members, and for staff and volunteers. Hospice Peterborough’s programs and services are offered free of charge to residents of all ages living within the City and County of Peterborough.

The tremendous promotion Hospice Peterborough received last year, through the Chamber of Commerce awards, the Peterborough Examiner, social media, and event video, highlighted 30 years of serving Peterborough City and County.

Hospice Peterborough is proud to share this esteemed nomination with supporters and the entire community.

Photo attached.

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For further information contact

Alison Casey, Manager of Development

P: 705-742-4042 ext. 228

acasey@hospicepeterborough.org

Shelley Barrie, Chair of the Board of Hospice Peterborough, is pleased to announce the appointment of Hajni Hos as the new Executive Director of Hospice Peterborough. She will be replacing Linda Sunderland who is retiring after 26 years of dedicated service with Hospice.

Ms. Hos brings a wealth of organizational experience having served Peterborough’s New Canadians Centre as Executive Director for the past 9 years. During that time she has lead the organization through significant change and growth as it grew from a staff of 12 to 27 employees. Mrs. Barrie noted, “the similarity in size and structure of both organizations makes this an excellent fit for Ms. Hos and we are delighted to welcome her as our new Executive Director.”

A former lawyer from Budapest, Hungary, Ms. Hos moved to the area in 2008 to begin her work with the New Canadians Centre as an Employment Counsellor. This lead to her becoming the Executive Director in 2011. Ms. Hos has experience in Strategic Planning and Governance, Operational Programs and Services, Community Relations as well as Finance and Fundraising. She has completed the Not for Profit Governance Program from the Institute of Corporate Directors and the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. Her awards include the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce “4 Under 40” Business Excellence Award, the Paul Harris Fellowship from the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha and the Peterborough-Kawartha Women’s Leadership Award.

Ms. Hos indicated her excitement in being able to lead the organization in this new phase; making a new building a new home, accomplishing Hospice Palliative Care Ontario Accreditation, creating a new organizational Strategic Plan, supporting a wonderful and truly committed staff and volunteer team and establishing a structure that serves the goals of this ever expanding organization. When asked about her new role, Ms Hos said, “I have been admiring the amazing work of Hospice Peterborough in our community for years, that is: helping people and their families living with life threatening illness and grief. It took me years to realize that Hospice is not about death. It is about the quality of life before it, a graceful closure, helping us face the unfaceable, and helping those who are left behind to honour their loved ones by allowing themselves to heal and live a full life. I feel that supporting members of our community in such a difficult time of their lives is a privilege and I feel compelled to take part in this amazing mission to the best of my ability, skills and heart.”

In her spare time, Ms. Hos enjoys working on the family farm with her husband and two children. She plays piano and sings in various choirs.

Ms. Hos will commence her duties on August 26, 2019.