I’m sure you’ve heard the expression that ‘it takes a community to raise a child.’ Well it takes a community to do many things – and this includes raising enough funds to build a Hospice Care Centre. Last week on a gray, rainy day, the sun came out long enough for the celebration of special milestone event for Hospice Peterborough.
Close to 150 Hospice Peterborough volunteers, staff and community supporters gathered in the late morning of November 1st for a ground breaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of construction for the Hospice Peterborough Care Centre. Local Peterborough firm Mortlock Construction Inc. was also named general contractor for the renovation of an existing Victorian home and for the building of a new 10 bed hospice Care Centre.
The event marks the culmination of community fundraising supported by hundreds of individuals and companies who understand the value of end-of-life care and support. Hospice Peterborough is in the final stages of its fundraising campaign.
“We still need your support for this last leg of the campaign,” said Linda Sunderland, Executive Director at the event, “Individuals can make a financial contribution through Hospice Peterborough or through our on-line Gift Registry to help furnish the new Care Centre. Today is a renewed call to action across the community to invest in our community’s future and to Bring It Home.”
If you or someone you know is dying or experiencing a life-threatening illness, then you probably also know that our health care system is in crisis. I was painfully reminded of this earlier this year when my mother was hospitalized for an extended period. After a few weeks into her hospital stay, she landed in a ward room with three other women in their later stage of life. Clearly this was the area of the hospital where they focused on ‘alternative level of care’ – the place where they support individuals who are waiting for a placement in a long-term care facility. One of the women was in her final days of life. She eventually passed away – in a room full of strangers without privacy. Our final days and the nature of palliative care don’t have to be this way.
The time is right to change the face of palliative care and Hospice Peterborough’s new Care Centre is a step in the right direction. It provides another choice for end of life care, as well as greater access to programs and services to support those facing end-of-life and those who love them. A hospice care centre provides a different kind of care around-the-clock, provided by a multidisciplinary team of staff members and volunteers, in a home-like haven. It is a place where the focus is on compassionate care, not cure; a place as equally comforting for clients, as it is for their family members.
While I was not able to be physically present for this latest milestone celebration hosted by Hospice Peterborough, I have followed their progress every step of the way and stay connected as a member of the organization’s Quality Committee. The Mane Intent was able to contribute $400 to the campaign last year as part of our Open House and Art Sale. I am thrilled with the level of community support that is making this dream come true for so many who have worked tirelessly to move the project forward and are now seeing it take shape. I encourage you to learn more about hospice and the wonderful work that organizations like Hospice Peterborough are doing to celebrate the art of living, while providing necessary support to people on their end of life journey.
The Mane Intent offers health and wellness workshops and individual and team effectiveness coaching working in partnership with horses as natural coaches. These are memorable, one-of-a-kind experiences with our gentle herd presented in a beautiful natural setting. Programing includes Equine Relief for Grief and Equine Relief for Compassion Fatigue. Book your session today at www.themaneintent.ca
About the Author: Jennifer Garland is the Owner/Program Director of The Mane Intent, offering Health and Wellness Workshops and Individual and Team Effectiveness Coaching. Jennifer’s intent is to bring horses and humans together to explore new possibilities, getting you out of your comfort zone and giving clarity of voice to your leader within. She has over 25 years of leadership experience in communications, cause-related marketing and change management. As a strategist, facilitator and effectiveness coach, Jennifer has provided counsel and support to senior leaders from all walks of life to build productive relationships, facilitate learning and to embrace change. She is a ‘socialpreneur’ who values the art of living life fully with intent.
