-Please visit our website for more information about our programs and services-
A message from our Executive Director
It was my distinct pleasure to lead our Hospice team through 2023.
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​Our staff team, dedicated volunteers and remarkable community have all worked hard this year to provide exemplary end-of-life care. The incredible staff team find ways everyday to help those in our care navigate a difficult part of life with grace and compassion. Demand for grief and bereavement support continued to be high- our skilled volunteers were present and listened. The community supported our in-person fundraising events. Third party events were created and executed to promote our organization and raise much-needed funds.
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In 2024, we embark on a capital expansion project to house our community programs- we look forward to the increased capacity this will provide. We will keep you posted!
Taking action in the service of others has been a foundational princple for our team this year. This report summarizes and celebrates the accomplishments of Hospice Huntsville in 2023. We look towards 2024 with optimism and gratitude.
Rebecca Ellerson
A message from our Board President
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support of Hospice Huntsville.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Staff and all volunteers, we appreciate your support as we have provided end of life care at Algonquin Grace Hospice Residence and in our surrounding communities with our Grief Support and Visiting Volunteer programs.
I am amazed at the continued partnership of all of our communities for Hospice Huntsville! We would not have been able to accomplish this without the dedication of so many people committed to helping us provide the best quality end of life care while supporting the needs of their caregivers and family members.
Thank you Rebecca, Administrative team, Vanessa and Clinical team who continue to work tirelessly to maintain a safe environment for residents and their families.
Year three of our Strategic Plan continued to guide the Board of Directors and leadership team as we continue to plan for sustainability of funding and future growth of Hospice Huntsville.
We are looking forward to what 2024 has in store for us, as an organization and the growth of Hospice Huntsville at our present site and in the community.
Thank you for "Sharing the Journey" with us and supporting Hospice Huntsville,
Gordon Schakelaar
STRATEGIC PLAN 2024-2027
The Board of Directors has reimagined these five pillars to support all the work of the organization for the coming three year term. Hospice Huntsville strives to provide leadership in the provision of palliative and end-of-life care. Everything we do is high-quality, person-centred and imbued with compassion.
Financial Wellness
Give Simple Options to Donate
Give A Voice to Funding Advocacy
Give Results
Give Thanks
Give Financial Oversight
communication
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Connect our Team
Connect with our Community
Connect our Families
Connect using Technology
Programs and services
We Lead
We Partner
We Listen
We Include
We Act
Team Culture
High Quality People
High Quality Performance
High Quality Work Environment
integration
Integrated in our Community
Integrated in our Health Care System
Integrated in our Geography
TESTIMONIALS
'Thank you so much for taking such good care of my mom. Your love, support and compassion was wonderful throughout her 8 weeks here. You are all so special and make a beautiful difference in the lives of those you touch. Also thanks for the great opportunity to stay at the hospice. It was the most full week I had with my mom 24/7. I have treasured memories of that week.'
'Algonquin Grace Hospice was a warm home as our Aunt spent her last days. The staff was so attentive and caring to her needs allowing her peace to the very end.'
Caring for our Community
Hospice huntsville provides high quality, person-centred care at the end of life
Hospice Residence
Visiting
Hospice
Services
Grief +
Bereavement Services
Visiting Hospice Services
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Trained volunteers offer support to individuals and their support networks in the setting of their choice
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Supports can be provided in-person with phone or virtual supports also available
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In-person volunteers support residents at Algonquin Grace and their families
Grief+ bereavement programs
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Trained volunteers offer grief and bereavement peer supports in group and one-to-one settings
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Available to everyone in the community as well as those who access the hospice residence
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Support provided for any type of loss
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Programs tailored to children, youth and adults
TESTIMONIALS
I am beyond thankful for this experience. It has helped me more than words can describe.
I would highly recommend this program to anyone who has lost a loved one.
I feel stronger, validated and able to continue my grief journey.
-Participants in the Grief and Bereavement Group Service
40%
of operating costs are funded by
The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care
The remaining
60%
must be secured through donations and fundraising efforts
Celebrating our Team
Vanessa Vandersluis
-clinical program manager-
Completed the Canadian Nurses Association certification in Palliative Care Nursing CHPCN(C)
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Kathy Krynicki
-Visiting Volunteer-
Recipient of June Callwood Award 2024
Braedi Waymouth
-Registered Nurse-
Completed Comprehensive Advanced Palliative Care Education (CAPCE) course
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Bryan Smith
-REgistered Nurse-
Completed Fundamentals of Palliative Care and Learning Essential Approaches of Palliative Care (LEAP) certifications
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Revenue Breakdown 2023
LHIN FUNDING- HOSPICE RECEIVED SOME ONE-TIME FUNDING IN SUPPORT OF COVID-19 RELATED FUNDRAiSING CHALLENGES
Sustainable giving - Monthly or Annual gifts
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Planned Giving - bequests or other death benefits
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Signature events - events hosted and run by Hospice Huntsville
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Partner Events - Events Hosted by an external organization and supported by Hospice
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Fundraising - Includes events hosted by third party individuals or groups to benefit hospice huntsville
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$0.83 of each dollar raised goes toward direct care costs- your donations allow our programs and services to operate at no cost to recipents
Hike for Hospice
The 2023 Hike for Hospice was a day to come together and celebrate the lives of those we love. More than 150 hikers travelled our short and long courses and enjoyed musical entertainment along the way. Over $70,000 was raised by individuals, groups and teams to support Hospice operations. Thank you to all who supported our Hike!
Hospice Harvest Fest
2023
At the second annual Hospice Harvest Fest, the community gathered at Canvas Brewing Co. for a night of music, a silent auction and live art challenge. Four incredible artists from the Muskoka community painted live and auctioned off their unique pieces to raise funds for Hospice.
Catering was provided by Spencer' Culinary Creations and Catering and music provided by the Tobin Spring and Friends. Attendees enjoyed a cork pull wine draw and bidding on several live auction packages. The event was a great success raising $30,000 in support of Hospice Huntsville. We look forward to this event returning in 2024!
THIRD PARTY EVENTS
Thank you to Hunter's Bay Radio for hosting our Radiothon in 2023 $51,550 raised!
SANDHILL NURSERY
FALL FESTIVAL 2023
The team at Sandhill Nursery put together an incredible fall event with the help of Hospice volunteers over 5 weeks last fall. Donations were collected from event attendees totalling more than $72,000! The efforts of the community were able to support more than a full month of care at Algonquin Grace hospice. Thank you to all who participated and Sandhill for hosting this incredible community event!
VOLUNTEERING AT HOSPICE
VOLUNTEERING AT HOSPICE
-Volunteers are the Heart of Hospice-
Volunteers support every program and service that is offered at Hospice Huntsville- these caring individuals provide grief support, manage the reception desk, provide support as visiting volunteers, support fundraising and awareness events, bake treats for the residential hospice and everything in between!
Thank you for all you do for Hospice.
“What is the best thing about volunteering at Hospice Huntsville?”​
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Finding that you helped someone through the grief process
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The sense that what we do makes a difference in someone’s life at a challenging time
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The satisfaction from helping my community
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Wonderful like -minded people
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Excellent organization
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The ability to serve my community in a meaningful way
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The feeling of value
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The joy of being a volunteer visitor
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Personal satisfaction of adding value to people’s lives
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That a caregiver gets a well-earned break
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Hospice Huntsville is a place that matters
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It is rewarding and positive space
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Feeling welcomed, comfortable, and appreciated
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The reward of knowing our efforts make a difference
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The appreciation expressed by all for volunteering at HH
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By supporting this valuable community organization, I feel my life has purpose and I am able to contribute to others in some small way.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Provided in-patient care for 89 residents at Algonquin Grace
hearts for hospice program
raised $1,380 and supported local artists
residential volunteers provided 3117 hours of support and greeted 5527 visitors
grief and bereavement program service volumes increased significantly- one to one and group supports provided
over 100 hours of training provided to volunteers in 2023
27 third party events were held and raised a total of $47,940 in support of ongoing operations
TESTIMONIALS
'Now that (resident) journey is over, I am finding it difficult to find the right words to express my gratitude to each and every person involved with your marvelous facility. Your combined talents and dedication to the tasks at hand are something I have never experienced before and will not likely see again soon. The quality of life you provided (resident) during her stay with you was amazing and something I could not even have imagined in our days at home prior to joining your family. You are a wonderful family and I will never forget.'
'Your knowledgeable, compassionate & loving care of Mom, myself and my sister will never be forgotten.'
Thank you to our
event sponsors
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Signature Sponsor
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GOld sponsors
silver sponsors
Bronze sponsors
Our mission
To guide and provide consistent, comprehensive and compassionate end of life care that is readily accessible to individuals, families and caregivers in the setting of their choice throughout the greater Huntsville area.
Our vision
Everyone is entitled to live and die with dignity and comfort surrounded by loved ones, and assisted by compassionate and caring persons of their choice.
THANK YOU TO THE CHILDREN'S GRIEF FOUNDATION OF CANADA FOR AWARDING HOSPICE HUNTSVILLE A GRANT IN 2023 THAT PROVIDED CRITICAL FUNDS TO HELP US SUPPORT GRIEF EXPRESSION IN CHILDREN, YOUTH AND TEENS THROUGH THE BUTTERFLY PROJECT. THANK YOU TO OUR LOCAL LIBRARIES AND HIGH SCHOOL STAFF AND STUDENTS FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROJECT.
