AT OUR CLUB March 29, 2022: Speaker Cherie Kok, Exec. Director, Hospice Northwest

What is Hospice Northwest?  
  • Hospice Northwest is a Hospice Without Walls: there is no one location but rather, volunteers visit and provide care in homes, LTC homes and even shelters
  • It is a stand-alone organization in Thunder Bay, with regional partners in Nipigon, Terrace Bay, Manitouwadge and Geraldton
  • It is not part of St Joseph's Care Group Hospice per se
  • Hospice Northwest volunteers provide a wide palette of support in palliative care, grief and bereavement, caregiver support and education events and workshops like the excellent "Die-alogues"
  • The homeless and vulnerably-housed receive care.
  • Newer programs are "HUUG" (Help Us Understand Grief) for children coping with loss and Indigenous-led programs
  • One client likened it to "Massage therapy for the heart"
Their website provides greater detail:  https://www.hospicenorthwest.ca/
 
 
The HUUG program is only just being launched locally.  It has been successful in southern Ontario.  An opening workshop will be held on Saturday June 11th.

Cherie's presentation was clear and heartfelt and was followed by a Q&A.  New volunteers at Hospice Northwest are always welcome and training is provided.
 
Cherie became the Executive Director in 2018.  She has a BA in Psychology and a MA in Philanthropy and Development.  She brings experience from non-profit and for-profit sectors as a former Canadian Red Cross District Branch Manager and 10 years with Chartwell Retirement Residences where she worked in recreation, marketing and management. She is compassionate and is an outstanding strategic leader.  Hospice Northwest's services and capacity have grown significantly over her term.

Cherie Kok was introduced and thanked by Shelley Crawford.