Guest Article:Compassion Home is Moving Closer to Goal

PICTURED ABOVE: Compassion Home Committee Members At Springtime Campaign Kickoff

Guest Article:Compassion Home is Moving Closer to Goal
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A few months ago we shared our story of The Newaygo County Compassion Home for the Terminally Ill (aka The Compassion Home) beginning the first phase of fundraising here in Newaygo County.

​We publically got the word out that for 3 years now, a group of nurses and other health professionals, have been working diligently on this project to establish an End of Life Home right here in Newaygo County where people in the final stages of their lives can have care and...

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 ...comfort around the clock if they are, for any reason, unable to remain in the comfort of their own home.

Our Mission is to serve the people of Newaygo County by using our gifts of love, compassion, presence and nursing knowledge to bring peace to our “guests” at the end of life. We want to create a place of belonging. Through passionate grassroots efforts, community supported homes have been established offering a place of warmth and loving care for people who can no longer remain in their own  homes during the last months of life.

End of Life Homes are known informally and collectively by many different names: Comfort Care Homes, Homes for the Dying, and Social Model Hospice Homes. Varying in size, appearance, and internal policies, and located in multiple states across the country, they all share a common holistic foundation and philosophy. Additionally, each home reflects the spirit of the people and the culture of the community that came together to create and sustain it.

In an effort to better prepare us for managing all of the details of our Compassion Home, Mary Henry and Ann LaPres-Hindes, 2 nurses involved in the project, attended a National Social Hospice Network Conference in Lansing, on July 20-22. They came home filled with enthusiasm, ideas, and a stronger desire to see the Compassion Home become a reality! This “4th Annual” 3 day conference had 2 tracks: One for Open Homes and another for Developing Homes. There were roughly 100 attendees representing 15 states. 24 Open Homes and 20 Developing Homes were present and valuable networking opportunities took place. Every single attendee was eager and willing to share successes and failures in the hopes of helping to create an even greater Social Hospice Network.

Each established home works in collaboration with existing local Hospice agencies to offer quality care for their end of life guests. That is just how we plan to collaborate when our home opens.  Mary and Ann brought back a wealth of knowledge to share with the other organizers on such topics as: Nonprofits 101, Formulating Admission Policies and Procedures, How Is Care Funded, Staffing for the Best Care Anywhere, Collaborating with Medical Hospice Providers, Establishing a Development Plan, Top 10 Challenges of the First 3 Months, ABC’s of Volunteer Management and Mother Teresa: An Inspirational Figure in the Care of Dying People, and so much more!

There are 3 Open Homes in the Lansing area and we were able to tour and to speak with staff and families. Overall, the time we invested in Lansing will greatly benefit our community here in Newaygo County.

Our fundraising efforts continue and we have been getting the word out to local churches, the Rotary, and any organization that desires to hear our story and join our mission. We are actively looking for a home which we believe in God’s time will become available. Our focus for the moment is fundraising and developing a large group of volunteers who have the heart and passion that our core members do. We plan to make a visible presence in our community and are hoping to gain the support and trust of its people. For more information email: [email protected]

Information is also available online on Facebook

Financial contributions can be made via email or through https://www.gofundme.com/Compassion-Home or you may mail a check to NC Compassion Home, 4012 S. Sherman Ave, Fremont MI 49412.
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Compassion Home Committee