Celebrations of Gratitude |
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Celia’s House Spring Open House in Appreciation
of our Amazing Staff and Volunteers
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Christina and Bre, treasured three-year nursing assistants
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Jacquline, Eleanor and HAT! Spring bonnets are back. |
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Volunteer Appreciation Party at The HUB |
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Rebecca and Barbara, longtime volunteers |
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Carlin and Emilio bring new energy to The HUB |
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A beautiful spread at
The HUB
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What is in the Heart
Cheryl French
Communications Committee Volunteer
Resident support volunteers at Celia’s House perform an important support service for our
residents. They provide companionship, help serve meals and sit at the bedside listening.
Sometimes they might help feed a resident, massage their feet, or simply hold their hand.
As a long-time support volunteer, when Su Rouzie visits a resident, she said she never knows what emotional state they may be in on that particular day. “It changes moment to moment, much more so week to week.” To prepare herself, Su pauses outside the door of the room, takes a breath and hopes that she may be useful. A poignant, visceral memory from last September still remains with her as if it were yesterday:
“I was talking with Jimmy, asking him what was on his mind that day. He said he was afraid of dying and that he was very anxious about it and couldn’t relax. I knew from our previous conversations that his brother Thomas, with whom he was very close, had died the previous year. I decided to take a chance and asked, ‘How do you think Thomas is now’? Jimmy paused, reflected, and responded, ‘He is good'. I asked How do you know that? Jimmy: it’s in my heart, I know everyone I loved is OK. He laid his hand over his heart. ‘Yes, I feel it here.’
“The peace in the room after that was palpable. I was so grateful for Jimmy. He was a gentle man, with a soulful spirit.”
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From the Executive Director
Dwight Wilson
A Blossoming of Outreach
During their 2022 retreat, the Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice Board of Directors placed priority on community outreach as a very important part of our mission. With this goal in mind, we are committed to a number of specific activities: to offer one OLLI course this year (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at SOU); to heighten awareness of Celia’s House in the medical community; to increase the number of face-to face visits with prospective families and their loved ones; and to develop an outreach strategy to support end-of-life education.
Moving Ahead
With this goal in mind, I am pleased to announce that our OLLI course attracted 17 students and we were blessed with an excellent faculty of seven presenters. Celia’s House is now open to tours and I encourage you to contact us for a tour for yourself or anyone you know.
We reached out to community health centers and senior centers such as Mountain Meadows to offer end-of-life education. We made a presentation to the La Clinica Patient Resource Team, published an article in the La Clinica provider newsletter, and led tours of Celia’s House to individuals throughout Jackson and Josephine Counties. Additionally, we gave a presentation to the Grants Pass Rotary, and with the help of OHSU nursing students, we are developing plans to reach out to the broader medical community.
Our presentations touch on end-of-life education and planning, hospice care, and they introduce our CARE FUND, a program that will provide financial resources to those who are unable to cover the full costs of care at Celia’s House. No one will be turned away as long as we have a room available.
If you know of an organization, religious institution, or special interest group that might want to learn more or benefit from end-of-life planning and education, please call.
I can always be reached at (650) 743-7997.
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Celia's House Care Fund Supports
our Founders' Dream
Our Goal: No one will be turned away as long as we have a room available.
The founders of Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice shared a dream to bring comfort care to all those at the end of their lives, regardless of the ability to pay. This dream for Celia's House in Holmes Park ensures we will be open to people of all cultures and identities.
Everyone deserves to die with dignity, and receive care that treats the sensitivities and needs of the whole person. Our caregivers focus on addressing what is important to each resident with respect, kindness, and attentiveness.
Now, over half of the rooms at Celia's House are financially subsidized, so our entire community has access to quality end-of-life care. Your contribution is critical to making sure we can financially assist those without the economic means to move to Celia's House.
Beginning now through July 31, 2022, our goal is to raise $200,000 for the CARE FUND. This account directly supports residents who don't have the financial resources to cover the cost of care.
An anonymous Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice board member is kicking us off with a significant donation earmarked as a match challenge. This means we will be able to double the value of each gift we receive (up to $25,000 in new contributions through July 31, 2022.) If you are considering a donation, this would be a good time to increase its impact.
Please contact me at (907) 713-7814, and I'll answer any questions you may have.
Thank you for always being there for our residents.
With gratitude,
Lily Herwald
Development Director
To make an online donation:
To send a check:
Celia’s House in Holmes Park, 217 S. Modoc Ave., Medford, Or 97504
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The Meaningful Last Miles
Alexandria Castelo,
Development & Communication Coordinator
This spring Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice has the opportunity to receive donations in a new and community-centered way.
A team of eight Southern Oregon runners will be participating in the 2022 Newport Oregon Marathon and Half Marathon on Saturday, June 4. Each of these individuals has compassionately decided to turn their fitness milestones into an avenue to raise money for Celia’s House in Holmes Park.
Their efforts are directly supporting Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice and our mission to make tender, personalized end-of-life care accessible to all.
Shawn Snyder, lead Pastor at Medford’s Living Hope Church, heard of the extraordinary work being done at Celia’s House, and expressed how moved he was to support something meaningful in conjunction with running his first full marathon:
“I want to raise awareness around Celia’s House and the work Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice is doing because I know from my experiences talking with people locally, there are not a lot of conversations around end-of-life care—let alone around the services and inclusivity offered at Celia’s House. This run is just one small way we can spread the word and make those miles count not just for ourselves, but for a greater cause.”
You can make your donations through our website at sofriendsofhospice.org.
May compassionate and comfortable end-of-life care continually be made available for every individual, and may peace be experienced in the meaningful last miles.
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1618 Ashland Street, Ashland, OR
Store Hours:
Monday – Sunday, 10:30am – 5:00pm
(541) 488-7805
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- Unfortunately, the spring fashion show has been cancelled. We will be issuing refunds to those who have purchased tickets.
- The HUB accepts donations Tuesday - Saturday 10:30am - 4:30pm
- Interested in volunteering at The HUB? Contact us (541) 488-7805
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We are Here to Help. Please Give Us a Call
Caregiving at the end-of-life can be hard. For questions or support regarding admissions, please call (650) 743-7997.
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For General Information - Call Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice Administrative Offices:
(541) 500-8911
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Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice & Celia's House
Mailing Address: 217 S. Modoc Ave., Medford, OR 97504
Check Out Our YouTube Video Tour:
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