Sometimes Passion is Found in Unexpected Places

Are you passionate about your job?  I have recently encountered some very passionate people in a place you may never expect:  A hospice.

The people I’ve found with a passion are part of Angela Hospice staff  in Livonia, Michigan.  These individuals don’t believe they have merely a job, they have found their calling.  They do not just give of their time and talents but give of their hearts, as well.

I have not had the privilege of meeting everyone on the staff and can assume there may be some who work there because it pays to do so.  I have a feeling they are in the minority.  I think most who work there do so, because they want to help people lovingly make their final journey amidst the care and comfort of their family and loved ones.

As you may know, (and according to the Hospice Foundation of America), hospice is a concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to terminally ill patients and their families.   Its goal is to improve the quality of a patient’s last days by offering comfort and dignity.  Hospice care neither prolongs life nor hastens death.

Angela Hospice has provided this sort of care to Southeastern Michigan since 1977 and now provides assistance to more than 1,500 people per year.  With a free-standing facility with 16 beds, which is now being expanded to 48, most of its services are provided in the homes of patients so they may enjoy the benefit of being near loved ones in familiar surroundings.  Along with hospice services that are reimbursed by Medicare and private insurance, Angela offers grief programs for families and a prenatal hospice program, not covered by insurance, solely through donations.

I have never personally had any connection with hospice care before I started an eight-week training course in January, when I decided to become an Angela Hospice volunteer.  Although Angela already has 500 volunteers, the need continues to grow as the number of families for their care continues to grow. I don’t know what role I will be called to serve, respite care seems to be in the most need at this time.

In regards to volunteers, there are many passionate people among the volunteers in my training class.  Some of them are very familiar with Angela Hospice Care because they have experienced its services first hand when facing the death of a terminally ill parent, sibling, spouse, relative or friend.  They have been touched so positively that they are in the classroom so they can help others who are in need. This passion and commitment speaks volumes about who Angela Hospice is and its commitment to making our loved one’s final days as comfortable and dignified as possible.

Angela Hospice has numerous giving opportunities, including assisting with a campaign to pay for a New Care Center that will triple the number of patients served in their inpatient care center.  The cost of this project alone is $10 million.  Donors are needed with a passion for caring.  From what I’ve seen thus far, Angela Hospice’s mission is well worth you support.