VOLUNTEERS
In 1986 High Peaks Hospice
and Palliative Care was conceived by volunteers with a vision and
established as a volunteer organization. Since 1988 the organization
has continued to grow with a dedicated team of paid professional
staff – but the heart and soul of High Peaks Hospice and Palliative
Care continues to be its extraordinary cadre of volunteers.
Their generosity in donating their time, energy, ideas and expertise
is instrumental in enabling High Peaks Hospice and Palliative Care
to achieve its mission and goals. Having a well trained and dedicated
group of volunteers helps keep the enthusiasm in the organization
up and the costs down.
Who Can Be a Volunteer?
ANYONE! All
that is needed is a friendly smile, listening ear, a hand to assist,
and the willingness to be a ready helper. These are the trademarks
of a Hospice Volunteer. They are the people who volunteer
their time to help others.
Please Note: Must be over 18 to be a patient/family volunteer.
How Do You
Become a High Peaks Hospice and Palliative Care Volunteer?
Each office has a Coordinator
of Volunteers whose responsibilities include the recruitment, training,
overseeing and mentoring of volunteers. A Hospice volunteer will
complete an intensive training program where he/she will learn that
they are an integral part of the hospice team.
What are the various
services that High Peaks Hospice and Palliative Care Volunteers
provide?
Home Care
– Home care volunteers are trained to work
exclusively with patients and their families providing friendship,
compassion, respite services, and listening skills. Caregivers
are given emotional support and the occasional opportunity to do
errands or just have some free time for themselves. All patient
and family information is handled with the strictest confidence.
Bereavement
– Bereavement Volunteers keep in contact
with families for 13 months after the death of a loved one.
They phone families on a monthly/weekly basis as well as make home
visits as needed.
Office & Administration
– Office volunteers provide critical administrative
support in each office. Some serve as receptionists – answering
the telephones and helping the Office Manager with general office
duties. Others provide support for the Business Manager and
Patient Care Coordinator.
Fundraising &
Marketing - Because much of
the yearly income budget must be met from fundraising efforts the
organization relies on many volunteers to help with marketing and
fundraising. Some spend countless hours stuffing and labeling
mailings for the appeals. Others participate in organizing
the many fundraising events each year while others participate in
the actual event.
Ambassadors
- The best marketing tool that
we have is our volunteers – whether they are trained volunteers
or family members of patients. These individuals go
into the community and share their experiences and enthusiasm for
High Peaks Hospice with others and provide the best publicity possible.
Board of Directors
- The Board of Directors is a hands on, dedicated
group of individuals who work tirelessly to help make High Peaks
Hospice the professional and compassionate organization that it
is.
If
you or anyone you know would like to become part of the High Peaks
Hospice and Palliative Care
team please contact the office nearest you
today!
Port
Henry
518-546-9850
Saranac
Lake
518-891-0606
