About Desmond Devnich

Desmond Devnich, AA, MCPRS, is a cause-driven professional with extensive experience in marketing, communications, event planning, and community engagement. As director of marketing and communications for Chilliwack Hospice Society and Thrifty Boutique, his work advances the organization's mission by raising awareness of grief support programs, palliative care support services, educational opportunities, and fundraising initiatives; ensuring the community knows where to turn for support when navigating death, dying, grief, and loss.

Chilliwack Hospice Society volunteer Vince Merritt honoured with Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers

Vince Merritt (left) speaks to audience while Thrifty Boutique manager Sandy Parker looks on. Chilliwack Hospice Society volunteer Vince Merritt received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers (SMV), awarded by the Governor General of Canada, on Wednesday, April 5 at the Thrifty Boutique. Mayor Ken Popove and Councillor Bud Mercer were present for the [...]

Chilliwack Hospice Society volunteer Vince Merritt honoured with Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers2025-01-11T16:54:12-07:00

Chilliwack Hospice Society previews winter grief support programming

Chilliwack Hospice Society is pleased to release its calendar of winter programs for the grieving community to participate in, including some modalities of grief support new to the Society’s offerings and many returning programs from previous years. A safe, supportive space for displaced Ukrainians who now call Chilliwack home has been created at Chilliwack Hospice [...]

Chilliwack Hospice Society previews winter grief support programming2025-01-11T16:54:12-07:00

Franceska Hills of Chilliwack Hospice Society named ‘local legend’ by Murray Mazda

Chris Emery (left), General Manager at Murray Mazda; Franceska Hills; Sue Knott (right), Executive Director of Chilliwack Hospice Society In 2021, Mazda’s Local Legends campaign helped rebuild Canadian small businesses across the country that were impacted by COVID. This year, they have chosen to shine a spotlight on people who go the extra [...]

Franceska Hills of Chilliwack Hospice Society named ‘local legend’ by Murray Mazda2025-01-11T16:54:12-07:00

Chilliwack Hospice Society volunteers bring comfort to Cascade Hospice residents

Earlier this Fall, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, a new cohort of potential volunteers completed their Basic Hospice Training in preparation for service to Chilliwack Hospice Society at Cascade Hospice Residence and with clients in the community. Entryway to Cascade Hospice Residence where Chilliwack Hospice Society provide free bereavement and [...]

Chilliwack Hospice Society volunteers bring comfort to Cascade Hospice residents2025-01-11T16:54:12-07:00

Chilliwack Hospice Society promotes planning personal health care decisions in advance

Recognizing that life happens to all of us, Chilliwack Hospice Society is offering free advance care planning workshops to promote conversations about your wishes and values for your future health care. According to the BC Centre for Palliative Care, over three quarters of British Columbians agree that it’s important to talk about what matters most [...]

Chilliwack Hospice Society promotes planning personal health care decisions in advance2025-01-11T16:54:12-07:00

Chilliwack Hospice Society walking group takes steps toward comfort and healing

During a time when seeing fewer faces in wider spaces was very important, participants of the Chilliwack Hospice Society Supportive Walking Group have continued steadily through the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. While a supportive walking group had been held at Townsend Park when the Society was in downtown Chilliwack in years past, the [...]

Chilliwack Hospice Society walking group takes steps toward comfort and healing2025-01-11T16:54:12-07:00

Chilliwack Hospice Society connects horses and bereaved children toward a healing outcome

Chilliwack Hospice Society partners with Freedom Reins Equine Connections to provide therapeutic sessions for bereaved children and youth in the local community Throughout the year as part of our children’s and youth programming at Chilliwack Hospice Society, we partner with Freedom Reins Equine Connections to facilitate therapeutic interactions between horses and some of our [...]

Chilliwack Hospice Society connects horses and bereaved children toward a healing outcome2025-01-11T16:54:13-07:00

Chilliwack Hospice Society teaches grief literacy to local high school students through peer support training

Over six sessions this Fall, 12 high school students explored the importance of peer support in the grieving process through lectures, demonstrations, and group discussions at Chilliwack Hospice Society. Facilitated by Laurie McNaught, Community Outreach and Education Manager, and Franny Hills, Child and Youth Programs Manager, students were led through an introduction to grief and [...]

Chilliwack Hospice Society teaches grief literacy to local high school students through peer support training2025-01-11T16:54:34-07:00

Meeting students where they’re at in their time of grief

Chilliwack Hospice Society expands child and youth program to include in-school support Chilliwack Hospice Society child and youth programs manager Franceska “Franny” Hills began visiting students at Vedder Middle School last Spring to talk about their experiences with the death of a caregiver and their unique grieving process. Complementing existing supports in the school system, [...]

Meeting students where they’re at in their time of grief2025-01-11T16:54:34-07:00
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