At Cascade Hospice, our skilled palliative care support volunteers offer their time, presence, and empathy to those who are dying and to the families walking alongside them. They provide gentle companionship, a listening ear, and comfort during life’s most difficult moments.

Volunteers are also essential to our grief and bereavement support programs, caregiver support, and Relaxation Program — offering emotional support, wellness practices, and meaningful connection to those navigating loss or caregiving.

We also honour the dedicated volunteers at Thrifty Boutique, our vibrant social enterprise. They sort donations, assist customers, create beautiful displays, and help foster a welcoming shopping experience. Revenue from Thrifty Boutique partially funds all of Chilliwack Hospice Society’s programs and services, helping ensure we can continue to provide compassionate care for all who need it.

All our programs are offered free of cost to adults, youth, and children in Chilliwack, Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs, and neighbouring Indigenous communities. We accept new volunteer applications year-round at www.chilliwackhospice.org/volunteer. Volunteers supporting patients and clients complete our 35-hour Basic Hospice Training course.

To every volunteer: your kindness brings light, your care brings comfort, and your presence changes lives. Thank you for making waves where they matter most.

Chilliwack Hospice Society is a community-based organization that helps individuals and families dealing with dying and death through support, education, and programs that promote wellness and healthy grieving.

Organized by Laurie McNaught, Community Outreach and Education Manager, facilitators from the community and within Chilliwack Hospice Society, presented a wide variety of learning opportunities for guests, beginning with gentle chair yoga by Emmy Kerr at the start of the morning. Amanda St. Amour of Wild Birds Unlimited gave an informative talk in the Mountain View Wellness Room, while downstairs in the Serenity Garden Room author Karen Skillings read selections from her book of poetry Love, Loss, and New Life.

Executive Director Sue Knott led a group of women through the process of pour painting in a workshop aptly titled ‘Pour Out Your Feelings’. A popular activity for both adults and children who visit Chilliwack Hospice Society, pour painting is a beautiful medium for exploring grief through creative expression.

Lucy Fraser, Director of Programs, taught participants about what she has learned about EFT tapping and its benefits for those stricken with anxiety and stress, a common experience for those grieving the death of a loved one. Combined with online videos, the presentation gave those present a moment to just breathe and experience relief brought about by EFT tapping.

Throughout the day, Relaxation Program leads Marjorie Perzow, Eileen Trojanoski, and Dale Seguin provided relaxation treatments through Healing Touch for those who wished to experience healing through therapeutic touch. This program is offered regularly at Chilliwack Hospice Society, booked in advance through the office.

The day’s events culminated in an interactive presentation on grief and family dynamics facilitated by Franceska Hills, Child and Youth Program Manager, and Jennifer Dacre, Palliative and Bereavement Services Manager in which adults and youth learned how to navigate difficult conversations when a family member is dying or has died.

Visitors to Chilliwack Hospice Society, some of whom were experiencing the very recent death of a loved one, remarked on Health and Wellness Day being their first time to enter the office and learn about the various programs and services available. Overall, the second annual event proved to be an important time for learning and healing along many Chilliwack residents’ grief journey.

Chilliwack Hospice Society Health and Wellness Day was generously supported by Chilliwack Hospice Society Thrifty Boutique and many other local businesses including, Beautique Beauty Lounge, Chilliwack River Valley Honey, Cookies Grill, Klassen Farms, Mighty Moose Ice Cream, SinAmen Bun Co., Smits & Co.w Farm Cheese, and Wild Birds Unlimited.

Throughout the year Chilliwack Hospice Society hosts a variety of in-person and virtual educational workshops and presentations for the community. Topics may include advance care planning, financial and legal matters, self-care, and wellness. For more information, contact Laurie McNaught, Community Outreach & Education Manager, at (604) 795-4660 or visit https://www.chilliwackhospice.org/education/education-workshops/