If you ask anyone who has volunteered at Hospice Alliance, they are likely to share with you their story…their story of how they came to volunteer with us (oftentimes after a personal experience with a loved one in our care), their story of a an experience with a patient (often involving a simple pleasure such as Lemon Meringue Pie) or their story of the volunteer camaraderie and friendships they’ve made (such as the group of ladies known as “The Coffee Mates”).
Hospice Alliance has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. Some include making meals and sitting with patients in our Hospice House, companionship visits with patients in nursing facilities, sitting with a patient in their home so a family member can leave for an errand, or assisting with projects in our business office. We also have a group of vigil volunteers who sit with patients at end-of-life, fulfilling our mission that no one dies alone.
When chatting with our Volunteer Manager for more information about volunteer training, it is likely you’ll hear, “Whatever you like to do, we have a place for you!”
Explore these pages to learn more about opportunities, experiences and how you, too, can share your gift of time to help Hospice Alliance fulfill its mission and enrich the lives of patients and their families.
Why Volunteer?
At Hospice Alliance, our volunteers represent all ages and life experiences. Most contact us seeking to give back after a loved one was in our care. However, others come to us with a broad interest in supporting our mission.
Quite simply, a commitment to “giving time” is all we ask of our volunteers. Then, we work with each individual to determine the most fulfilling way to share time with Hospice Alliance. Some volunteers who are comfortable with and committed to patient care, choose to spend time with our patients and their families. Others, who aren’t quite as comfortable in that environment, or who have skills that can most benefit Hospice Alliance in other roles, such as administrative work or event planning, commit to that type of work. As a long-time volunteer coordinator once eloquently stated, “Whatever you like to do, we have a place for you.”
Volunteer Events
Each January, Hospice Alliance hosts an annual dinner to celebrate the contributions of our team. Staff members and volunteers are invited to attend this fun appreciation event together.
Hospice Alliance hosts an annual volunteer social each April during National Volunteer Appreciation Week. This event celebrates and thanks the volunteers who have supported our mission with their time in the prior 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a Volunteer?
All volunteers complete 9 hours of educational, online training, followed by an orientation session with the volunteer coordinator. The training features education on the Hospice Philosophy of Care, the History of Hospice Alliance and topics such as death and dying, grieving and family dynamics. All Hospice Alliance Volunteers are required to go through training. This education often allows volunteers to discover how they would like to spend time with us and feel comfortable and confident in their roles.
What type of commitment does volunteering involve?
To volunteer for Hospice Alliance, volunteers must complete 9 hours of educational, online training. After training, each volunteer meets with the Volunteer Manager to determine the best and most comfortable fit.
Some volunteers prefer a set schedule, committing to specific times and specific days of the week. Others prefer to be called “as needed,” based on the role they find most fulfilling. “As needed” volunteers include vigil volunteers, who sit with patients at the end-of-life, so no patient passes away alone. Others prefer to share their knowledge at community outreach events or help to coordinate special events just once per year.
Many of our volunteers are snowbirds, taking a hiatus in the winter time, and many are busy with families so their availability fluctuates. If a person is interested in giving of his or her time, we will determine a way to make the experience rewarding.
What type of things will I be asked to do?
Hospice Alliance volunteers do all sorts of important tasks! Some volunteers who enjoy spending time with patients will schedule visits to simply keep the patient company and perhaps read a book aloud. Others, whose skills lay in office work and organizing assist in medical records or bereavement. Some who enjoy event planning or crafts work with the marketing department on major annual events or scheduling time for outreach at a local assisted living.
The opportunities to benefit our patients (either through direct contact or simply supporting the mission without patient interaction) are endless. We enjoy working closely with our volunteers to identify their special niche.