Annual Report
Home Hospice Association
2022-2023
Contents
Leadership Message
Progress Report
HHA Chapters
Featured Blog
Moonlit Memory Walk
Team Acknowledgement
Donor & Partner Acknowledgements
Looking Ahead
Leadership Message
From Our Co-Founders
Home Hospice Association continues to amaze us. With each passing year, we witness growth and enthusiasm among those who embrace the message of compassionate care for one another.
In 2022-2023, we focused on planting seeds with intention. Emerging from the challenges of COVID-19, we reaffirmed our commitment to improving access to equitable end-of-life care. The pandemic severely impacted community-facing psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual end-of-life care, and rebuilding these services required significant effort. We mobilized new HHA Chapters and nearly doubled the number of national board participants. Our reach has expanded from Ottawa in the east to the southwestern corridor of Windsor, with emerging interest from communities across Canada, including Calgary and the eastern provinces.
The need for dedicated, compassionate care for the dying is immense. Home Hospice Association strives to be a leader in the education and delivery of hospice care that transcends the traditional "building-based" model, caring for people wherever they call home. Imagine the impact if the resources typically allocated to constructing physical hospices were redirected to providing home-based care. We could vastly expand our circle of care, ensuring that everyone,anywhere, has access to the support they need.
As we begin a new fiscal year on September 1st, we reflect on our journey. Founded on Labour Day, HHA has grown from a vision to a reality that continues to evolve. Our resolution for 2023-2024 is to "Tend to the fields where seeds are taking root." We remain committed to serving the 84% of Canadians who do not have equitable access to end-of-life care, and we thank all those who have supported us in this mission.
Tracey Robertson
Co-Founder & CEO
Glen Burkholder
Co-Founder & Board Chair
![Glen[1]_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4a2925_5395c8c68b344764abc069160c4e5d17~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_5,y_0,w_382,h_393/fill/w_350,h_360,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Glen%5B1%5D_edited.jpg)
Progress Report: 2022-2023
Highlights
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Board Expansion: Doubled the number of national board participants.
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Geographical Growth: Expanded chapters across Ontario, from Ottawa to Windsor, with emerging interest in Calgary and the eastern provinces.
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C.A.N.D.Y Café: Established as a foundational program, fostering partnerships and opening pathways for new agency collaborations.
Pilot Projects
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Prison Hospice: Providing end-of-life care to incarcerated individuals.
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Houseless Hospice: Supporting houseless individuals facing end-of-life diagnoses.
Agency Partnerships
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The Bello Project: Supporting pets of houseless individuals facing death.
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C.A.N.D.Y Café: Solidifying partnerships and expanding outreach.
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Compassionate Caregiving: Enhancing the Professional Caregiving Program, The Forgotten Responder workshops, and the De-Briefing Help Line.
Education Initiatives
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Compassionate Caregiving Online Training: Mobilizing to provide critical end-of-life care knowledge and skills.
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Public Educational Events Relaunch: Reviving events such as Death Cafes and workshops on talking about death and grief.
Testimonial
Board Chair: Glen Burkholder
To our professional development facilitation team - thank you for your dedication. Your contributions make our educational efforts effective and sought after. My heart is full of gratitude to all who work in background and the numerous facilitators that give their time to the multiple weekends of the live and in-person fulfilment of each program.
HHA Chapters
Our chapters are re-engaging with their communities, focusing on:
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In-Person Networking: Providing opportunities for Death/ IPL Doulas and care companions to connect, learn, and celebrate.
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Collaborative Opportunities: Partnering with community agencies to extend end-of-life care programs.
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Community Engagement: Hosting events like Death Cafes to foster community conversations about dying and death.
A Note From
HHA Co-Founder: Jeanne O'Kell
In 2014, on a dock at my cottage, Tracey shared her vision of HHA with us. That vision has since enveloped so many people with support and assistance. HHA not only supports those wishing to die at home but also offers incredible educational opportunities, helping countless people understand that it’s okay to die and a gift to accompany someone on their journey. I’m immensely proud of our entire HHA family for making this dream a reality.
Featured Blog
In this year’s blog feature, Lisa Bonneville, one of Home Hospice Association’s dedicated Death Educators, reflects on her experience during a Death Doula Certificate Training Weekend, offering a unique perspective as both a facilitator and a participant.
Her insights beautifully capture the essence of our mission to provide compassionate care and meaningful education within and across our communities. Lisa’s journey emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and connection, and how this training empowers caregivers to offer the dignified, compassionate support at the heart of HHA’s work.
Read her full story here: The Death Doula Certificate Training Weekend: As a Facilitator vs. a Participant.
Moonlit Memory Walk
October 2022
TBD
Team Acknowledgement
As we reflect on the successes of 2022-2023, we extend our deepest gratitude to the amazing team working behind the scenes. This year's Social Justice Interns were instrumental in assembling this annual report, and we are immensely grateful for their dedication. Thank you for your hard work and for shining a light on HHA’s progress and future.
Learn more about our team here and our cutting-edge internship program here.
“Another quote?”
From
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Donor & Partner Acknowledgements
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our partners, donors, and supporters. Special recognition goes to Featherstone Winery for their steadfast support. We’re also grateful to everyone who has embraced and contributed to HHA's vision, including the following individuals and organizations:
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Boreal Pet Foods
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Cambridge Animal Hospital
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Cedarview Animal Hospital
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Canadian Dachshund Rescue Ontario
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Dogtopia
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Jacquie Bishop Cleary
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Karen Black at Indigo Photography
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Louise Engel & Featherstone Estate Winery
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PIJAC
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Sue-Ann Staff Winery
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Vineland Estates
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Westcott Vineyards
Explore all our partners here.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2023-2024, HHA remains steadfast in our mission to provide compassionate, accessible end-of-life care. Building on the momentum of this past year, we are focusing on expanding our reach and deepening our impact across Canada. Our goals for the year ahead include:
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Chapter Engagement: Expand into Alberta (Calgary) and British Columbia.
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Community Outreach: Include Older Adult Centres across Canada.
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Bello Project Expansion: Support pets living on the street with owners facing death, part of the Houseless Hospice Program.
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Compassionate Caregiving Training: Rebuild and mobilize online training to equip community caregivers with the knowledge and skills to confidently provide end-of-life care in diverse environments.
