For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Kristin Mostowski | Director of Public Relations, Community Hospice | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301
Celebrating 40 Years of Love, Hope and Compassion
Community Hospice Celebrates 40 Year Anniversary
(January 1, 2019) Modesto, CA – Community Hospice, a nonprofit hospice provider caring for those facing a serious/life-limiting illness, has reached a milestone of 40 years, becoming the oldest and largest nonprofit hospice provider in the Central Valley. From its small, 1979 beginnings in a church basement in Modesto, CA, Community Hospice has grown to meet the needs of our surrounding communities providing support and services in multiple counties, including; Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced, Calaveras, Mariposa, Tuolumne, and parts of Contra Costa, Sacramento, Alameda and Santa Clara.
What began as a dream and desire to celebrate and enhance the lives of friends and neighbors facing a life-limiting illness, became a reality and has continued to grow to meet the ever-changing needs of our communities. Over the course of 40 years, Community Hospice has offered end-of-life hospice care, and has developed additional programs, including; palliative care for those facing a serious illness (not hospice), pediatric care programs, grief support services to anyone in the community that has experienced a loss, children’s school-based grief support, Camp Erin® of the Central Valley and community crisis response. The organization also has the Alexander Cohen Hospice House, a 16 private patient room inpatient hospice facility, a robust education program, Durable Medical Equipment Division, seven Hope Chest Thrift Stores and a Logistics Processing Center. Today, Community Hospice cares for over 3,000 community residents each year through various programs.
“As we celebrate our 40 year anniversary, we are filled with gratitude for all those that have been a part of our organization,” said C. DeSha McLeod, President/CEO Community Hospice. “Our organization has grown tremendously throughout the years and we are excited for the future and are honored to care for our community members in their time of need.”
What began as an all-volunteer organization has evolved to nearly 300 employees and over 550 volunteers that work together to support the mission of the organization.
“Community Hospice is fortunate to have compassionate and dedicated staff members and volunteers that are committed to enhancing quality of life for our friends and neighbors,” said McLeod, “It is because of them, our donors and many others we are able to fulfill our mission of providing compassionate and quality care, education and support, regardless of ability to pay.”
Community Hospice looks forward to providing the same compassionate and quality care and support they have provided throughout the years and will continue to expand their programs as the community demands. McLeod said, “Community Hospice has the same dream and desire today our founders had, to celebrate and enhance the lives of our friends and neighbors as they face life changing challenges. As we look towards the next 40 years, we promise to continue to meet the evolving needs of our community with love, hope and compassion, just as we have the past 40 years.”
To learn more about Community Hospice programs and services or to learn how you can get involved, visit hospiceheart.org or call 209.578.6300.
Community Hospice Mission:
To provide compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and their families, regardless of ability to pay.
About Community Hospice
Community Hospice is a nonprofit, community based hospice agency, serving the Central Valley since 1979. Community Hospice provides compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and their families, regardless of the ability to pay. Hospice and Palliative Care extends to thousands of patients each year in private homes, skilled nursing facilities, retirement communities and at the 16-room Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Community Hospice also provides grief support services to anyone in the community at no cost. For more information call (209) 578-6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.
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