Hospice Northwest Launches Volunteer Recruitment Drive with new Executive Director, Cherie Kok
#LSN_Health Executive Director, Cherie Kok
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO - July 23, 2018 (LSN) The board of directors for Hospice Northwest is excited to announce the first new Executive Director for the organization in over 25 years. Cherie Kok has been selected to take over from Joan Williams, who had been with Hospice Northwest since 1993, when it was known as Via Vitae.
Cherie holds a BA in Psychology and a MA in Philanthropy and Development. Complimenting those educational achievements, she brings with her experience from both the non-profit and for-profit sectors, as the former Canadian Red Cross District Branch Manager, as well as 10 years with the Chartwell Retirement Residences, including positions in recreation, marketing and management.
Over the last 30 years, Hospice Northwest has evolved and grown, becoming a community leader in providing compassionate support to individuals and their families as they face their end-of-life journeys. With the recent changes in palliative care, and the legislation governing Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), Hospice Northwest has stayed committed to providing personcentered care to our clients, without personal judgement or discrimination based on diagnosis, demographic characteristics or personal belief systems.
Cherie will lead the organization as we launch an intensive volunteer recruitment drive this fall, seeking new volunteers committed to upholding our core commitment of serving our clients with dignity and respect. Hospice Northwest believes that dying is a natural and normal part of the life process.
Our work embraces a holistic approach that enhances people’s dignity, self-worth and sense of connectedness. Volunteerism is the cornerstone of our work. Our special guest speaker will be John Glazier. John has been a dedicated palliative care volunteer with Hospice Northwest since 2012. He has offered kindness, compassion and support to those facing the challenges of a life-limiting illness and to those who are bereaved. His commitment to his volunteer work takes him into people’s homes, hospitals and LTC facilities.
“As a volunteer I enjoy a very special relationship with my HNW client, a voyage of support and discovery that we travel together ... free of all baggage and judgment. The rewards come in many ways but the biggest is always the privilege of being a part of the end-of-life journey”, says John.
Hospice Northwest is in desperate need of new volunteers for the coming year. The focus for this recruitment drive is on multicultural volunteers. “Sharing the same language, sharing the same culture, is so important for those nearing the end of life. Facing a terminal illness is terrifying in and of itself, but imagine facing that illness and not understanding the language of those around you? That’s just one of the ways our volunteers can help”, says Cherie Kok.