Hospice Slates Volunteer Training

HOSPICE RECRUITING NEW VOLUNTEERS IN KANE AND DUPAGE

(April 5, 2011) Barrington, IL—In an effort to recruit new volunteers in Kane and DuPage counties, Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois (HPNI) will hold a Volunteer Training program on Saturdays, April 30 and May 7 in Elgin.

The not-for-profit agency offers various volunteer opportunities from patient care, companionship, pediatric patient care and vigil volunteers to drivers for palliative care patients, and office assistance.

The April 30 training session will be held from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., while the May 7 session will be held from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Elgin, 256 E. Chicago St., in Elgin. Participation is required on both days to become certified in patient care volunteering.

Advance registration is required. Interested persons should contact Janice Farrell, HNI Volunteer Coordinator, at 224-770-2477, or JFarrell@HospiceAnswers.org to register.

“We provide care to patients in seven counties, including Kane and DuPage, which is why we need to find more volunteers in these areas,” Farrell said. “Our volunteers visit patients wherever they live—private residences, nursing homes, senior living residences. So we try to pair volunteers with patients who reside close to them.”

HPNI’s volunteers are valuable. The agency’s more than 200 volunteers offer their time in various capacities, as their schedule allows.

“We welcome anyone who wishes to volunteer their time,” noted Siobhan White, director of programs at HPNI. “We will work around their availability and help them select the volunteering option that is right for them.”