Hospice Vaughan Breaks Ground on its 10-bed Residential Hospice and Palliative Care Centre of Excellence.

Today, construction began on the new Hospice Vaughan, a 25,000 square foot facility that will bring compassionate care to individuals and families dealing with serious illness and grief.

Located just north of Rutherford Road on Islington Ave., and expected to be open in spring/summer of 2019, the new Hospice Vaughan will include a 10-bed residential hospice, family support and bereavement services, and visiting hospice services; and will serve as a community hub that will support research, education and knowledge translation of palliative care best practices.

Hospice palliative care is an essential healthcare requirement, but there are currently no hospice beds in Vaughan. Hospice Vaughan believes its clients and the community deserve better, and that everyone deserves a good death, surrounded by family in a peaceful environment.

Quotes:

“Today is a special day for the citizens of Vaughan, front-line health professionals and the future of palliative care delivery and service in our community. As honourary chair, I am in awe of the generosity of this community. Working together, we have achieved this milestone. Hospice Vaughan is a vital part of our community. This ground-breaking event is the manifestation of our community’s collective will to address a major need. This new state-of-the-art facility will be home to advanced health services. It will also serve as a place of strength and support for family members who want the very best for their loved ones. Everyone deserves to rest with dignity and compassion. It is important that we continue to invest in the care of our neighbours by providing a space people can rely on in their time of need.”
-Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, Honourary Chair of Hospice Vaughan

“It gives me a great sense of pride to have been part of Hospice Vaughan’s journey to realizing its vision of a 10 bed residential hospice and centre of excellence in the city of Vaughan. This 25,000 sq. ft. facility will bring compassionate care to individuals and families coping with life- limiting illness and loss and serve as a community hub that will continue to support research and focus on palliative care best practices. Today as we break ground, we turn a new chapter in providing a better ending for the residents of this community.”
-Steven Del Duca, MPP Vaughan

“With the new Centre of Excellence in Vaughan, residents will be able to receive palliative care and grief and bereavement services in a home-based setting. There will be no need to leave the familiarity or comfort of our community. The dedication staff and volunteers at Hospice Vaughan and the generosity of our community, provincial partners, TRCA and key stakeholders has enabled this expansion project to become reality. Congratulations!”
– Francesco Sorbara, Member of Parliament for Vaughan-Woodbridge

“Providing sensitive, high quality end-of-life care is an important priority in the Central LHIN. Expanding Hospice Vaughan’s services in a residential setting alongside other palliative care resources will significantly benefit patients and their families and caregivers by providing access to compassionate care in a home-like environment during a very difficult time.”
-Kim Baker, Chief Executive Officer, Central LHIN

“Today marks the beginning of the most important chapter in Hospice Vaughan’s history as we take this giant leap towards realizing our vision of a Residential Hospice in the City of Vaughan which will support so many people in our community when they are at their most vulnerable, for generations to come.”
-Belinda Marchese, Executive Director, Hospice Vaughan.

Quick Facts:

• Total Cost for the Building will be $12 Million.
• The “Better Ending” Capital Campaign is well underway and we are more than halfway to our goal with over $7 million raised.
• With a volunteer base of more than 120 volunteers we offer a visiting volunteer program supporting more than 500 individuals in the community.
• In addition to the many palliative and grief clients we currently serve, the 25,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility will serve up to 200 end-of-life clients and families per year.
• The new facility will house 10 residential hospice beds, day programs, family support and counselling services, visiting community hospice services and facilities to conduct research and educate healthcare professionals on palliative care best practices.

About Hospice Vaughan

Since 1995, Hospice Vaughan, a not-for-profit organization, has been providing compassionate support to individuals facing a life-limiting illness or the loss of a loved one. We provide in-home visiting volunteers, a day program and grief and bereavement support. Our services extend out to caregivers, family members and friends who also need support in their time of need and grief. All our programs and services are free of charge for individuals of all ages. www.hospicevaughan.com

For more information contact:
Cathy Diamond, Director of Communications, Hospice Vaughan
Office: 905-850-6266 Ext. 202
Cell: 416-559-6743
Email: communications@hospicevaughan.com