VON Algoma - Hospice Volunteer Visiting & Bereavement Services
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VON Algoma Hospice Volunteer Visiting & Bereavement Program is a community-based charitable organization that provides psychosocial supports to individuals & their families who are facing a life-limiting illness, and/or bereavement. 𝙑𝙊𝙉 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙂𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨
VON Canada uses Facebook to provide an open-source for two-way communication and welcomes comments, questions and ideas from our community. To c
reate a safe space for all, we expect individuals to maintain an acceptable degree of courtesy and respect. All comments left on VON Canada's page are the responsibility of the commenter. By submitting a comment on our page you agree that the comment content is your own. Comments posted to VON Canada's social media sites represent the opinions of the individuals providing the comment and not the views, positions, or policies of VON Canada. VON makes no warrants as to the accuracy or truth of any postings by commenters. VON Canada monitors all comments and reserves the right to immediately remove or mark as spam any comment we deem inappropriate. Repeated violations of VON Canada's comment policy may cause the author to be blocked from engaging on VON Canada’s Facebook accounts. A comment will be deleted if it contains the following:
• Defamation of a person or people.
• Personal attacks or vulgar, abusive, offensive, threatening or harassing images and/or language. This includes creative spellings of swear words using asterisks or spaces between words.
• Comments that promote, foster or perpetuate discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental ability or sexual orientation.
• Hate speech, sexual content or links to sexual content.
• Comments that promote or advertise a person or a business or commercial transaction.
• Comments that promote or oppose any person campaigning for election to a political office.
• Comments or posts that disclose information which VON Canada and its employees are required to keep confidential by law or administrative rule.
• Spam comments, such as the same comment/content posted multiple times. Any subsequent posting of identical or virtually identical information will be removed. Communications made through Facebook will in no way constitute a legal or official notice or comment to the VON Canada or any official or employee of VON Canada for any purpose. For official inquiries or correspondence please email VON’s marketing communications department [email protected], or visit our website www.von.ca.
03/19/2026
Hello, and thank you to all of our wonderful followers for supporting our program page!
We want to share that we are integrating the Hospice Volunteer Visiting & Bereavement Services program page - with our main page VON - Algoma. Moving forward, you will find news, events, and updates about all the exceptional community programs VON has proudly provided in Algoma for the past 60 years. 💙
This change will help streamline our communications and ensure you receive all updates in one convenient place.
Please follow our main VON - Algoma page, as this page will be amalgamated soon.
Thank you for your continued support! 💙
03/10/2026
📣 **Exciting Educational Opportunity for Sault Ste. Marie!**
We are so pleased to share this special educational series on **Dr. Wolfelt's Grief & Bereavement Philosophy and Approach**, facilitated by the incredibly knowledgeable **Krista Ryall, PhD**!
Krista has completed **five in-person courses with Dr. Alan Wolfelt** at the prestigious **Center for Loss & Life Transition**, bringing a specialized depth of knowledge and a true passion for grief support that she is eager to share with our community. 🌿
Whether you're a volunteer, caregiver, counselor, educator, or simply someone who walks alongside others through life's most difficult moments — this session is for YOU. 💙
Join us **in person at VON Algoma** for an evening of compassionate learning rooted in the teachings of Dr. Alan Wolfelt.
📍 7B Oxford St., Sault Ste. Marie
📅 Thursday, April 2nd, 2026
🕕 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Spots are limited — to register, contact **Holly Lewis** at [email protected] or call **(705) 825-0097**.
Let's come together to better support those navigating grief in our community. ❤️
03/09/2026
This job might be a great fit for you: Palliative Pain and Symptom Management (PPSM) Consultant - Full-time - Come join us! https://bit.ly/4s6iTlU
Requisition Details: Employment Status: Regular, Full-time (1.0 FTE) Program Name: Palliative Pain and Symptom Management Number of Hours Bi-Weekly: 75 Work Schedule: Days On Call: No Existing Vacancy: Yes - we're currently hiring candidates for an existing vacancy in this position. J...
03/03/2026
🫶 Bereavement Peer Support Group 🫶
Grief can feel heavy, isolating, and overwhelming. You don’t have to carry it alone. Our 8-week Mixed-Loss Grief Group offers a warm, supportive space where adults (18+) can connect with others who are grieving.
This program follows Alan Wolfelt's book Understanding Your Grief. Each participant will receive their own copy of the book and the accompanying journal, providing gentle guidance and reflection throughout the group.
📅 Start Date: April 9, 2026
🕔 Thursdays, 6:00–7:30 PM
👤 Facilitated by Dr. Krista Ryall, VON Grief & Bereavement Lead
Together, we explore the ten essential touchstones of grief, honouring each person’s unique journey with compassion, patience, and understanding.
Registration is required. Please contact Jenna at [email protected] or 705-690-3518
You are not alone. We’re here to walk alongside you.
03/02/2026
March is Nutrition Month 🍎
Good nutrition supports strength, recovery, independence, and overall wellbeing — at every stage of life.
From Meals on Wheels to Adult Day Programs and student nutrition initiatives, we see firsthand how access to healthy food helps people live well at home and in their communities.
Food is more than fuel — it’s foundational to health. 💙
March is Nutrition Month 🍎
Good nutrition supports strength, recovery, independence, and overall wellbeing — at every stage of life.
From Meals on Wheels to Adult Day Programs and student nutrition initiatives, we see firsthand how access to healthy food helps people live well at home and in their communities.
Food is more than fuel — it’s foundational to health. 💙
02/25/2026
💙 **VON Palliative Volunteer Visiting**
When facing serious illness, days can feel long and isolating. Our specially trained volunteers bring:
A listening ear
Companionship through activities you enjoy
A peaceful presence during difficult moments
Reading together
Looking at cherished photos
Listening to favorite music
Simply sitting quietly
We provide the gift of human connection when it matters most.
Contact:
Holly Lewis
(705) 825-0097 [email protected]
02/25/2026
February 25 marks Anti-Bullying and Pink Shirt Day! 💕
We believe in communities built on kindness, respect and support. Shout out to everyone wearing pink today to take a stand!
February 25 marks Anti-Bullying and Pink Shirt Day! 💕
We believe in communities built on kindness, respect and support. Shout out to everyone wearing pink today to take a stand!
02/18/2026
February 14–20 is Random Acts of Kindness Week! 💛
A little kindness goes a long way - whether it’s a smile, a thank-you or lending a helping hand.
They say volunteering is one of the strongest acts of kindness! Learn more about volunteering with us at von.ca/volunteer
February 14–20 is Random Acts of Kindness Week! 💛
A little kindness goes a long way - whether it’s a smile, a thank-you or lending a helping hand.
They say volunteering is one of the strongest acts of kindness! Learn more about volunteering with us at von.ca/volunteer
02/13/2026
Sending love from all of us at VON this Valentine’s Day!
Today we celebrate love, care and the moments that make our community brighter. 🥰
02/11/2026
✨ Yesterday, our board room was filled with so much love and compassion.
We began with our Women’s Circle, creating a safe space for connection and shared grieving. We were then joined by Mike from Soo Mill and Lumber, who offered incredibly helpful guidance on home maintenance. He even brought brochures with helpful tips for the group members!
This topic can feel overwhelming for many widows who are now navigating tasks their partners once took care of. His visit brought not only practical support, but also reassurance and confidence to the women in our grief group.
We are grateful for this community connection, for the courage in the room, and for the people who show up to support healing in meaningful ways. Thank you.💛
02/11/2026
Today is 211 Day! Each year, February 11th reminds us that support is always within reach. 📞
By dialing 2-1-1 anywhere in Canada, you can connect with a community navigator who can guide you to the support you need, including health services, financial assistance, housing, mental health and crisis resources and community programs, all available in over 150 languages.
Spread the word - help starts here.
📅 Today is 211 Day.
Across Canada, 211 helps people connect to local community services when they need support — whether they’re looking for housing help, mental health services, food programs, or other essential supports.
Through phone, chat, text, and web search, 211 provides free, confidential, and trusted navigation to thousands of community programs. Every day, this service helps individuals, families, and communities find their way through complex systems and changing needs.
Learn how 211 supports people in your community: https://211.ca/
02/10/2026
❤ Valentines Day is often seen as a day filled with love, gratitude and joy. For those who have experienced a death of someone near to their heart, Valentines Day might look a little different. If you are having a difficult time navigating your grief this week, please reach out to us.
We are also holding appointment spots on Friday February 13, 2025 for those who wish to set up a one-on-one grief support appointment. Please reach out to Jenna at [email protected] or (705) 690-3518
“May there be comfort in knowing that someone so special will never be forgotten” – Julie Hebert
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VON Algoma Hospice Volunteer Visiting & Bereavement Program is a community-based charitable organization that provides psychosocial supports to individuals & their families who are facing a life-limiting illness, and/or bereavement. VON Algoma Hospice Services is a non‐profit, community based, charitable organization that provides non‐medical emotional, social, and spiritual support to individuals, their families and caregivers who are facing advanced illness and death, as well as bereavement services to those struggling with the loss of a loved one. Our services are provided throughout Algoma Region in homes, long‐term care centres, retirement homes & communities, hospital rooms and shelters.
Hospice volunteers Visiting:
Who: Adults (18+) who have been diagnosed with a life limiting illness(es) and are in the latter stages of their journey.
What: Our Program consists of Hospice Volunteer Visitors who are specially trained, caring, dedicated people who offer their knowledge, experience and support to help the client and their family through life-limiting illness(es) or an end-of-life journey. Volunteers act as a member of the interdisciplinary team as an adjunct to nursing or home support visits.
When: Volunteers will meet with a client once a week for a few hours and provide emotional support, companionship and care-giver relief (if needed).
Where: Our services are provided throughout Algoma Region in homes, long‐term care centres, retirement homes & communities, hospital rooms and shelters. A volunteer is also able to bring the client into the community if able.
Contact: If you know of someone (a loved one, friend, neighbour or a client) or are interested in the program please contact our office and speak with Julia Lewis our Hospice Volunteer Visiting & Bereavement Services Program Coordinator (Office: (705) 942-8200 ext:265).
Grief and Bereavement:
Who: Adults (18+) who have experienced the death of a significant person in their lives. The program is based on a peer support model. Groups are facilitated by trained volunteers, many of whom have experienced loss themselves.
What: The program is designed to support bereaved individuals in a group setting by creating a safe space where they can share their stories, explore questions and feelings, and learn healthy coping strategies. All of this takes place in an environment where grief is normalized, and individual experiences are validated.
When: Groups meet once a weekly, monthly or on an individual basis for extenuating circumstances. We have an on-going group (all losses) every Thursday evenings 6PM-8PM.
Where: Most meetings are at VON Algoma (7B Oxford St. - Sault Ste. Marie). Some meetings will be at other locations hosted within our community.
Contact: If you are interested in the program services please contact our office and speak with Julia Lewis our Hospice Volunteer Visiting & Bereavement Services Program Coordinator (Office: (705) 942-8200 ext:265).
