News

Between high school and hospice: teenagers volunteering in the US

  • by Volunteer Hub
  • July 4, 2017

Based on an original story in the Hickory Daily Record on 2 July 2017.

Volunteering in palliative care attracts many people who have retired, although some services deliberately focus on the involvement of young people.

In the US one of those is the not-for-profit organisation Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care which trained 11 teenagers to serve as VolunTEENs during its recent workshops.

“We trained a good group of teens, and they are already involved in our ambitious summer schedule,” said volunteer support specialist Crystal Burch.

VolunTEENS visit Caldwell Hospice patients and residents at area long-term-care facilities and patients at our patient care units. They work on special projects, help with clerical assignments or in our annual children's grief camp.

“VolunTEENs have so many opportunities to serve; among them are preparing our newsletter for mailing, baking cookies and making ice cream sundaes with residential hospice patients at our patient care units, and helping with yard work for some of our hospice patients at their homes.”

VolunTEENS must be in high school and can participate through their high school's Hospice VolunTEENS club. VolunTEENS training is held each summer. To be selected for the VolunTEENS program, high school students must complete an application and interview process. Only 25 teens are accepted for the program annually.

To learn more about the Caldwell Hospice VolunTEEN program, visit www.caldwellhospice.org.

Hospices funded under the US Medicare Hospice program are required, as a condition of funding, to demonstrate that volunteers provide at least 5% of ‘total patient care’ hours. For a discussion about hospice programs and volunteering in the US, NZ, UK and Australia see our 2016 paper by Alex Huntir ‘Towards a framework for community hospice in NSW (Part 1): A background paper’.  

Based on an original story in the Hickory Daily Record on 2 July 2017.

Pic: Standing (from L) Kendal Murphy, Cassie Roberts, John Pezzi, Nathan Triplett, Nancie Corpening and Katherin Buitrago. Seated are Madison Maloney, Jamie Cline, Peighton Watson, Anabel Zayas and Kendra Triplett. Pic from Hickory Daily Record.

 

 

Upcoming Events

Beyond the Biography: Reflective writing for well-being
UPCOMING
  • MAY 9, 2024
  • 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Beyond the Biography: Reflective writing for well-being

Beyond the Biography: Reflective writing for well-being. Presented by Dr Hi...

Read more
NSW Network of Managers of Palliative Care Volunteers – June meeting
UPCOMING
  • JUNE 13, 2024
  • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

NSW Network of Managers of Palliative Care Volunteers – June meeting

The role of the Network is to ensure best practice for NSW Managers of Pall...

Read more
NSW Network of Managers of Palliative Care Volunteers – September meeting
UPCOMING
  • SEPTEMBER 12, 2024
  • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

NSW Network of Managers of Palliative Care Volunteers – September meeting

The role of the Network is to ensure best practice for NSW Managers of Pall...

Read more

Become a member of Palliative Care NSW

Palliative Care New South Wales is the peak body in NSW representing palliative care providers and those with an interest in palliative care. Palliative Care New South Wales is a member of the national peak body Palliative Care Australia.

Join today and receive discounts, benefits and more!
Special member rate available for volunteers.

Subscribe to our eNews

Be the first to know our latest new, events, and research!

SUBSCRIBE TO ENEWS