HomeMy WebLinkAbout01102022 City Council LAYDOWN - Tonya Foote Seward Area Hospice with insert1 November 2021
Seward City Council
John Osenga, Council President
City Hall
410 Adams Street
Seward, Alaska 99664
Dear Mr. Osenga and Council:
We write to you on behalf of Seward Area Hospice (SAH), a non-profit volunteer hospice in Seward since
2016. SAH has provided home -based hospice care to terminally ill individuals and their families since
licensing in 2017. Following a recent discussion with Mr. Sowell, Asst. City Manager, Mayor Terry, and
Vice -Mayor McClure, we were encouraged to write this letter to you regarding the subject of these
discussions concerning financial support for SAH.
Until SAW, Seward had never had hospice services that supported individuals at the end of life who
wanted to remain at home. Now, to the extent possible, SAH supports this option. Since 2017, through a
Memorandum of Understanding with Providence Seward/Seward Mountain Haven, SAH has provided
end of life companioning in those facilities and supports the No One Dies Alone Program, In Anchorage
these types of programs are funded by Providence.
Seward Area Hospice is relatively new and completely dependent on donations. We have received very
strong and generous support from Seward Community Foundation, Providence Seward and Providence
Foundation in the past. Community members and businesses have also shown they value SAH services.
Even though SAH provides these valuable services with a small staff and good stewardship of any
monies we receive, it would be difficult do it all strictly through fundraising alone, using valuable time
best spent helping clients and families.
For this reason we are hoping that you and the rest of the City Council would consider reasonable
support of SAH, as we work to improve the healthcare options in the Seward Community. We would like
to provide more information to you and the Council at your request and convenience. Please let us
know if this is possible.
On behalf of Board President, Ellen O'Brien, and myself, we thank you very much for your consideration
of our request.
Sincerely,
Tonya Foote, Program Director
907-3r6 Ave., P.O. Box 1331, Seward, Alaska 99664
907-224-3051
Monday, January 10, 2022
Seward Area Hospice
Timeline of Development:
2008: First discussion @ Hospice in Seward with co-founder, Ellen
O'Brien
2016: Became Incorporated: SAH is the first volunteer hospice to be
established in Alaska since 1996. There are only 6 others .
2017: Alaska State License: Non Profit and Volunteer Only Hospice
2017: Saw our first client
2017: Obtained MOU with Providence to provide Hospice services to
Seward Mountain Haven and the hospital
2017 — 2022: Have provided direct care to 50 clients, have provided
grief support to another 15 community based clients when family
members passed in the Lower 48 and they needed grief support, and
we have received 10 additional inquiries for services that we may be
able to provide.
Funding Sources: Volunteer Hospices cannot bill for any services.
Grants: Seward Community Foundation
Providence Alaska Foundation
• Not a complete list
Fund Raisers: ( Most Recent)
Hike for Hospice: SAH, Grayling Lake
Butterfly Release: Providence Seward
SAH Awareness: July V Festivities'
• Not a complete list
Private Donations
Financial Responsibilities:
Payroll: ( Taxes) Only 2 paid staff members
License and Permits
Insurance
WC Insurance
Freight/Postage
Program Supplies ( bereavement material, books to loan)
Office Supplies
Volunteer Training /Support
Telephone/Internet
Fundraising /Events materials
Legal and Professional Services
Membership and Dues
Contract services
Credit Card Fees
Bank Fees
Advertising Fees
Rent — Office Space
• Not a complete list
Seward Area Hospice
A-C* M
Our mission is to provide compassionate
end of life care to enable comfort, dignity
and choice for the individual and the family.
907 3rd Avenue Suite C
PO Box 1331
Seward AK 99664
(907) 224-3051
www.sewardoreahospice.org
What is hospice?
Seward Area Hospice is a licensed volunteer
hospice. We provide community members
with the support and compassion they need
while facing the end of life, coping with serious
illness, or experiencing the loss of a loved one.
Care focuses on quality of life and helps the
clients to make the most of their remaining
time in whatever place they call home.
Our Services
Trained Volunteer Companions
End of Life Planning
Grief & Bereavement Support
Access to Community Resources
Community Education and Awareness
ALL SERVICES ARE FREE OF CHARGE
How to get involved:
Share
Tell others about Seward Area Hospice,
especially those who could benefit from our
services.
Volunteer
Consider joining our team of volunteers.
Current opportunities include client
companioning, office work and helping with
fundraising events.
Donate
Generous donations from our community allow
us to offer our services free of charge.
Donations can be made by mail or online.
Seward Area Hospice has been made possible by grants from
Seward Community Foundation & Providence Alaska Foundation