Hospice – a special kind of care
The Franciscan SOUL (Service Opportunities for Understanding Life) Student Volunteer Program is an innovative way to help us reach our goals and enhance the work of Franciscan Hospice through the talents, creativity and vitality of student volunteers. Students participate in the compassionate care of terminally ill patients through several volunteer opportunities:
Care Teams – Student teams visit hospice patients and assist staff in local nursing homes.
Hospice House Volunteers – SOUL volunteers have the opportunity to work in our hospice facility serving ice-cream to patients and families, doing projects and assisting staff and adult volunteers.
Storycatching – Students listen to patients and capture their life story through written stories, scrapbooks, and other creative avenues.
A student volunteer whose patient had very recently died arrived in our offices one afternoon. With tears in her eyes she spoke of her patient, “She wasn’t able to communicate but we would listen to gospel songs together. We would hold hands. This last visit she looked at me and we just had this moment. I’ll never forget it. She’s dead now, but I know I made a difference. And I’m different too.”
Contact Us
If you would like more information regarding the SOUL program or would like to volunteer please contact Mary VonGoedert, SOUL Student Volunteer Coordinator, at 253-661-4061.
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