By Erin Knutson
Special to the Pioneer
The Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley has received an outpouring of attention from interested volunteers for their upcoming twelve-week peer group grief journey program in response to an article in last weeks Pioneer; however, there has been some confusion around the type of recruits theyre seeking.
We are very grateful for the enthusiasm of those who called the response weve received is wonderful, said Hospice Society founding executive director Maria Kliavkoff.
While volunteers are always appreciated, the program is actually seeking participants people who have recently lost spouses, but Ms. Kliavkoff has made it clear that any one experiencing grieving from a recent loss will not be turned away.
As of January 8th, there were seven spaces available. This is the first bereavement support group offered by the Hospice and its continuation depends on the success of its trial run. Ideally, participants will be people who have lost someone within the past year.
This program is to help those who are mourning know that they are not alone, Ms. Kliavkoff said.
For all of those who have graciously shown an interest in a volunteer support role, there will be 21-hour training sessions this spring. Applications are currently available.
Participants interested in the bereavement support group, please contact Ms. Kliavkoff at 250-688-1143, or email [email protected]. Or please feel free to register at the Hospice office in Frater Landing, Unit 103 926-7th Avenue in downtown Invermere.
