Emmanuel Hospice is looking for volunteers in the greater Grand Rapids area to provide support to patients and families, as well as assist its clinical teams.

The organization is in particular need of volunteers in the northern regions of the metropolitan area, specifically from Rockford, Sparta, Ionia and Cedar Springs.

Volunteers serve Emmanuel Hospice in many ways, including making bereavement calls, capturing patient’s life stories, supporting office needs and providing companionship with certified pet visitors. Other volunteer opportunities include assisting with community outreach, knitting, card-making and patient/family support.

“Volunteers are essential to our mission of providing exceptional end-of-life care for patients,” said Jackie Chandler, Emmanuel Hospice volunteer coordinator. “They help bring to life our philosophy of care that centers on providing comfort, dignity and tranquility to our patients and their loved ones.”

Emmanuel Hospice is dedicated to matching the unique skills and interests of prospective volunteers with the right opportunity, ensuring each volunteer receives a tailored area of assignment. Volunteers must first undergo a criminal background check and screening for TB. They will then complete a self-paced 12-hour course of online study to familiarize themselves with hospice care and end-of-life issues.

Headquartered in downtown Grand Rapids, the Medicare-certified and CHAP-accredited nonprofit provider serves patients and families across West Michigan.

Those who are interested in volunteering can submit an application form online at: emmanuelhospice.org/volunteer. Individuals may contact Chandler with questions and for more information at jchandler@emmanuelhospice.org.

About Emmanuel Hospice

Emmanuel Hospice is a faith-based nonprofit provider of compassionate, person-centered hospice care to patients and families in West Michigan. Serving the community since 2013, the organization is a collaborative effort of St. Ann’s, Clark, Porter Hills and Sunset designed to complete the continuum by providing end-of-life care to those inside – and outside – the walls of these organizations. For more information, visit www.emmanuelhospice.org.