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We are very pleased to announce that both The Charlevoix County Community Foundation and the Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation have recognized Hospice of Northwest Michigan, through their grant awards, as a valued nonprofit that not only positively impacts our local community but is a focused community care partner.  The $5,000 Charlevoix County Community Foundation grant will assist Hospice of Northwest Michigan in developing a marketing plan for our organization, and include needed marketing tools and training, helping us to spread the message that “You have a Choice” in hospice care and hospice care is about “Making Life Moments Happen”.   The $3,500 Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation grant will help us to be able to purchase, assemble, and distribute more of the File of Life refrigerator kits to more Emmet County residents during presentations and health fairs.

Amy Wieland, Executive Director, said “We are extremely grateful to both of the Community Foundations for their generous support of our community services and recognizing our services as a valued choice and investment.  They have enabled us to more effectively reach out to those who need and depend on Hospice of Northwest Michigan and to ensure that we are able to provide the best possible care.” According to Wieland, the continued outstanding support from the Community Foundations will positively impact our community friends, families and neighbors well into the future.   

You have a Choice in hospice care.  Know what choices are available for you and your family before an emergent situation arises.

The Charlevoix County Community Foundation is a local charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens of Charlevoix County by building permanent endowment, addressing needs through grant-making, and providing leadership resources to serve the community. Learn more about CCCF online at www.c3f.org.

The Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation is a local charitable organization that raises the awareness of the value of unrestricted giving and promotes philanthropy so that we can give more.  Their funding decisions are made by members of the community to serve the community.  Learn more about the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation at www.phsacf.org or by calling 231-348-5820.

Hospice of Northwest Michigan is a 501(c)3 non-profit, 40+ year community based hospice, serving Antrim, Charlevoix, and Emmet counties. Learn more about us online at www.hospicenwm.org or by calling (800) 551-4140.  Presentations to local organizations or access to more information can be arranged by contacting Amy Wieland at (231) 547-7659.

I had the pleasure of being a part of Career Day with the youth in our community.  I presented on Hospice of Northwest Michigan and why Marketing, Fundraising, and Grant Writing were important for our organization.  Engaging any audience is a challenge but because of the way our youth is being raised and educated in this community, my job was easy.  A week after my presentation I received the following email and have permission to share it with you.

“Hi, Amy!

The lesson here is to never underestimate your message or your audience.  It was a win/win kind of day!

It is with great honor that we are pleased to announce our transition from a We Honor Veterans Partner Level 2 to a Level 3. It has been a rewarding journey meeting each new commitment and completing the specific activities that increase our ability to serve veterans.

Our first step back in 2011 was to complete the Recruit Process of getting oriented to the program and committing time and staff to the We Honor Veterans Program. The second step that took us to Level 1 partner allowing us to provide Veteran-centric education for staff and volunteers, and identify patients with military experience.  The third step that took us to Level 2 was to build organizational capacity to provide quality care for Veterans.  This most recent step to Level 3 allowed us to develop and strengthen relationships with VA medical centers and other Veteran organizations.  We are actively striving now for our Level 4 partnership that will increase access and improve quality of care for all Veterans in our community.

As a We Honor Veterans hospice provider, Hospice of Northwest Michigan is providing specialized care to Veterans who are facing a life-limiting illness.   The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs created We Honor Veterans to empower hospice and other healthcare providers across America to meet the unique needs of seriously ill Veterans and their families.

By recognizing the unique needs of veterans who are facing a life-limiting illness, we are able to accompany and guide these men and women toward a more peaceful ending. For veterans who experienced combat service or other trauma, this can be particularly important as experiences from the past may resurface at the end of life.   Hospice of Northwest Michigan is actively delivering local community based Veteran-centric care to those who served our country.

Hospice of Northwest Michigan is a 501(c)3 non-profit, community based hospice, serving Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego Counties. Call (800) 551-4140 toll-free for more information on hospice services, or to learn more about how you can help us support our local veterans.

As a We Honor Veteran’s Partner and community collaborator, being an open door to veterans, not just at end of life, is a priority and an honor.  We hear a lot about Veteran’s in general, but many of our veterans are still not utilizing the resources available to them.

According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, “Women served in the United States Military as early as the Revolutionary War. Since then, women of all ages, ranks, and levels of authority have entered every branch of service, made significant contributions, and suffered the same sacrifices as men.”

As many male veterans do not understand what is available to them or how to access these resources, that same can be said for our women veterans.

As a woman with military service, you may qualify for a wide range of benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs states with respect to VA Benefits, “Women Veterans may be eligible for a wide-variety of benefits available to all U.S. military Veterans. VA benefits include disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial. See our Veterans page for an overview of the benefits available to all Veterans.”

They also have provided information about VA benefits and programs specifically for Women Veterans.

VA Benefits and Programs for Women Veterans

Center for Women Veterans

VA’s Center for Women Veterans monitors and coordinates VA’s administration of benefit services and programs for women Veterans. The Center advocates for a cultural transformation that recognizes the service and contributions of women Veterans and women in the military, and also raises awareness of the responsibility to treat women Veterans with dignity and respect.

Learn more about the Center for Women Veterans.

Women Veteran Coordinators

There are Women Veteran Coordinator (WVCs) located in every regional office who function as the primary contact for women Veterans. WVCs provide specific information and comprehensive assistance to women Veterans, their dependents, and beneficiaries concerning VA benefits and related non-VA benefits. They may assist you in the claims intake, development, and processing of military sexual and personal trauma claims.

VA Health Care for Women Veterans

At each VA medical center nationwide, a Women Veterans Program Manager (WVPM) is designated to advise and advocate for women Veterans. The WVPM can help coordinate all the services you may need, from primary care to specialized care for chronic conditions or reproductive health. Woman Veterans who are interested in receiving care at VA should contact the nearest VA Medical Center and ask for the WVPM.

Learn more about the VA Health Care for Women Veterans.

VA Benefits for Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma

VA has special services available to help women who experienced military sexual trauma (MST), including free, confidential counseling and treatment for mental and physical health conditions related to MST. You do not need to have a service-connected disability or injury, and may be able to receive this benefit even if you are not eligible for other VA care. You do not need to have reported the incidents when they happened or have other documentation that they occurred in order to receive MST services.

Every VA facility has a designated MST Coordinator who serves as a contact person for MST-related issues. This person is your advocate and can help you find and access VA services and programs, state and federal benefits, and community resources.

Learn more about MST and other violence and abuse from the National Center for PTSD.  Watch an overview webinar on MST and learn about the benefits available to Servicemembers and Veterans.

How to Apply

The specific VA benefit or program web page will provide tailored information about how to apply for a particular benefit or program. Generally, Servicemembers, Veterans, and families can apply for VA benefits using one of the methods below.

• Apply online using eBenefits, OR
• Work with an accredited representative or agent, OR
• Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee assist you. You can find your regional office on our Facility Locator page.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRAFICE!

Hospice of Northwest Michigan is once again participating in the Char-Em Alternative Gifts giving campaign.  It’s all about gifts that make a local difference.

Looking for a unique gift?  Non-profit organizations in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties have the perfect way to buy meaningful gifts for loved ones.  Char-Em Alternative Gits raises awareness of needs in our community, provides financial support to address those needs, and offers a meaningful option for those who wish to make a difference with their holiday shopping dollars.

Organizations participating include Char-En United Way, Friendship Centers of Emmet County, Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity, Hospice of Northwest Michigan, Manna Food Project and Women’s Resources Center of Northern Michigan.  Choose to give to any of these organization as an alternative to your typical holiday gifts by visiting www.charemalternativegifts.org, and the honoree of your gift will receive a greeting card letting them know of your donation.

http://www.charemalternativegifts.org

Hospice of Northwest Michigan invites the community to attend our annual Handling the Holidays workshop on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 7:00pm at the Frist Baptist Church, 06781 M66N, Charlevoix MI in the Multi Purpose Room.

Rev. David Behling, Spiritual Advisor/Bereavement Counselor for Hospice of Northwest Michigan will be the facilitator.

This program is OPEN to anyone who feels a need for help in coping with the holidays.  Special focus is given tot those who are grieving the loss of a loved one whether recent or in the past.  We will talk of how to cope with our loss through the Holidays and special occasions, and assist in creating a simple plan for handling some of the stresses associated with the holidays.

Participant will receive an outline with a Holiday planner and other helpful resources.  For more information, please call 231-547-7659.

There is no charge to attend.

Hospice of Northwest Michigan is pleased and honored to share with you our amazing Board of Directors, all who volunteer their time to make our organization the very best it can be.

They are engaged, active in our community and focused on our mission to provides comprehensive physical, emotional and spiritual care to individuals and their families during and following life-limiting illness.

We as an organization, invested in our local friends and families, also striving to meet the needs of anyone in our community suffering from any type of loss.  We are the local experts on loss and are here to support you free of charge.

Our President Rick Gillis and Board of Director Kendall Hayes are both missing from the group pictures but are integral in our success.

Vice President – Chris Wilhelm

Treasurer – Tina Lamont

Secretary – Mark Muniak

Board of Director – Lisa Ashley

Board of Director – Lindsay Lewis

Board of Director – Kendall Hayes

Board of Director – Mark Knapp

*Executive Director – Amy Wieland

Hospice of Northwest Michigan participates in the national We Honor Veteran’s program which allows us to acknowledge and honor veterans at end of life.

This year we are raffling off a piece of artwork….A handmade patriotic quilt made by a local artist that can be passed down for generations!  The proceeds from this raffle will help us meet the unfunded needs of our area veterans on our Hospice Program and allow us the opportunity to host future Veteran’s Appreciation Events and outreach in our local community.

Raffle tickets for the quilt are $25 each with only 250 tickets being sold.  Please contact Amy Wieland at 547-7659 if you are interested in tickets.  Tickets are also available at the Hearts to Holly quilt shop in Charlevoix.  The drawing will be done on November 7th, the same day as our First Annual Veteran’s Appreciation Event.

Please see attached details on the Hospice of Northwest Michigan’s First Annual Veteran’s Appreciation Event being held on November 7, 2015 from 1p to 4p in Charlevoix!

Veteran’s Appreciation Event

I am so excited to share such wonderful news!  This morning, with great honor and appreciation, I received the Paul Harris Fellow recognition from the Charlevoix Rotary Club.  This is a great honor to members who are Rotarians and it is an even greater honor for a member of the community who are not a Rotarian.  This recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of US $1,000.00 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

I was one who had contributions made in my name to acknowledge the leadership role I play in our community!  Such an incredible experience and I am so pleased to be a recipient.

Other notable figures to have been named as Paul Harris Fellows include US President Jimmy Carter, U.S. Astronaut James Lovell and Jonas Salk.  All I can say is WOW…I am so humbled and honored.

The award was presented to me by Tom, the Rotary District Governor and Mark the local Charlevoix President.