eNews: May June July 2022
Emily’s House / Philip Aziz Centre for Hospice Care
E-Newsletter: May June July 2022
Testimonial from a new volunteer on her first shift with Emily’s House children:
“It was absolutely lovely! The house is beautiful, and the children were such a blast to hang out with! I spent the first hour getting a tour, and meeting/learning about the people. We had a dance party, and played with all the instruments, and watched Peppa Pig, and played Uno and Jenga, and then there were bath bombs and blocks. The time really just flew by so fast! A Rec Coordinator said it’s different every shift, and that as I spend more time here, I’ll start to build relationships with the kids, so I’m really looking forward to that!”
Miah Makes Music
Our Music Therapist worked with Miah and her siblings as part of the Emily’s House at Home program. Miah is a curious and energetic child who loves playing and being with her family. Miah was diagnosed with a life-limiting genetic disorder, and was referred to Music Therapy to support interaction with family and engagement in activities which were becoming more difficult to do on her own. Miah and her siblings’ time in Music Therapy provided an opportunity for them to bond and make memories together. The siblings showed their love and care for Miah by encouraging her to participate in ways that were comfortable for her. They helped her play instruments by gently guiding her hands, and reminded her of memories connected to songs. From singing and drumming together, to exploring new instruments like the ocean drum and floor piano, they shared the experience of music. Music Therapy highlighted Miah’s abilities allowing her to be creative in music alongside her family.
Emily’s House at Home’s New Social Worker Role
The new Social Worker role that was introduced to the Emily’s House Core Team is already making a client impact. She has observed that a client’s mindset improves over time, as they co-develop new coping techniques to manage the most stressful issues identified by the client. She is also delivering community outreach talks on palliative care: helping to equip vulnerable groups who may benefit from access to caregiver, disability, and HIV support resources.
PAC Community Client Testimonials
- “All the Philip Aziz services are amazing.” – caregiver of community client
- “My sister is so grateful for Philip Aziz, for everything, for the meal support, and especially [her visiting volunteer]. She is so nice to her son, and takes him to the park to give them all a break.” – family of community client
- “It’s amazing the things you do for the families who are going through the hardest time of their life.” – family of community client
Grief and Bereavement
- The Emily’s House Garden Memorial will be held in-person this year, on Sunday, June 26 at 2 pm. For more information, contact Sandy Broad: 647–554–9196.
- New support groups start throughout the year: 416-363-9196, ext. 206 / [email protected]
Infant Maternal Perinatal Advanced Care Team (IMPACT)
Our IMPACT Partnership received 72 new referrals in the last year, which is encouraging for this category of early prognosis supports. It is designed for improved mental health and wellbeing outcomes for young parents at a time of trauma/crisis.
Volunteers
- As of January 31, in-person client visits from volunteers became possible again, while virtual care also continues.
- Learn more about volunteering: www.philipazizcentre.ca/volunteering
Hike for Hospice (virtual + in-person)
Thank you to everyone who hiked, walked, sponsored, donated, volunteered, and/or contributed their special gift. At the event, we announced $49,469 raised in total for the Toronto Hike for Hospice Partners, including $32,600 for Emily’s House/PAC. Regardless of how COVID may impact in-person gatherings, this committed community keeps showing up in meaningful ways to provide hospice care!
Featured Donor: Mount Pleasant Group
Special thanks to Mount Pleasant Group. Brandon Garcia, Family Service Manager at Mount Pleasant Cemetery and Toronto Necropolis wrote: “The work each of you do at Emily’s House is so important for those at the end of their life journey. We are pleased that we are able to offer our support through activities like Hike for Hospice, as well as our work with HPCO (Hospice Palliative Care Ontario).”
Featured Donor: Kiwanis Club of Toronto Foundation
The Kiwanis Club of Toronto awarded a 2022 Arts and Culture grant to Emily’s House. The $10,000 cheque, presented by Kiwanian Steve Henry, a Member of Grants Committee, will help the Emily’s House Music Loaning Library to get up and running this summer, as part of our mobile in-home / in-hospice programming.
Keeping in Touch
For more frequent updates, visit or follow us:
- https://www.facebook.com/PhilipAzizCentre/
- www.philipazizcentre.ca
- www.emilyshouse.ca
- Twitter: @PAChospice_care
- Instagram: Emilyshousetoronto
How You Can Help
Donate online today, and support compassionate hospice care in your community:
http://www.philipazizcentre.ca/how-you-can-help/ or http://www.emilyshouse.ca/donate/
Emily’s House / Philip Aziz Centre for Hospice Care, 558 Gerrard St E Toronto, ON M4M 1X8.
To donate, visit: philipazizcentre.ca. Thank you for having a heart for hospice!
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