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MARCH 2015
InTouch
N EWSL E T T E R
Letter from our
Chief Executive
Officer
As we look toward
a season of
revitalization, growth
and warmth, I look
forward to what spring
will bring to Pathways
Hospice. I look forward
to seeing our Veterans
Memorial Garden and vegetable gardens
bloom. Maintained by volunteers, these
gardens bring great comfort and support
to patients and their families. I also look
forward to the continued growth of our
staff that continues to work hard to meet
our community’s needs by providing high
quality care and services. In this issue, you
will meet our two new Clinical Liaisons,
Adam and Allison.
But just like the Colorado spring weather
that is extremely unpredictable, there can
be dark and challenging days ahead—
particularly for those who have lost a loved
one—making it difficult to happily look
forward. In spring, we honor and remember
loved ones on Memorial Day. It is a day
to remember and honor all of those we
have loved and lost. Grief is a complex
and difficult experience, and it can be
challenging to find purpose and renewal in
the midst of life’s changing seasons.
I am a fundraiser by trade. I am also a woman, a wife, a
daughter, and a friend. My journey to Pathways Hospice began
when I was 11.
I am privileged and proud to be a member of the not-for-profit
world. It has given me so many wonderful opportunities to
meet some truly incredible and gifted people—colleagues,
donors, those in need. It has defined my life in a way I would
Marsha Sesskin
not understand for many years. Giving people the opportunity
New Development
to make a contribution is truly the greatest gift you can give
Coordinator
someone. The way their eyes light up when they know they
have made a contribution that will help someone less fortunate or leave a legacy
behind to help their children and children’s children understand the importance of
these gestures.
It is this passion that has kept propelling me forward in my career—the career
that chose me. It started when I was a child watching the Jerry Lewis Telethon on
Labor Day weekend. Each year I would be glued to the television until my mother
made me go to bed. But I wouldn’t—not until she let me call in my pledge. That
was the most exciting part.
So a fundraiser I became—working for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, then a
large Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility, a large Community Center and finally an
institution of higher learning. But passion is a funny thing. It can wax and wane
even under the most impassioned circumstances.
Please keep in mind that hospice care
is not only about providing physical
and emotional care for patients, it also
encompasses care for families and friends.
Pathways Hospice offers a number of Grief
& Loss programs for adults and children
trying to navigate those difficult and
complex feelings.
When my father passed suddenly and my mother became ill, the doctor suggested
hospice. Like so many people, I thought these services were reserved for the final
stages of life, possibly the last few days as people pass and make this transition.
I have never been so relieved to be wrong. The care that my mother received in
the last six months of her life from caring, compassionate hospice workers enabled
me to move through the process with her. She was able to maintain her dignity,
receive so much love and care and pass peacefully. They were there for me and my
family before, during and after this difficult time.
We are here to assist you—or anyone you
know who might need our support. We
want to help you spring forward to a more
comfortable place.
Once you have experienced this gift it doesn’t leave you. You want to share it with
everyone—to let the world know that this organization exists. I have kept this
with me all these years.
Warmly,
Evan Hyatt
Chief Executive Officer
Pathways Hospice
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All roads led me to Pathways
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As my husband and I transitioned from Long Island in New York to Fort Collins,
Colorado a mere six months ago, I said to him, “When we get to Fort Collins I
would like to continue working—I would love to work for hospice”. He smiled and
said “That sounds perfect for you”. So when I went online to look for fundraising
positions and saw Pathways Hospice was looking for a development professional I
knew I had come full circle. My mom must be so proud.
PAT H WAY S H O S P I C E I N - TO U C H N E W S L E T T E R M A R C H 2 0 1 5
Board Member
Highlight:
Pathways Hospice
Thanks John Blair
John Blair, a
long-time friend
and supporter of
Pathways Hospice,
will be completing
his term at the
end of March as
a member of the
Pathways Hospice Board of Directors.
During his 12 years on the board, John
served as President and Chair of the
Finance Committee. He was instrumental
in raising funds for the Grief Counseling
Center and has been a consistent donor
to Pathways as well.
“We are so grateful to John for devoting
his time, talent and wisdom for so
many years,” said CEO Evan Hyatt. “His
commitment helped make a difference
to our programs at Pathways Hospice.”
Over $23,800
Raised
on Colorado
Gives Day!
One day, 111 generous donors
and over $23,800 in donations
were made to Pathways
Hospice in a short 24-hour
time period! We are incredibly
grateful for the generous
support from our community
on Colorado Gives Day,
December 9, 2014. Thank you
for choosing to “give where
you live” and for proving what
an impact one day can make
when communities unite for
a good cause.
They Want to Change
How the World
Looks at Hospice Care…
Meet Clinical
Liasions
Adam and Allison
Most people think that one enters hospice to
Allison Easterling
Adam Federer
die. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Clinical Liaison, RN
Clinical Liaison, RN
Hospice serves to celebrate life and make sure
we spend our final days to their fullest by devoting them to quality time with loved ones
and even fulfilling final wishes in a comfortable and compassionate environment. We like
to believe that hospice sheds a bright light on what may otherwise be a dark time for
patients and their loved ones.
Adam Federer, RN, and Allison Easterling, RN, are two bright lights at Pathways Hospice.
Adam and Allison recently started as Clinical Liaisons at Pathways. Their awakening to
the benefits of hospice care came at a young age for each of them. For Allison, it was
the personal experience of helping her grandmother navigate her last year of life after
being diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. “During this very sacred and
loving time, I remember feeling ‘called’ and honestly could not think of doing anything
else with my life than working for hospice,” Allison said.
For Adam, it was a professional journey through different administrative and nursing
positions in Long Term Care that led him to Pathways. “From day one I have been
incredibly impressed with the sense of family and team work that Pathways fosters
and encourages,” shared Adam. “Their emphasis has been to make sure that the staff
understands the role and importance of everyone on our team and how important it is
to provide high quality patient centered care to all of our patients.”
As Clinical Liaisons, Adam and Allison will work to educate our community
about Pathways services and the resources that are available through hospice and
palliative care.
Adam and Allison have stepped into their new roles with enthusiasm, new ideas and
vigor to interact with our community and help them to see the bright light. “I want
to see Pathways ‘bridge the gap’ between quality and quantity of life and taking away
the negative stigma and connotation that is too often associated with hospice and
palliative care,” said Allison. “Hospice is about how we live and how we want to live
our remaining days. I fully believe our team at Pathways can help people live more
comfortably but the conversation has to happen early and that’s my charge ‘my passion
and calling’ to have that conversation. “
They are as passionate about their personal lives, as they are about their professional
lives. When not working, Adam likes to play the drums with his band Winchester Holiday;
work in his wood shop creating furniture and cutting boards; snowboarding and above
all, spending time with him wife Katie, his dog Max and cat Jax.
Allison’s passion outside of Pathways is yoga, particularly Ashtanga. She would love to
find a way to incorporate her love of yoga into her passion for hospice and palliative
care. She also enjoys camping, rock climbing, paddleboarding, and hiking and biking
with her puppy, Louie.
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“You are a light at the end of the
end of a dark tunnel . Thank you for
being so willing to try and help this
ailing Hospice .”
– Daphne Clark
Pathways Hospice Continues
to Bring Compassionate
Palliative Care to Africa
Since 2008, Pathways Hospice has partnered
with Zimbabwe’s Bulawayo Island Hospice to
provide financial and medical resources, as
well as build hope and encouragement in endof-life care in the southern Africa country.
Can you dig it?
Pathways Hospice is looking for
volunteers with a green thumb who
can help nurture and maintain the
vegetable and flower gardens that
adorn our facility at 305 Carpenter
Road in Fort Collins. We greatly
value this time and contribution
of talent to our center. Our garden
volunteers feel rewarded knowing
their work contributes to the
relaxation, enjoyment and health
of Pathways patients. It’s also
a great way to enjoy the beautiful
weather–and maybe get a
suntan, too!
If you are interested in becoming
a part of our vital volunteer
community by helping us maintain
the gardens, contact Deb Polk at
[email protected].
Bulawayo Island Hospice Service staff, left to
right: Noble Choruma, Social Worker; Miltah
Nyathi, Nurse; Simba Shoko, General Hand; Helen
Rusamo, Nurse; Adelaide Nyathi, Senior Nurse;
Elijah Mandipira, Messenger/Reception; Lindiwe
Ndlovu, Nurse; Nomvelo Zaranyika, Administrator.
Aspects of the partnership are administered by
Global Partners in Care (previously known as
FHSSA-the Foundation for Hospices in SubSaharan Africa). Global Partners in Care assists
more than 80 U.S. hospice partners who have
relationships with hospice and palliative care
organizations throughout developing areas.
The Bulawayo Island Hospice continues to
need our help.
The Bulawayo Island Hospice typically serves more than 150 patients every month
with a staff of only eight. In Zimbabwe, 15% of adults are infected with AIDS and
there are 975,000 orphans and vulnerable children. The political unrest has further
eroded support systems.
“There is so much lacking that it is hard to know how to start building again. The
basic needs are quality personnel, with reasonable remuneration, reliable cars with
maintenance and fuel,” said Daphne Clark, retired Director of Bulawayo Island Hospice.
The Pathways Hospice African Partners in Care Committee raises funds for Bulawayo
Island Hospice, exchanges information with our partner and increases awareness about
the partnership locally.
We would appreciate your support of our work on behalf of Bulawayo Island Hospice.
Please consider helping in one of the following ways:
• Financial: Donations can be made to Bulawayo Island Hospice and are processed by
Global Partners in Care, a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization; ninety percent of all
donations go directly to the beneficiary,
• Introductions: Spread awareness to individuals or organizations with an interest in
our mission,
• Time or ideas: Join the African Partners in Care Committee to shape our work.
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PAT H WAY S H O S P I C E I N - TO U C H N E W S L E T T E R M A R C H 2 0 1 5
NEWLY BEREAVED SUPPORT GROUP
Surviving the early days of loss, for
grieving persons in the first months
of grief. $30 fee for group.
Fee is waived for hospice families
Registration required.
Tuesdays:
March 3, 10, 17 6:00 – 7:30 pm
April 7, 14, 21 3:30 – 5:00 pm
May 5, 12, 19 6:00 – 7:30 pm
June 2, 9, 16 6:00 – 7:30 pm
ON OUR OWN: A WIDOWED
PERSON’S DISCUSSION GROUP
This ongoing group offers an
opportunity to find practical guidance
and hope. You may share your story,
exchange coping skills and receive
encouragement from other people
who are rebuilding their lives after
the death of a spouse. No fee, no
registration required.
Meets the second Wednesday
each month at 6:30 pm
March 11: Stepping Out:
Not Walking the Journey Alone
April 8: Ways to spring cleaning…
and why do it?
May 13: Dealing with Highs and Lows
June 10: Choosing to Live:
Getting Better and Being Well
Upcoming
Support Groups
LIVING WITH LOSS:
SELF CARE AND RITUALS
This group provides information and
hands-on experiences to explore options
for self-care. Open to anyone who is
coping with the challenges of grief.
Tuesday, March 24
BEREAVED PARENTS SUPPORT GROUP
A group designed to support parents who
have experienced the death of a child.
Participants will share ideas and learn
ways to manage the intensity of their
grief process. This is a 5 week group.
Summer Memorial
and Butterfly Release
The community is invited to attend our
Annual Summer Memorial Service to
support those grieving with an evening
of encouragement and healing.
The event is free to attend. Butterflies
can be purchased for $20.00 to be
released in honor of loved ones.
The funds benefit Pathways Hospice
programs and services.
$50/person $75/couple.
Registration required by March 20, 2015.
Butterfly reservations can be
made by calling (970) 663-3500.
Wednesdays:
March 25 – April 22
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Saturday, July 18
5:30 pm
Memorial Day:
Make it a Day to Honor and
Remember All Your Loved Ones
Monday, May 25 marks the day that our nation publicly shows our respect for
those who lost their lives in the line of duty. However, as a day of remembrance,
it compels those who have lost loved ones, under any circumstance, to take a
moment to honor and remember them.
Memorial donations can be a unique and special way to remember your passed
loved ones. They honor those who have died while helping to make a difference
in the lives of others. Memorial contributions help provide much needed support
for Pathways Hospice programs and services in our community. So, this coming
Memorial Day, consider making a donation in memory of a loved one to Pathways
Hospice. Donations can be made through the Pathways Hospice website, by phone
or by mail. Your contributions make a difference in the lives of those in need.
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Communit
y
Library
The Pathways Libr
ary is a
free, community
reso
containing a coll urce—
ection of
over 1,200 boo
ks available to
adults, teens,
and children.
Books can be che
cked out during
the business hou
rs of 8am-5pm
Monday through
Friday.
Book requests
or questions
can be directed
library@pathway to
s-care.org
305 Carpenter
Road
Fort Collins, CO
80525
(970) 663-3500
www.pathway
s-care.org
Pictured above: Nancy Beardslee, Louise Vance, Sally Korshak.
The “Lovely Library Ladies”
They’re Better Than a Google Search
Warmly referred to as the “Lovely Library Ladies,” Louise, Nancy
and Sally volunteer in the Pathways Community Library. They
love what they do, they care about what they do and they are
good at it. Although their roads to Pathways may have been
different, what they all have in common is their willingness and
devotion to give back and help others.
“Pathways Hospice is an absolutely wonderful caring place,” said
Louise. “Staff members are able to carry out their responsibilities
in a loving, caring, professional manner and yet also care for,
respect, and laugh with their volunteers.”
Each of the Lovely Library Ladies has been volunteering at
the Pathways Library for nearly ten years. Together, they fully
manage the library. Their days are spent arranging and ordering
books; accepting and sorting book donations; assisting staff in
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They also work to spread the
word about Pathways’ excellent
resource that is available to
the entire community. Most
recently, bookmarks were
designed to raise awareness
about the Pathways library.
The bookmarks are currently
being distributed throughout
the three Poudre River Public
Library (PRPL) branches in
Fort Collins. Pathways also has
an internal link on the PRPL
system visitors can access.
locating books appropriate for their clients and groups
that they are facilitating; keeping track of borrowed books;
maintaining an updated list on the computer and hard copies
of all of our resources.
The Pathways Community Library has 1,200 books. However,
Louise, Nancy and Sally can help visitors find the book or other
resource that is best for them. Whether they are trying to better
understand an illness or need a book to help a child understand
death, that is the time that the human touch and understanding
given by our Lovely Library Ladies is better than a Google search.
We encourage you to visit the library. And please say hi to our
amazing and Lovely Library Ladies!
PAT H WAY S H O S P I C E I N - TO U C H N E W S L E T T E R M A R C H 2 0 1 5
Thank You to Those That
Grant Us the Privilege of
Helping Others
Pathways Hospice was fortunate to receive grants from various
partners that help us continue to provide expert medical and
comfort care to individuals navigating the last months of life.
We are so grateful for their generosity and support.
Fall Gannett Foundation Award – Pathways Hospice received
$1,100 from The Coloradoan via their Fall Gannett Foundation
Award grants. Pathways was one of four organizations to be
selected out of 18 applicants that they felt served the greater
good of our community.
Pictured above: Kathy Jack Romero, President & Publisher of the Coloradoan;
Evan Hyatt, CEO of Pathways Hospice; and Sarah Armstrong, Marketing and
Communications Manager of the Coloradoan
The Edmund T. and Eleanor Quick Foundation – Pathways
Hospice was gifted $4,332 to support “Children With a Life
Limiting Illness,” a program that provides benefits in the home for children with a life limiting illness and allows families to seek
curative treatment while the child is receiving palliative care from Pathways Hospice.
GroupGives of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado – A grant for $1,500 was bestowed to Pathways Hospice that will be
used to provide charity hospice care to patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or without the financial means to pay for care.
Virginia W. Hill Foundation – The Foundation awarded Pathways our request of $10,000 to go toward general operating support, with a
portion of the funds specifically serving to improve access to quality healthcare for those with limited financial means.
The Labyrinth
A Pathway to Healing
The labyrinth is often seen as a metaphor for our spiritual life
journey; many twists and turns but no dead ends. We always
have the opportunity to make another choice in life or “turn”
in the labyrinth. For those grieving or facing difficult times, the
labyrinth provides an outside space for walking prayer and the
opportunity to find insight into their own journey.
Pathways Hospice is proud to have a healing, walking Labyrinth
located on the east side of the Hospice building at 305
Carpenter Road. Constructed in the fall of 2005, it was built in
the style of the one at the great cathedral in Chartres, France.
The labyrinth is designed to help you focus on your path, one
step at a time. It works because it prompts you to concentrate
on the course before you, your pace slows, your breathing
deepens and your mind becomes clearer as you let go of stress.
Some frequent labyrinth users call the experience a meditation
in motion, fusing movement and inner calm.
We invite you to walk the labyrinth. Along your walk we
hope you’ll open your mind and find quiet moments to heal
your heart. The labyrinth is open year-round to the entire
community. Please visit the labyrinth as a special place to
return to again and again.
FINDING PEACE: LABYRINTHS AND MEDITATION
Take time to care for yourself using the practice of
meditation and walking the labyrinth. These are tools used
to help individuals find peace during difficult times.
No previous experience necessary—come to be a learner
and receive support. $10 per person.
Tuesday, May 26
5:30 – 7:30 pm
A COMMUNITY-BASED NON-PROFIT AGENCY
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Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 403
Fort Collins, CO
305 Carpenter Road
Fort Collins, CO 80525