Hospice News
Innovative
Community Hospice Partnership
Garners National Award
The Covenant of Churches, a community outreach
program developed by Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative
Care Center (SBHPCC) along with clergy from the greater Newark
area, is one of ten hospice programs nationwide to be recognized
by the American Hospital Association (AHA) and other national
organizations for innovation in providing end-of-life care.
At a recent ceremony held at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
in Newark, Rick Pollack, Executive Vice President of the
AHA presented the Covenant of Churches with a Circle of Life
Citation of Honor, describing the program as “a model
of inspiration for hospices across the country.”
A collaborative effort between SBHPCC and clergy throughout
Newark, Irvington and East Orange, the Covenant of Churches
program is designed to create awareness of and access to
hospice services for inner city residents. Lorraine Sciara,
Executive Director of SBHPCC, explains, “In this culture
loss is a way of life, and the rampant mistrust and cynicism
people experience are often bigger than the desire to obtain
medical and bereavement assistance.”
Funded through a grant from The Healthcare Foundation of
New Jersey, the Covenant of Churches conducts outreach by:
• Training hospice volunteers from participating churches
who provide support and assistance to patients and families
coping with advanced illness.
• Presenting informational programs on hospice during
church services.
• Providing access to social work services through
a per diem social worker hired to meet with grieving family
members
• Holding support groups for parents and children;
these groups are especially helpful for children dealing
with multiple losses.
• Participating in an annual Memorial Service with
songs, music and readings.
During the awards presentation, Rev. Dr. W.H.
Tolbert, Pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Newark, drew
cheers from the audience as he spoke of the importance of
the church being actively involved in the community “The
church still doesn’t understand that it has to leave
its walls…Unless you’re part of the community
you’re not doing anything…All of us need to
light up and do whatever helps humanity outside the church
walls.”
Rev. Dr. Eric Beckham, M.Div., Pastor of Clear View Baptist
Church in Newark and a member of the SBHPCC Board of Trustees,
said that the collaboration gives churches and community
members the opportunity to be “on the front line, dealing
with people wherever they are while they’re dealing
with the crisis of their lives.”
The program has had measurable results. Ms. Sciara explains, “When
we began the Covenant of Churches, only 12% of the population
we served was African American. Today African Americans comprise
20% of our patients, as compared with the national average
of 8%.”
She says the program continues to grow as member churches
make financial donations and host fundraising events to benefit
the project, and that plans are underway for expansion into
the Hispanic community.
Mamie Bridgeforth, Council Member for the City of Newark,
summed up the success of the unique collaboration, “When
it’s time to go home, you make it a time of joy and
happiness. You give love and hope from your hearts…You
have not missed the mark.”
For more information on hospice services, volunteer opportunities
and fundraising events, call (973) 322-4800.
Standing with Mr. Pollack are (l. to r.) Rev.
Dr. W.H. Tolbert, pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Newark;
Mamie Bridgeforth, Council Member for the City of Newark;
Fr. James McConnell, SMA, Pastor of Queen of Angels Church
in Newark; Lorraine Sciara, Executive Director of SBHPCC;
Rev. Eric Beckham, N.Div., Pastor of Clear View Baptist Church
in Newark; and Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Garland, Chaplain of SBHPCC.
Describing the Covenant of Churches as “a
model of inspiration for hospices across the country,” Rick
Pollack, Executive Vice President of the American Hospital
Association, (fourth from left), presented a Circle of Life
Citation of Honor to organization representatives for their
innovative approach to end-of-life care.
The Covenant of Churches is a community outreach
program developed by Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative
Care Center (SBHPCC) along with clergy from the greater Newark
area to create awareness of and access to hospice and bereavement
services for inner city residents.
As a result of the program, African Americans
comprise 20% of the patients served at SBHPCC, as compared
with the national average of 8%.
For more information on hospice services, volunteer
opportunities and fundraising events, call (973)
322-4800.
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