Hospice News
Citation of Honor
 Life
in the inner city is tough. Discrimination and sufferings
can batter the spirit, creating mistrust and cynicism. These
attitudes often surface when medical care is needed. which
may explain why many inner-city residents do not avail themselves
of hospice services. Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative
Care Center (SBHPCC) wanted to change that. With a grant
from the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, the Covenant
of Churches project launches.
Recognizing that churches are often the hubs of support
in the inner city, SBHPCC management met with key religious
leaders in the greater Newark area and surrounding communities
to discuss how best to conduct education on end-of-life issues.
At individual planning meetings held in the spring and summer
of 2003 for church leadership and members, volunteer recruitment
and the specifics of hospice services were discussed. The
Covenant of Churches met twice to share member perceptions
of hospice and to guide future educational sessions. A six-hour
training session was held in October of 2003; two participants
from each of the six churches attended. Ongoing presentations
during Sunday services and a volunteer support group held
monthly at Bethany Baptist Church help reinforce the concept
of end-of-life care.
Loss is a way of life in the inner city, and bereavement
needs are complex. A per diem social worker was hired to
address these needs, offering Saturday hours that are convenient
for working families. A support group for parents and children
was held in November and outreach to schools is planned for
this year. Forty-five families and SBHPCC staff attended
a memorial service of songs, music and readings held at Bethany
Church in October 2003.
The opening of SBHPCC's hospice inpatient unit at Newark
Beth Israel Medical Center in February of 2003 helped to
extend care to the inner city by providing an oasis of comfort
and compassion when patients were unable to be cared for
at home.
Referrals from targeted communities increased from 112 in
2002 to 157 in 2003; the percentage of African-American patients
also increased significantly. To date, 150 volunteers have
been trained at Bethany Baptist Church and are available
to assist families from Covenant member churches.
The strength and integrity of the residents of the inner
city has been demonstrated in their commitment to this project.
Member churches have made financial donations and hosted
fundraising events to benefit the project.
The Covenant of Churches makes it possible for young mothers
to say goodbye to their children, for elderly couples to
stay together in the comfort of their own homes. Children
with multiple losses learn to talk about their feelings.
Terminally ill patients without a safe place to stay are
being cared for in the inpatient unit.
The Covenant of Churches is a model that can be replicated
in any community where the church is a center of community
life. Future plans include expansion into the Hispanic community,
the fastest growing part of the population in the country.
Lorraine Sciara, SBHPCC executive director, offers helpful
guidelines for creating a successful faith-based partnership:
- Maintain a presence - The partnership should
be visible in community workplaces, cultural centers, and
places of worship.
- Recognize your church partners- SBHPCC honors
each participating church partners annually.
- Stay committed - Despite a period of financial
difficulty in the organization, Sciara and her management
team chose to maintain the Bethany Church office.
INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS
- Joint Clergy- Hospice Leadership
- Use of Church Staff and Volunteers
- Broad Bereavement Support
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