Doane House Hospice

Supporting those coping with a life-threatening illness

Martin Luther King stated that "life's most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?"

Every year across Ontario, over 13,500 volunteers are actively involved in this essential element of hospice care. These volunteers play a very instrumental role throughout our organization. They provide the best care with the key importance of the human element to help families and individuals experiencing a life-threatening illness.

At Doane House Hospice, we feel honored and privileged to have 170 volunteers who have not only given their time but also endless amounts of care and support.

Our volunteers are the foundation of Doane House Hospice. Whether you like to sit and chat, walk and talk, drive a car, help in the office or with fundraising events, we have a volunteer position that will best fit you.

Board of Directors: Made up of individuals within our community with a variety of skills such as, IT, marketing, fund development, lawyers, doctors and life experiences who come together to provide direction for our organization.

Client Service: Work with the support ofour professional staff to ensure the client’s and their families receive the highest quality care.

Event Volunteers: Work with the committee members or serve on the committee helping to raise funds and support our programs.

Administration Committee: Provides administrative assistant to the staff at Doane House. Responsibilities include filing, input of data into the computer system and mailing out newsletters.

Drivers: Pick up client’s from their home to attend the Oasis day program at Doane House. The driver returns and takes the client’s back home when the program has ended.

Through PalCare Network of York Region, we prepare our client service volunteers by providing a thirty hour certificate program on relevant topics. The training will ensure that our clients receive exceptional care by the hands of a Doane House volunteer.

Courses are held twice yearly at the York Regional Newmarket Health Centre and twice yearly in Richmond Hill. Please view latest schedules below for more details.

Palcare Network for York Region - Core Concepts in Palliative Care Courses

Core Concepts Level One Topics
(Core training for all client volunteer’s):

Introduction to palliative care core concepts
Culture & Ethics
Communication Skills
Complementary Therapies/Care for Caregiver
Pain and Symptom Management
Personal Perspectives
Spiritual Issues in Palliative Care
Grief and Bereavement
Infectious Disease & Delegated Acts
Introduction to Family Dynamics/ Program Review

View Schedule

Core Concepts Level Two: (Training dates TBA)

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please complete our online volunteer application form. Once you have completed the form, please feel free to drop the application off at Doane House. You can also mail it to the address on the form or fax it to (905) 967-0593. You will be contacted as soon as possible by the coordinator of volunteer services.

Our Volunteers...

The right to be treated as a co-worker, not just free help.
The right to a suitable assignment with consideration for personal preference, temperament, life experiences and education.
The right to know as much as possible about the agency or service: its policies, its people and its programs.
The right to training for the job – training that is thoughtfully planned and effectively presented.
The right to continuing education on the job including a follow-up to initial training and information about new developments and training for greater responsibility.
The right to sound guidance and direction by someone who is experienced, patient, well informed and thoughtful and who has the time to invest in giving guidance.
The right to a place to work – an orderly, designated place, conducive to work and worthy of the job to be done.
The right to promotion and a variety of experiences through: advancement of assignments of more responsibility, transfer from one activity to another and/or special assignment.
The right to be heard – to have a part in planning, to feel free to make suggestions, to have respect shown for an honest opinion.
The right of recognition in the form of promotion and awards, through day-by-day expressions of appreciation and, most importantly, by being treated as a bona fide worker.

Select from the drop down list below.