Surrey Hospice Society has appointed a new executive director.
Beth Kish was most recently the executive director of the Foothills Country Hospice Society, an eight-bed facility located just outside Calgary.
Since 1986, the Surrey Hospice Society (SHS) has been offering not-for-profit, volunteer-based emotional and spiritual support for those dealing with life-ending issues and their loved ones.
Currently, SHS has 20 hospice beds at Laurel Place Residence in North Surrey, 10 beds at Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH), and nearly 150 volunteers offering support for those suffering from life-threatening illnesses. SHS provides youth and adult counselling programs, and also offers translation and clerical services.
"I think we have a great partnership with both Laurel Place and SMH", said Kish. "They have the medical services and we in turn offer the grief counseling," along with end-of-life care.
Often, family members have a hard time going back to the palliative care facility where their loved ones have been, Kish says, and therefore having the counselling offices in Guildford is something the clients appreciate.
And with a multicultural client base, the society has recently hired a Punjabi-speaking counsellor with the goal of broadening the scope of the counselling services offered.
SHS also operates a thrift store in Newton in partnership with the Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society, a funding partnership for both charitable organizations.
SHS is holding its annual fundraising gala at Eaglequest Coyote Creek on Oct. 19. One Enchanted Evening will feature a Champagne reception, dinner, and entertainment.
For more information about the upcoming gala, or how you can become a hospice volunteer, visit www.surreyhospice.com