The Townsend Smith Foundation (TSF) accomplished the first of many steps to achieving specialized hospice care for North Halton following a recent agreement with the Hillcrest United Church to purchase the Church’s property and redevelop the site for a 10-bed community hospice facility. “As the saying goes, ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’, and today TSF secured long sought property in North Halton which with planning and approvals secured, will be developed into dedicated hospice care for those in need” shared Board Chair, Astrid Lakats.

While the Hillcrest property offers a unique opportunity for TSF to finally develop a project that will offer the type of health care that focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient’s pain and symptoms. It will support emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life for those in need. The charity fully understands that under current provincial guidelines more beds will be needed as soon as possible and TSF continues discussions about a facility at the Milton Education Village (MEV) Innovation Centre.

“Hillcrest United Church was built following a gift from a local family that still has deep ties to our Church and community, said Hillcrest United Church Council Chair, John Field. “We’re proud to continue that tradition of community philanthropy through our partnership with TSF. Hillcrest United Church will not cease to exist, but will continue as an active congregation during the construction, and will have a unique space within the hospice to continue our ministry in the community”, he added.

“Through our dedicated team of professionals and volunteers, TSF has and continues to work tirelessly to build access to hospice beds, programs, and supports that our community needs. With the achievement of property for our first site, TSF will ramp up our community engagement and fundraising efforts to ensure the ambition for specialized end of life care in North Halton is realized as quickly as possible”, summarized Lakats.

TSF’s hospice care will prioritize patient comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering but will also support the needs of family and friends in a supportive environment.

Those wishing to learn more about hospice care for North Halton, the work of the Townsend Smith Foundation, or to offer support through a generous gift or as a volunteer are encouraged to visit https://www.townsend-smith.ca/donate/.

About Townsend Smith Foundation

Working vigorously since 2012, the Townsend Smith Foundation, TSF, is a registered charitable organization with a unique mandate to provide the supports and education to those interested in hospice care, in the last stages of living, or bereaved. Our meaningful projects include free seminars to raise awareness for the need and benefit of hospice palliative care, support for caregivers, children and will planning, group discussions of death through death cafes, and honouring those who have passed through candlelight ceremony. TSF volunteers consistently engage our community on hospice care and its needs in North Halton with a key objective being to raise funds to build hospice facilities in North Halton.

For further information at Townsend Smith Foundation please contact
Ms. Astrid Lakats, Chair, Board of Directors
bod@townsend-smith.ca I 289.878.3407