CARLSBAD — Hospice of the North Coast — a nonprofit, community-based hospice organization — celebrated 30 years of serving North County at its new home in Carlsbad with a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 24.
Hospice staff, volunteers, city officials and the community helped Hospice of the North Coast inaugurate its first permanent location with an open house event to show off the new facility, located at 2525 Pio Pico Drive in northwest Carlsbad.
“After 30 years of leasing, we really wanted to make a statement to the community of our permanence,” hospice Executive Director Nerice Kaufman said. “It’s stressful work and it’s important that we have a beautiful, peaceful atmosphere for our clients and staff.”
The hospice organization moved into its new facilities in November from a leased space on Carlsbad’s Avenida Encinas. Kaufman noted that the new building’s warm interior is a “perfect fit” for the hospice organization.
“It feels good to be home; we’re very happy,” Kaufman said.
Open house attendees took self-guided tours of the facility, as well as sampled massages and aromatherapy treatments, two of the services offered by the hospice. A harpist provided a live performance and a taste of the musical therapy selections.
“It’s amazing to show off what we have here,” Judith Miller, director of volunteer services, said. “We are a very community-based hospice and we want to serve those who live in the area.”
Miller coordinates approximately 200 volunteers, who play an integral role in the services by Hospice of the North Coast.
“The volunteers are there not just for the patient, but also for the family,” Miller said. “It’s simple human kindness and it adds that certain something for the families who use our services.”
Bereavement opportunities are also an important component of the hospice’s services, which has sessions that are geared toward children, parents and families, Director of Bereavement Melanie Barker said.
“We’re trying to provide truly family-oriented services here,” Barker said. “We host them concurrently because when people are going through the grieving process, it can zap their energy.”
As the hospice’s staff and volunteers continue to make the new location a welcoming facility for clients, they are already looking forward to future expansion of their organization.
“Our dream is to have a small hospice care facility nearby,” Bobbie Hoder, president of the board, said. “When that happens, we’ll invite you to another ribbon cutting ceremony.”
For more information about the services offered by Hospice of the North Coast, visit hospicenorthcoast.org.
