News and Updates
Newsletters
Find out about what is happening at Mariposa House Hospice! Click on the newsletter link below:
Community Education
Join us for a monthly online information session where you can learn all about residential hospice care and grief & bereavement support. Discover our mission, meet some of our team, and better understand residential hospice care. Can’t make it this month? Don’t worry! Look ahead at future dates and discussion topics.
Connecting Caregivers to Resources and Support
Mon, Feb 24, 1:00 PM EST Join us for a monthly information session to learn about the role of family caregivers in hospice palliative care, what supports and resources are available and how to take care of yourself to avoid burn-out and caregiver fatigue. Caregivers are an important part of an individual’s care team and we want to support you in your role. There will be time to ask questions and get answers on topics related to caregiving. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/connecting-caregivers-to-resources-and-support-tickets-1226639805679?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile.
Join us online to talk about resources and support for caregivers who are supporting a loved one through a palliative diagnosis.
The Role of Social Work in Hospice Palliative Care
Mon, Mar 17, 2025, 1:00 PM Join us for a monthly information session to talk about how social workers can support you and your loved ones through a palliative diagnosis and at end-of-life. We will also discuss how social workers provide grief and bereavement support plus companionship and system navigation. We are here to answer your questions about residential hospice care and help you navigate your palliative experience. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-role-of-social-work-in-hospice-palliative-care-tickets-1225282816889?aff=oddtdtcreator
Join us online to talk about the ways in which social workers can support you on your journey.
Advanced Care Planning Awareness Month 2025
Mon, Apr 21, 2025, 1:00 PM Join us for a monthly information session to talk about residential hospice care and advanced care planning. This month’s topic focuses on exploring what is involved in creating a plan for future care needs and discussing your wishes with loved ones. Find out where tools and information are available for free! We are here to answer your questions about residential hospice care and help you make informed decisions about your future health care needs. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/advanced-care-planning-awareness-month-2025-tickets-1225259256419?aff=oddtdtcreator
Join us online to talk about Advanced Care Planning and Residential Hospice care.
WHAT IS NEW ON OUR INSTAGRAM @mariposahousehospice
Annual General Meeting
New Executive Director
Angel Tree 2023
The Angel Tree 2023 is officially closed!!
Our total came in at a remarkable $26,100!!! WOW!
Thank you EVERYONE & Merry Christmas!
Resignation of our Executive Director
It is with regret that the Board of Directors of Mariposa House Hospice announces the resignation of Executive Director, Annalise Stenekes. Annalise has served Mariposa House Hospice since May 2020 when she was hired as the first staff member. She oversaw hiring the initial group of staff and the opening of the hospice in February 2021. She met the challenges of moving into a new building with new staff, and opening during the pandemic, while creating a warm, compassionate and caring environment for residents and their families. She has overseen the expansion of the staff and volunteer team to offer the very best end of life care as well as welcoming continuing improvements to the facility. Annalise has represented Mariposa House Hospice well within the broader hospice sector and within the communities we serve, undertaking numerous speaking engagements and media appearances to enhance our profile and raise awareness of this valuable service.
The Board of Directors sincerely thank Annalise for her contributions and leadership in steering us through the opening and early years of operation. We wish her all the very best as she moves on from Mariposa House Hospice to pursue other opportunities. A recruitment process is currently underway to seek a successor for the Executive Director role.
2023 Non Profit or Charitable Organization Award
The MHH team is beyond grateful to be recognized by our local business community with the “2023 Non Profit or Charitable Organization” award in recognition of our “positive contribution to society”.
Annalise Stenekes (Executive Director) and John Mayo (Board member) accepted this honour on behalf of the entire staff and volunteer team at the annual awards ceremony last night.
Thank you to Orillia District Chamber of Commerce and all the sponsors of this event. And congratulations to all the award winners and nominees! What an amazing community 💗
New Board Member
The Board of Directors of Mariposa House Hospice is welcoming a new member to the team! Dr. Neda Rowhani-Seki has accepted a position on the Board that was made vacant when Dr. Si Lowry completed his year as “past president.”
Charitable non-profit organizations like Mariposa House Hospice are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors where members typically serve a 3-year term and may serve a second term.
This model ensures that various members of the community have an opportunity to be involved in oversight and managing risk for the organization which, in turn, maintains transparency and appropriate use of public and donated funds.
Dr. Lowry has been a tireless advocate for residential hospice care in the Couchiching area for many years. He was one of the founding Board members of the new organization which incorporated in 2017, and he has given countless presentations to raise awareness and funds so that the vision of Mariposa House Hospice could become a reality.
“It has been an honour and privilege to serve my community and to help make residential hospice care available to everyone in this area,” commented Lowry.
Going forward, Dr. Lowry is leading a sub-committee to install solar panels on the hospice building and continuing to help keep the grounds looking beautiful (in partnership with hospice staff, volunteers, and Scott’s Garden Centre).
Dr. Neda Rowhani-Seki brings extensive personal and professional experience to the board member role.
“My father was cared for at Mariposa House Hospice for the last weeks of his life,” Rowhani-Seki shared. “As a physician who has practised palliative care, I was very familiar with the hospice model and was very grateful we had this as an option for my dad for his end-of-life care.”
Dr. Rowhani-Seki went on to explain that serving as a volunteer on the board of directors provides her with “an opportunity to give back to the community” to help ensure that others receive the same care her family did when they needed it most.
Our local hospice residence is situated in Severn, just outside of Orillia’s municipal boundary, surrounded by forest. Residents in all the surrounding communities (Orillia, Severn, Ramara, Oro-Medonte, and Chippewas of Rama First Nation) can access quality end-of-life palliative care in this welcoming, home-like space where services are offered at no cost.
Our team is pleased to share a visual 2022 “year in review” to highlight the impact that Mariposa House Hospice is making in our community. Since opening our doors in February 2021, we have cared for 222 individuals while welcoming and supporting their family and friends.
The services we provide are offered at no charge to those receiving care, which is made possible by the ongoing generosity of local donors, businesses, and volunteers.
Thank you for believing in the “magic” of hospice care, and for being part of the Mariposa House Hospice community!
120 Residents & more than 600 loved ones cared for
In 2022, we welcomed 120 individuals to the hospice for end-of-life palliative care, and we estimate that at least 5 family members and friends came to the hospice to visit each resident. The specialized care offered in this peaceful, homelike space can make a difficult experience more bearable.
We also know that the experience of having a loved one stay at hospice can have a positive impact even on family members who are far away – it helps people to feel more at peace knowing the person who died was well cared for in a safe, comfortable setting.
“I have a newfound appreciation and great love for EVERYTHING you do. My heart is so full. I couldn’t imagine a more loving, comforting environment for my sister to make her transition. With all my heart, thank you for all that you did for my sister, and for all of us to experience this with her. It is a remarkable gift that keeps on giving. You reach so many people, not just those who are residents.”
1459 Days of Hospice Care Provided
Each day of hospice care that we provide diverts people from the hospital, which may not be the most appropriate setting for care. We offer an alternate setting when individuals can no longer safely be at home but may not require acute care services in hospital. This leads to significant savings for the health care system.
Our setting is smaller, with a maximum of 5 residents at a time, and it is designed to be more “home like” allowing family and friends the opportunity to stay overnight and spend time in our comfortable living room, kitchen area and garden.
For each day of hospice care, we fundraise approximately $450 to cover our operating costs.
10 Days is the Average Length of Stay
Most individuals who stay at the hospice for end-of-life palliative care are with us for 1-2 weeks. Some residents are with us for 1-2 months, and some for only a few hours. No matter how long they stay, there are two things that everyone has in common:
First, the resident receives expert symptom management and care from our staff and volunteers which helps to ensure a peaceful transition.
Second, the family and friends can step back from the caregiving role allowing them to “just be” with their loved one in those final days and hours.
“We could ask for no better care than what she received and in such a warm environment. You took the burden off of us, the family, without the guilt that might have been felt by us had she ended her days in a different place. You made us all feel welcome and at home.”
3000+ Volunteer Hours
Volunteers are part of the fabric of our organization, offering their time and talents to make an impact in our community. Hospice care would not be possible without the time and energy of more than 50 devoted volunteers in various roles. This includes Board members, Fundraising and Events, Office/Admin and Technology, Hospitality (Reception, Kitchen, Music, Reflexology), Gardening, Maintenance, and more. Thank you to each volunteer for their contribution to Mariposa House Hospice!
“I feel so fortunate to be a part of the Mariposa Hospice team! The nurses and support staff that I have met while volunteering are absolutely amazing. The care they give to the patients and their families is second to none!”