HopeHealth

04/30/2026

“Music touches us in a different way than words do.”

In homes, care facilities and at the bedside, you can follow the sound of music — and at the other end, you’ll find our talented hospice volunteers.

As we close out National Volunteer Month, we’re proud to introduce a few of them.

From bedside singers to a teenage pianist, HopeHealth volunteers use music to create connection, spark memory and bring comfort to patients and families at the end of life.

04/30/2026

We’re honored to recognize HopeHealth board member Carie Bailey as she presents a generous sponsorship from Bank of Canton in support of our 50th anniversary gala. Thank you for helping us continue our mission and make a lasting impact in our community!

04/30/2026

As we look ahead to our 50th Anniversary Gala on May 21, we are deeply grateful to the incredible lead sponsors helping make this milestone celebration possible.

✨ Presenting Sponsor ($50K)
Robbins Family

✨ Angel Sponsor ($25K)
Brown University Health

✨ Hope Sponsor ($15K)
Samuel M. & Ann S. Mencoff

✨ Gratitude Sponsors ($10K)
Maria Appenfeller, RN, CHPN & Rex W. Appenfeller, MD
Bristol County Savings Bank
Husch Blackwell
Edward W. Martin, MD & Linda Resnik, PhD

Your generosity supports 50 years of compassion, care, and community impact—and helps ensure many more to come. We can’t wait to celebrate together on May 22!

04/30/2026

In the wake of recent tragedies in Rhode Island, the First Unitarian Church of Providence reached out to HopeHealth for support in helping their community navigate grief.

Responding in moments like these is a core part of our mission. Through our Community Crisis Interventions, our hospice counselors provide guidance, education, and compassionate presence when loss impacts a group—whether in a faith community, workplace, school, or beyond.

We’re grateful to our grief counselor, John Goncalves, for leading a meaningful presentation, “Communicative Grief & Society.” His session explored how people express and process grief within the context of culture, relationships, and societal expectations—while addressing common barriers like stigma, disenfranchised grief, and the fear of burdening others.

He also shared practical tools to help individuals communicate their grief, find supportive spaces, set boundaries, and stay connected—along with resources to ensure people can access the care and support they need.

We’re honored to stand alongside our community, offering support, connection, and care when it’s needed most. 💙

04/29/2026

Spring is in bloom in our gallery 🌸

We’re featuring the vibrant work of Sarah Hirsch, a painter, writer, and teacher inspired by life near the sea in Wickford, RI.

Her pieces are now on display at the HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center (first-floor gallery), part of our ongoing partnership with Public Art Works.

04/29/2026

“I took her hands in mine, and together we danced, swaying to the music.”

What does it mean to truly be present for someone at the end of life? For HopeHealth volunteer Lisa Fortune Creeden, it meant showing up again and again for Margaret, a patient living with advanced dementia.

And it meant being there when, one afternoon, music changed everything.

We’re honored to share this beautiful story of connection, memory, and presence at the end of life.

For months, a HopeHealth volunteer earned the trust and affection of a patient with dementia. One afternoon, music unlocked memory, language — and...

04/27/2026

“Grief is a story of love looking for a place to go.”

We’re honored that HopeHealth’s Grief Counselor, Wilson Hood, MDiv, is featured in a recent article by Harvard Divinity School exploring this deeply human experience.

Grief is not something to fix—it’s something to honor. It speaks to the love that remains, even after loss .

📖 Read more:

Students and alumni at Harvard Divinity School are transforming how we understand and respond to grief—bringing compassion, community, and new pathways to healing.

04/24/2026

What a special night! We celebrated our volunteers for milestone anniversaries, incredible hours of service (gold, silver, and bronze), and honored our Volunteer of the Year, Maria Finucane. Thank you for the passion and heart you bring every day!

04/23/2026

Our doctor's have the moves! It was an honor to be a part of Dancing with the Doctors RI last week, which raised $140,000 to benefit RIPHI Open Door Health. Our very own Dr. Chrissy Nevins-Herbert was the MC of the event, and our Chief Medical Officer Dr. Edward Martin was a judge.

04/23/2026

Don’t miss your chance to celebrate 50 years of hope with us!

Join HopeHealth’s 50th Anniversary Gala on May 21, 2026 at the WaterFire Arts Center for an unforgettable evening of impact, gratitude, and community.

⏰ RSVP by April 30 to secure your spot!

Reserve your place today:

Celebrate 50 years of HopeHealth on May 21, 2026! Join us for an anniversary gala honoring five decades of care, compassion, and community.

04/22/2026

Think about a time when you were having a hard week, and a friend stopped by and made everything feel a little lighter. That’s the kind of connection our companionship volunteers offer to patients living with serious illness.

Just ask volunteer Ron Winde, who visits Paul every Wednesday. “It brightens my week just as much as his,” Ron shares.

During their visits, Ron might talk about their shared memories of Italy—good food, favorite places—while Paul listens and responds in his own way. Other days, they’ll flip through a picture book or sit side by side watching a show. There’s no pressure, no expectations—just presence, kindness, and a quiet understanding between them.

And in those simple moments, you can see it: a sense of ease, a spark of joy, a reminder that no one is alone.

If you’d like to provide this kind of connection, we encourage you to apply at HopeHealthCo.org/VolunteerToday.

04/21/2026

There’s something special about the comfort a wagging tail can bring 💛

Our pet therapy volunteer team is making a real difference—bringing joy, connection, and calm to people who need it most. From brightening tough days to creating meaningful moments, their impact is powerful.

We’re proud to see their work recognized in this feature by The Independent: https://www.independentri.com/news/article_efd99d54-ec7d-471b-be8a-2950801a9561.html

Interested in making a difference with your own four-legged companion? 🐶 Learn more and join our volunteer team: HopeHealthCo.org/VolunteerToday

If you’re a canine owner, you know that when you’re going through mental or physical challenges or even just having a bad day, there’s nothing that works as quickly or