My journey
Almost three decades ago I was a nineteen year old university student looking for something to support my medical school application. As I leafed through the Mississauga News I found a full page ad by Hospice of Peel asking for volunteers to sit with those travelling the journey of a life-limiting illness in their homes. In that moment the words on the page resonated with a calling within me that has carried me to this very day. I feel privileged, honoured, and humbled by that I've experienced in this, in my opinion, the most sacred of vocations.
For nineteen years I volunteered as an in-home visiting volunteer, with what is now known as Heart House Hospice. The experience has been life-changing and defining. Hearing people's stories, as well as their most intimate feelings about their living and dying, left an indelible imprint on how I engaged my life.
Following my volunteer tenure I have been fortunate to have served with such esteemed organizations and within such positions as the following:
In chronological order:
Hospice of Peel/Heart House Hospice - In-Home Hospice Volunteer
Special Events Coordinator - Hospice of Peel/Heart House Hospice
June Callwood Circle of Outstanding Volunteers - 2005
Mississauga Civic Award of Recognition - 2005
Residential Volunteer Coordinator - Hospice Simcoe
Coordinator of Recruitment and Training - Heart House Hospice/The Dorothy Ley Hospice/Acclaim Health
Director of Community and Volunteer Services - The Dorothy Ley Hospice
Outreach Coordinator - The Healing Cycle
Guest Speaker - University of Toronto, School of Music, Palliative Care
Consultant Trainer, Hospice Volunteer Training - Carpenter Hospice
Consultant Trainer, Hospice Volunteer Training - Bethell Hospice
Consultant Trainer, Hospice Volunteer Training - Ian Anderson House
Bereavement Peer Support Volunteer Trainer - Acclaim Health
Accreditation Peer Reviewer - Hospice Palliative Care Ontario
Online Hospice Volunteer Training Development - Hospice Palliative Care Ontario
Consultant, PCU/Hospice Staff Development - Trinidad and Tobago Palliative Care Society: Caura, Trinidad
Director of Community and Volunteer Services - Hospice Wellington
Consultant, Hospice Staff and Volunteer Education - St. Joseph's Hospice Sarnia Lambton
Consultant, Staff Education and Team Building - Margaret Bahen Hospice
Consultant, Erie St. Claire LHIN - Volunteer Coordinator Education
Palcare Instructor - BetterLiving Health and Community Services
Manager, Volunteer Services Hospice Residence for the Homeless - Hospice Toronto, Journey Home Hospice
Multicultural Outreach Coordinator - Lighthouse for Grieving Children
Case Manager - Kensington Health
A Heartfelt Thank You!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank so many wonderful people for their support, advocacy, and love in the honour of sharing this incredible journey. My work moving forward is to share all that I've learned in the hopes we can continue to learn and grow, as people, as a community and as a movement.
Warmest Regards,
Rami