Hi team, welcome to 'KCN Insider' #8!

Quick Links:

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Staff Resources (PW: 277)

Submit a Story from our House

Follow KCN on IG

Have your say! Click here and complete the annual staff survey

by Friday, August 17th

Save the Date: Annual General Meeting - Sept 18th 5:30 PM
Save the Date: Mandatory All Staff Meeting - Sept 26th 12:00 PM

Why We Do What We Do


You may have noticed the beautiful Lego bouquets around the house.


These were made and gifted to us by a family we cared for - a wonderful reminder of why we do what we do. :)

We have been nominated!

We have been nominated for Camp Keaton and Bereavement Counselling.

Voting closes August 16th! Choose bereavement as the category when prompted.

Cast Your Vote!

Our Well-being

A few weeks ago, the well-being committee shared the question, "how do you define well-being?"


Thank you to everyone who answered. The word cloud is made up of all the responses we received.


The committee now has a more pointed question for you to help shape the well-being programs here at Dr. Kemps House: 


What would you like incorporated here at Dr. Kemp's House that will contribute to your well-being? Click here to answer.


The results will be shared in the next KCN Insider.

KCN Staff Strut

Join us every Tuesday (weather permitting) at 12:30 p.m. in the backyard of Iris's house for a staff walk around the KCN grounds.


This is a time to stop, stretch, and socialize with fellow staff for a brief 10 minutes. Facilitated by Kat.



Mindfulness Session


Monday, September 16, 1:00 pm in the great room. Facilitated by Gabriele.

Lunch Spots

You may have noticed new outside furniture around the hospice grounds. A grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation made this possible. We are so excited to have so many sitting areas for our staff and families to enjoy.

Volunteer or Come and Say Hi

August 16th - 18th



Cactus Festival takes over the streets in Dundas and we will be there! Come see our booth and learn more about Keaton’s House - Paul Paletta Children’s Hospice.


August 23rd - 25th


For more than 30 years we have had a presence at the renowned Peach Fest. The Groves family and many friends took over our presence after Dr. Bob Kemp himself ran a candy booth. Today our booth is known for peach salsa, gelato, cookies, cupcakes and more!


This booth requires many volunteers (students also welcome). Shifts are about 3 hours and a lot of fun! If you are interested in volunteering, please email Lindsay events@kempcarenetwork.org. If you can't volunteer please come and see our booth to say hi!

Turkstra summer BBQs are almost over!

Freshly grilled burgers (veggie and beef) and hotdogs will be available for purchase on select Fridays in support of our hospice!


1050 Upper Wellington, Hamilton

11:30am to 1pm on the following dates:

  • August 23rd
  • September 6th


370 Green Road, Stoney Creek

11:30am to 1pm on the following dates:

  • August 16th
  • August 30th

Committees

We invite you to join one or more of our committees. These groups provide platforms for open dialogue, drive organizational change, or help plan fun events for our team.

Committee

Next Meeting

Register With

Social Committee

TBD

Claudia

Well-being Committee

September 10th 1 - 2pm

Gabriele or Suzanne

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee (EDIB)

September 12th 1 - 2pm


Suzanne

Residential Task Force

September 16th 1-2:30pm

Suzanne or Debbie

Staff Highlights

Welcome to KCN

Official announcements of new staff will be made by Nadine Bellhouse, HR Specialist, through emails.


We want to welcome Cindy Smith as she joins our healthcare team as the new permanent part-time RPN.



Get to know


Nimrah Baba, Donor Relations Specialist since July 2024


Q: What has your favorite experience been here since you started?


My favourite experience at Kemp Care Network has been the incredible time I spent at the Day Wellness program. Every week, I look forward to hearing about everyone’s week—their resilience in the face of illness is truly inspiring, and their strength brings tears to my eyes. The laughter that fills the room is contagious, and it’s a privilege to share in those moments.


A special highlight has been learning to play chess from Greg. I’d always wanted to learn but could never convince my cousins enough. Greg’s dedicated teaching has turned chess into something I now love, and our games have become a cherished part of my routine.


And, of course, I can’t forget to mention the baked treats! It was at the hospice that I had my very first butter tart—who knew something so small could be so delightful? Now, my days are not just about meaningful conversations and connections, but also about those buttery, sweet bites that make the day even more special. I’m so grateful for these experiences that bring both joy and learning into my life.


Q: What has surprised you the most about working here?


What has surprised me the most about working here is the incredible sense of dignity, respect, and care that Kemp Care Network offers to those at the end of their lives. Coming from the conflict-torn valley, Kashmir, where even the most basic dignities are often denied, it has been truly eye-opening and deeply gratifying to be part of an organization that upholds these values so steadfastly. I've spent much of my life working with marginalized groups, but my short time here has changed my heart even more. The way we honour every individual’s journey, even in their final moments, is inspiring.


Hospice care isn’t part of my culture, but witnessing the resilience, love, and unwavering support that flow through this place, I can confidently say it’s on par, if not better, with the care provided by family. This experience has opened up a new dream within me—a hope that one day, I might bring this level of compassionate care to my own community, where it’s so desperately needed.


The volunteers here have been another beautiful surprise. Whether they’re cooking in the kitchen and making our bellies crave those sweet bites, tending to the garden, or simply offering a kind word, their dedication is nothing short of inspiring. Watching them pour their hearts into every task, big or small, has shown me the true meaning of service. It’s as if every smile they share and every warm greeting I receive fills my heart with gratitude and makes this place feel like home.


I would say, working here doesn’t feel like a stressful job at all. It feels like I’ve come from one home to another. The sense of belonging, the warmth of the people around me, and the shared mission of caring for others make each day a joy. I am profoundly grateful to be part of this community, where every moment is a reminder of the power of kindness, love, and humanity.

If you have overdue assignments on Citation Canada (formerly HR downloads let's surprise Nadine when she comes back from vacation (Aug 19) and get as many as we can done! You can log in from here.


Please reach out to Nadine Bellhouse if you have any issues with the login.

"Struggling doesn't mean you are failing. It can be an entry point for change."

- Suzanne Conroy, KCN's Leadership Coach

Click here to book an appointment with Suzanne

If you have an update to share in the next KCN Insider, please send it to Jennifer Rowan at jrowan@kempcarenetwork.org

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