Major Events of Friends Hospice:

 

September, 2003                     First conversation about a Quaker hospice during a break at Interim Meeting

 

March, 2004                            Interest Group at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions

 

May to August, 2004                Organizing meetings occur frequently to consider how Friends are called to respond to this concern. In August the decision is made to found Friends Hospice Project of Philadelphia

 

August to September, 2004       Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and application for tax-exempt status filed. The founding Board of Trustees is named.

 

August 20th, 2004                   Friends Hospice is incorporated. In February 2005 the 501(c)(3) is approved retroactive to August

 

October, 2004                         First full meeting of the Board of Trustees at Pendle Hill. Board meets monthly thereafter.

 

January, 2005                         Friends Hospice Project moved into its first office at Friends Center - all volunteer staff

 

April, 2005                              Our first full-day workshop: “Caring for Friends at End-of-Life” is presented by board members and others at Plymouth Meeting.

 

July, 2005                              The first staff member starts on salary. Major areas of concentration are education, community outreach and fundraising.

 

October, 2005                         Our second workshop: “Caring for Friends at End-of-Life” is held at Plymouth Meeting.

 

November, 2005                      Friends Hospice moves to expanded offices at 706 West Girard Avenue. One full time, one part time staff members and a full time volunteer make up the team.

 

2006                                      A year of program development, workshops, community outreach and fundraising.

 

January to June 2007               Preparation, policy and program development in preparation for licensure and opening of a hospice agency to serve all who need services.

 

July 2007                               The license application for Friends Hospice is submitted to the State of Pennsylvania

 

July to November 2007             Program and policy development, staff hiring and training, systems design and testing continue

 

September 28, 2007                 Friends Hospice receives hospice licensure from Pennsylvania

 

December 4th, 2007                 Friends Hospice admits it’s first participant: a non-English speaking immigrant with end-stage cancer and new to Philadelphia

 

December 7th, 2007                 Friends Hospice receives Medicare certification.

“Caring for Friends at the End-of-Life” workshop. April 30th, 2005—Plymouth Meeting

Our History

Volunteer class training in personal care

    —June, 2007