FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2022
CONTACT:
Amy Higgs
Public Relations Manager
502.552.2140
ahiggs@hosparus.org
(LOUISVILLE, KY) — In partnership with the YMCA of Greater Louisville, Hosparus Health today held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Resource Center at the Republic Bank Foundation YMCA, located at 1720 W. Broadway. This expansion will allow the not-for-profit hospice and palliative care organization to further extend its services to communities in West Louisville. The new location is central to the California, Russell, Parkland and other underserved West Louisville neighborhoods.
The Resource Center will offer a variety of grief services by appointment for people of all ages, including counseling for grief due to loss, support groups for traumatic loss, and education on the grief process. Area residents can also access resources on end-of-life care, serious illness care and advance care planning. The office will also offer a palliative care consult appointments one day a week to serve medically complex patients. Center hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The 1,245-square-foot office will be staffed by a full-time grief counselor. The $130,000 project is being funded thanks to the generous support of The Gheens Foundation, Brown-Forman Corp., Brown-Forman Foundation, Norton Healthcare and individual donors. Hosparus Health expects the center to serve up to 200 West Louisville residents in its first year of operation.
“Hosparus Health has been part of the Louisville community for over 40 years, and we have always been committed to inclusion and equity, caring for patients of all ages and backgrounds,” says Amy Hill, Executive Director of Counseling Services for Hosparus Health. “This location grew out of an overwhelming demand for more grief support and resources in the West End. We are excited to now have a physical presence that will increase accessibility and reduce barriers to those services. As an extension of our hospice and palliative care services and in alignment with our mission to enhance the quality of life, the Hosparus Health Resource Center will provide a safe place to work through difficult emotions and grief, and help survivors address the physical, mental, social and spiritual impact of losing a family member or close friend.”
“When my father passed away unexpectedly on December 3, 2021, it was a very painful time for my family,” says Adria Johnson, President and CEO, Metro United Way. “What gave me comfort was the support and compassion shown by Hosparus. When it became evident that my father was not going to overcome his acute and swift illness, Hosparus wrapped their arms around us in that moment, and they have continued to reach out to extend those arms in the months that have passed. With the California neighborhood being his home for the past several decades, to see this Resource Center being established to bless others there and in surrounding West End neighborhoods means everything.”
Fees for counseling services are determined by sliding scale based on income, and financial assistance may be available. Some insurance plans are also accepted. Many support groups and educational programs will be provided at no cost. For more information or to make an appointment, call 502.456.5451 or visit HosparusHealth.org/Grief-Counseling.
About Hosparus Health
Since 1978, Hosparus Health, a fully accredited not-for-profit hospice and palliative care organization, has provided medical care, grief services, symptom and medication management and more for people facing serious and chronic illnesses in 41 counties in Kentucky and Indiana. Hosparus Health is one of the nation’s largest hospice and palliative care providers with over 600 employees and more than 500 volunteers. In 2021, the organization cared for 9,700 patients and families. Visit www.HosparusHealth.org for more information or call 800-264-0521.
About the YMCA of Greater Louisville
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The YMCA has been listening and responding to the needs of our communities for more than 165 years. The Y is dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities. For more information, visit www.ymcalouisville.org.
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