Youths For Hospice

A youth-led non-profit organization promoting community and stewardship for hospice palliative care.

Everyone deserves the chance to be supported.

Every year, over 203,000 Canadians under 18 experience the death of someone in their family. It is estimated that 40,000 young Canadians will go through the death of a sibling or parent that lives with them at home.

The death of a loved one has been found to be one of the most stressful life events that youth can experience.

Do you spend any time taking care of an a family member because they cannot care for themselves?

You're not alone. Young caregivers are not uncommon with up to 20% of Canadian youth in caregiving roles.

Who are we and why are we doing this?

Youths understand youths. We recognize how important it is to have peer support when we experience the death or dying process of someone we care about. As a result, we aim to build community capacity and support youths and teens who have a loved one receiving palliative or hospice care, by providing a space built by youths for youths.

Why Palliative Care Matters

Palliative care matters because it recognizes the inherent dignity of every individual, regardless of their prognosis. It goes beyond treating symptoms to address the whole person - their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. By focusing on quality of life and personal wishes, palliative care empowers people to live as fully as possible, even in the face of serious illness. It provides crucial support not just to those facing serious illness, but to their families and caregivers as well, offering guidance and comfort during challenging times.

Ultimately, palliative care embodies the principle that every moment of life is precious and deserves to be lived with comfort, respect, and meaning.

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