UPDATE: The Oasis Foundation in Flossmoor, Illinois, is making headlines with its new initiative to fulfill the last wishes of hospice patients, providing essential comfort when families need it most. This urgent program, called Hearts Desires, aims to grant patients’ final requests, such as dining out or attending special events.
“This is about making every moment count,” said Gabrielle Bello, director of the Oasis Foundation. The foundation, established in 2021, not only serves hospice patients but also invests in the future of healthcare through scholarship programs.
The foundation awards $2,500 Pathways to Purpose scholarships to aspiring healthcare or social work students from Cook, Will, and DuPage counties. These scholarships target those with personal experience in geriatrics or hospice care, as Bello emphasized, “We’re trying to invest in the future caregiver.”
Families are already feeling the positive impact of the foundation’s work. For one patient, the foundation provided a doll for companionship, helping her feel less alone during a difficult time. Bello stated, “Now she has it with her wherever she goes.”
Relatives of hospice patients praise the support provided by the Oasis Foundation. Afrika Rouselle from Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood noted, “There’s a need out there. It’s critical.” Rouselle’s mother has been receiving hospice care, and the foundation has also offered her bereavement counseling and transportation assistance. “It’s been incredibly helpful,” she shared.
Volunteers like Bethy Beno, who has been involved with Oasis for three years, echo similar sentiments. After her mother passed away last year, Beno encouraged donations to the foundation instead of flowers, recognizing the critical role it plays in training future hospice caregivers. “The more experience they have when they come to us, the better prepared they are,” Beno said.
The Oasis Foundation is not just focused on immediate patient care; it is committed to ensuring a strong pipeline of skilled professionals in hospice and palliative care. Bello explained, “A lot of people don’t have that experience when they come out of nursing school, and that’s why we’re putting it on their radar.”
As the foundation continues to fund both last wishes and educational programs, its mission remains clear: to provide comfort and care during life’s most challenging moments and to cultivate the next generation of compassionate caregivers.
For those interested in learning more about the Pathways to Purpose scholarship, visit www.oasisthefoundation.org/pathwaytopurposescholarship.
Stay tuned for more updates on how the Oasis Foundation is transforming hospice care and strengthening community support.
