City council has received an update on, and a funding request from, Mariposa House Hospice.
Executive director Annalise Stenekes and board president Si Lowry made a presentation during Monday’s virtual council meeting. They asked for $50,000 per year for two years to help the non-profit become sustainable.
Incorporated in 2016, the hospice on Brodie Drive in Severn Township welcomed its first resident in February 2021.
It takes a new residential hospice 18 to 24 months to “fully develop revenue streams to an adequate level,” council was told.
The organization is working with the province in an effort to have more of its operational expenses covered, but officials noted it takes about four to six budget cycles before any changes are put in place, and the COVID-19 pandemic is also a factor.
That’s why $100,000 is being requested from the City of Orillia.
“We acknowledge this isn’t the norm to provide operating funding,” Stenekes said, adding this type of request won’t be made again.
The organization’s annual operating costs are about $1.1 million. The Local Health Integration Network provides $525,000 per year for five beds — money that can be spent only on clinical costs. That leaves $600,000 per year that must be raised in the community, which represents about $50,000 per month or $300 per resident, per day.
“It’s a large shortfall,” Lowry said.
Coun. Mason Ainsworth asked why the County of Simcoe wasn’t pitching in. He was told the county provides capital, not operational, support.
Municipalities, however, have provided operating funding for hospices.
“It is a precedent to help with operations, which is good,” Lowry said, adding a pitch for funding will be made to Severn council in a couple of weeks.
The establishment of a local residential hospice was long overdue, council was told. Before Mariposa House opened, people had to drive at least half an hour for residential hospice care.
Since opening its doors earlier this year, the hospice has been at capacity, supporting 66 residents as well as their families and friends.
It does not charge for its services, and the facility has “many thoughtful touches to the design” to make it welcoming and comfortable, Stenekes said. They include spacious rooms, Murphy beds to allow for overnight stays, a spa room with a therapeutic bathtub, a walking path, gardens and more.
“I can almost see the weight being lifted from their shoulders when they arrive,” Stenekes said of friends and family of residents.
Coun. Ralph Cipolla spoke about the value of having a service like this close to home. He recalled his mother’s final days at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital.
“I wish the hospice home was available at that time,” he said. “It’s really important for children and grandchildren to see their parents or grandparents in their last days.”
Council voted to refer the financial request to upcoming budget deliberations.
