I’ve been with Hope & Cope for 25 years. But that simple statement doesn’t capture the journey that brought me here or the incredible evolution I’ve witnessed in this organization that has become such a central part of my life.

I’m a social worker by profession, and I’m also a teacher. I spent several years in education before transitioning into social work, and I quickly realized I didn’t have to choose between the two. Instead, I could weave them together, becoming not just a social worker, but also an educator who could make a real difference in people’s lives during some of their most challenging moments.

The En famille Program: Where It All Began

One of my proudest achievements has been coordinating the En famille program, which focuses on helping parents explain their cancer diagnosis to the children.  

It began about fifteen years ago when four businessmen and the Hope & Cope executive director came together with an idea. One of these men had experienced cancer himself, and not knowing exactly what to say, he reassured his children that everything would be okay.

When a recurrence occurred, the family was devastated. The children felt like they were betrayed because they were told everything would be okay. 

That’s when he realized we needed better ways to help parents communicate honestly with their children about cancer. Because of my background, I was approached to see if I could develop a program that would address this critical need.

Fifteen years later, and titled the “En famille program,” it has evolved into one of the most thriving and successful Hope & Cope programs, offering workshops for children and parents, meals at no charge, and opportunities to talk to other parents who have gone through the same thing.

However, I believe that what has helped parents the most over the years is that they are given books on how to talk to their children about a cancer diagnosis, end of life, or the loss of a loved one. I have written 3 books on these subjects and I’m proud to say that over 2500 copies have been distributed to parents, professionals, and caregivers over the years. 

The program has grown beyond what we originally envisioned. Initially, we focused on younger parents in their thirties or early forties with small children. But families come in all shapes and sizes now. I’m working with patients who have children in later life, blended families, single parents, families with children with special needs, and every configuration you can imagine. 

Beyond Words: The Power of Action

Some of my most meaningful moments in this work happen when we go beyond traditional support to meet very human, very real needs. I remember a man in our palliative care unit who had four children. We were already providing meals to his family through our partnership with Kerry’s Kitchen, but when I sat down to talk with him, he shared something that broke my heart.

He told me he knew his boys would be okay when he died, but he was worried about his daughter. He wanted her to have nice clothes—nice dresses, something beautiful. It was such a simple wish from a dying father.

I called Kerry immediately, and within two or three days, garbage bags full of clothing appeared in my office. Our volunteers had rallied together, and I was able to take armfuls of beautiful dresses to this father. When I told him he didn’t need to worry about his daughter having nice clothes anymore and showed him all these gorgeous, donated dresses, we both started crying right there in that hospital room.

A single father whose son needed a laptop for high school and an elderly gentleman with no winter coat are other stories. One phone call to Kerry, and within two days I had offers of multiple laptops and coats donated by volunteers to these patients.

These aren’t just feel-good stories to me; they represent the heart of what Hope & Cope stands for. We’re an organization with a heart, and that means we see the whole person, the whole family, not just the medical diagnosis.

A New Chapter: Volunteer Coordination

More recently, I’ve taken on a role that’s entirely new for our organization: volunteer coordinator. It’s somewhat ironic that we’ve never had this position before, considering we’ve had anywhere from 300 to 500 volunteers over the years.

As volunteer coordinator, I handle the intake process. I review applications, check references, and figure out where each volunteer would be best placed within our organization. It’s like putting together a puzzle, matching skills and schedules with our various needs.

Research shows that, beyond the satisfaction of the work itself, volunteers find their experience most fulfilling when they feel genuinely appreciated by their organization. So we give pins for years of service, certificates for special projects, and we hold an annual volunteer appreciation event.  

More importantly, I make it a point to offer personal praise constantly. When I see a volunteer doing exceptional work, I make sure they know I’ve noticed. It could be the way they speak to a patient or how they handle a difficult situation. Ongoing training, education and praise are essential to creating a team of committed and dedicated volunteers

I’ve also connected with the Community Council of Volunteerism, where volunteer managers from different organizations across Montreal get together to brainstorm and share ideas. It’s incredibly motivating to learn from others and bring new concepts back to Hope & Cope, such as bringing artificial intelligence into volunteer work.

Looking Forward

After 25 years with Hope & Cope, I can honestly say I still love this organization and what we stand for. We may have changed and evolved over the years, but our core philosophy remains the same—we want to help patients, and we want everyone involved in that mission to feel supported.

I often think about Sheila, who trained me when I first started here. Her approach and philosophy aligned so well with my own values, and I try to carry that forward in everything I do.

Whether you’re a current volunteer, someone considering volunteering, or a family who might benefit from our services, you’re not alone. We’re here to be part of your journey, to support you through the process, and to remind you that, even in the midst of cancer’s challenges, there’s still room for hope.