A foundation dedicated to supporting hospice patients and their families is making a significant impact by funding last wishes and educational scholarships. The Oasis Foundation, established in 2021, provides essential resources for patients at Oasis Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. and its inpatient facility, The House of Goshen, located in Flossmoor, Illinois.
The foundation aims to enhance the quality of life for patients, ensuring that families can create lasting memories during challenging times. “Anything a patient wants to do, go to a restaurant, go to a holiday party,” said Gabrielle Bello, director of the Oasis Foundation. For some patients, the comfort provided can be as simple yet profound as receiving a doll for companionship, as in one recent case where a patient now carries her doll wherever she goes.
The Oasis Foundation raises funds to support various needs, including community events, transportation, and funerals. One notable initiative is the Hearts Desires program, which focuses on fulfilling last wishes for hospice patients. In addition, the foundation encourages future healthcare professionals through its $2,500 Pathways to Purpose scholarships. These scholarships are available to students from Cook, Will, and DuPage counties pursuing careers in health care or social work, particularly those with an interest in geriatrics or personal experiences with hospice care.
Bello highlighted the foundation’s commitment to investing in future caregivers. “We’re trying to invest in the future caregiver,” she said. Many graduates enter the workforce without adequate experience in the unique demands of hospice care. The foundation seeks to bridge that gap, preparing students for the challenges they will face.
Bello’s parents, Sade and Hakeem Bello, founded Oasis and serve as CEO and CFO, respectively. Gabrielle began her involvement by volunteering for wellness checks and quickly recognized the need for additional services that the foundation now provides.
Families who have utilized Oasis services express their gratitude for the compassionate care offered by the staff. Afrika Rouselle, from Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood, shared her experience with her mother, who has received hospice services. “There’s a need out there. It’s critical,” Rouselle stated, emphasizing the importance of having qualified staff and appropriate medication services. She has also benefited from bereavement counseling and transportation assistance provided by the foundation, which has enabled her to visit her mother more frequently during a difficult time.
Another supporter, Bethy Beno, has volunteered at Oasis for three years and experienced its impact firsthand when her mother received hospice care at home last year. Following her mother’s passing, Beno requested donations to the foundation instead of flowers, believing the funds would contribute to the education of future hospice professionals. She noted the profound calling many staff members feel towards hospice work, underlining the significance of their experience in providing quality care.
“The building is absolutely beautiful,” Beno remarked, praising the facility’s environment and the caring philosophy expressed by the staff. She believes that the more experience new employees have before joining Oasis, the better equipped they will be to handle the emotional and practical challenges of hospice care.
As the Oasis Foundation continues to grow and support both patients and future healthcare providers, it remains committed to fulfilling the last wishes of hospice patients while investing in the education of those who will care for them in the future. For more information about the scholarships and programs, visit the foundation’s website at www.oasisthefoundation.org/pathwaytopurposescholarship.
