Former Nelson monastery set to become the Kalein Hospice Centre
By Nelson Daily Editor
A long held community dream to establish a hospice centre in Nelson has taken a giant step forward with the purchase, by the Kalein Hospice Centre Society (KHCS), of a retired monastery in the Rosemont neighborhood of Nelson.
Formerly home to the Catholic Order of the Sisters of the Precious Blood, the property, located at 402 West Richards Street, features a ten thousand square foot monastery building surrounded by two acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and mature trees.
Speaking for The Sisters, Sr. Eileen Mary Walsh writes, “We are very pleased that the Kalein Hospice Centre Society is purchasing our former monastery and grounds. It is comforting for us to know that the property we used to own is being dedicated to such a meaningful purpose.”
The Kalein Hospice Centre Society was formed two years ago by a group of Nelson community residents who recognized that existing hospice care programs and services in our region would benefit from the creation of a formal hospice centre.
In 2010, Kalein was granted charitable status. A philanthropic donation and locally sourced financing enabled KHCS to act on this perfect opportunity when the monastery and grounds became available for purchase.
“From the moment this property was introduced to our Board of Directors, we knew right away that it contained all the essential elements required for the hospice centre we have envisioned,” said Sandi Leatherman, board chair of KHCS.
“The building will undergo substantial upgrades to suit the services and programs that the centre will offer. But the fact that we have a building now, instead of having to build from the ground up, is going to advance our ability to realize the centre by several years.”
Providing onsite care and support in a compassionate and beautiful environment for those who are at the end stages of life, and their families, will be a core service of the Centre.
While many communities have hospice houses, Kaleinʼs campus setting will also include a Centre for Community Education and Dialog.
“We live in a culture that has a really hard time discussing death,” said Mrs. Leatherman, “This often leaves us feeling ill prepared and unequipped to meet the reality that, sooner or later, our loved ones and ourselves are all going to die.”
Through offerings such as workshops, special events, training programs, a resource library, and a contemplative garden, Kalein Hospice Centre will provide an environment of beauty, tranquility and safety, in which the vitality of this conversation, in all its aspects, can become as much a part of our cultural fabric as our desire for a youthful life.
Although the effort to move the Kalein Hospice Centre project forward has maintained a relatively low profile up until now, community support has been building. In April of 2011, KHCS held a community design workshop attended by over 60 people. The results of this community input session have recently been compiled into a final report.
“We have been looking forward to getting out into the region to share the results of our community input, and more about Kaleinʼs vision and mission,” said Mrs. Leatherman. “Through the purchase of the monastery property, our efforts are being energized in a way that was entirely unexpected as little as one month ago. Response from the community has been truly amazing.”
Over the next six months, the Kalein Hospice Centre Society will be working on multiple fronts, conducting strategic planning and preparing the formal feasibility study and business plan that will guide building renovations as well as define specific programs and services.
“As we move forward,” said Leatherman, “we will be working closely with the Nelson Hospice Society, which has provided formal hospice support and volunteer training in our region for over 25 years.”
As with all community legacy projects, fundraising occupies a large piece of the effort. Kaleinʼs intention is to cultivate on-going funding for the Centre through the support of larger foundations and institutions, city and regional sources, private family bequests and a community giving campaign.
“With the holiday season upon us, Kaleinʼs ability to establish itself in such a wonderful and special location, is a really amazing gift,” said Leatherman. “As more and more people become acquainted with the hospice centreʼs mission and vision, we hope they will be inspired to support it and become involved.”
Anyone interested in making a donation or bequest to the Kalein Hospice Centre Society, volunteering their time to the project and activities of the Centre, or learning more about the Centreʼs mission and vision, is encouraged to contact Sandi Leatherman at 250.352.2217 or by email at hospicehouse.nelson@gmail.com.
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