Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice

01/09/2026

🕊 Faces of Grief: A Photography Exhibit Honoring Love, Loss & Connection

Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice and The Garden A Center for Grieving Children and Teens are partnering with Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) to present Faces of Grief, a powerful photography exhibit running January 20–February 6, 2026 at the Carberry Fine Arts Gallery on the STCC campus.

📸 Public Reception:
Saturday, January 30, 2026
11 AM–1 PM

Under the guidance of Professor Sondra Peron, STCC darkroom photography students have created intimate portraits of individuals holding or displaying meaningful objects that connect them to loved ones who have died.

“Grief is often a silent experience,” shares Shelly Bathe Lenn, Bereavement Coordinator at Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice. “This project offers a powerful way to honor those we've lost and to open up conversations that help us feel less alone.”

Shelly, who has supported grieving individuals across Western Massachusetts since 2002, continues to foster healing spaces for children, teens, and adults through her work with The Garden and Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice.

The Faces of Grief exhibit seeks to destigmatize grief and transform discomfort into connection. We welcome all community members to attend the reception, view the portraits, and witness the resilience and love reflected in each story.

📞 For more information, please contact Shelly Bathe Lenn at 413‑727‑5749.

01/07/2026

🖼️ Expressive Arts Bereavement Support Group – In Person
We invite you to join us for our next Expressive Arts Bereavement Support Group on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, from 5:00–6:30 pm.
This gathering is offered in collaboration with the Chesterfield Council on Aging and will take place at 400 Main Rd., Chesterfield.

RSVP is required. To reserve your spot, please call 413‑296‑4007.

All are welcome to take part in this supportive, creative space.

The Expressive Arts Group aims to provide a safe space for each participant to work on a collage that helps support their grief journey using prompts provided.

12/31/2025

12/29/2025

We’re Growing — Join Our Team!

Our agency is expanding, and we’re excited to welcome compassionate, dedicated professionals to our family. We are now hiring:

-Homecare Registered Nurses (RNs)
-Homecare Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
-Home Health Aides (HHAs)

If you’re passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of others, we’d love to hear from you. Come grow with us and be part of a team that truly cares.

Apply today! https://www.cooleydickinson.org/programs-services/vna-hospice/employment/

Contact us for more information - 413-584-1060

12/24/2025

✨ For anyone grieving this holiday season… ✨

Here is a beautiful reminder that we’re allowed to give ourselves gifts too — especially when the holidays feel heavy.

Here are a few:
💛 Permission to feel whatever comes up
🧘 Rest without guilt
🕯️ Space to honor the person you miss
🤝 Connection with people who truly get it
🛑 Boundaries that protect your energy
🌱 Moments of joy without judgment
🎨 Creative ways to express what’s on your heart

If this season is hard, you’re not alone. Be gentle with yourself. You deserve care, comfort, and compassion — especially from yourself.

https://experiencecamps.org/blog/7-holiday-gifts-grieving-folks-can-give-themselves

12/22/2025

🎨 Expressive Arts Bereavement Support Group – In Person
📅 Tuesday, January 27, 2026
🕔 5:00–6:30 PM
Join us for our next Expressive Arts Bereavement Support Group, held in collaboration with the Chesterfield Council on Aging. Come explore creativity, connection, and community.

📍 400 Main Rd., Chesterfield, MA
📞 RSVP required: 413‑296‑4007

12/19/2025

🌟We’re growing — and we want you to grow with us!

We’re currently hiring compassionate LPNs, RNs, and HHAs to join our home care team.

💙Visit our website to learn more and apply today.
https://www.cooleydickinson.org/programs-services/vna-hospice/employment/

12/17/2025

The Garden A Center for Grieving Children and Teens first session of 2026 begins in early March. Do you know of a child or teen who could use the support of The Garden?

12/15/2025

The holiday season can be bittersweet for children and teens who are missing someone they love. At The Garden A Center for Grieving Children and Teens, they remind families that it’s okay to feel a mix of emotions during this time. 💚

🌱 Consider creating a new tradition to honor your loved one, like lighting a candle or sharing a favorite memory. These small acts can help children feel connected while also giving them space to heal.
Remember: grief and joy can coexist. Together, we can support children in finding hope and comfort this holiday season. 🌼

Need support your grieving child or teen? Visit The Garden's webpage to learn more. https://www.cooleydickinson.org/programs-services/vna-hospice/the-garden/

12/12/2025

🌟 We’re Growing — Join Our Team! 🌟
Our agency is expanding, and we’re excited to welcome compassionate, dedicated professionals to our family. We are now hiring:
✅ Homecare Registered Nurses (RNs)
✅ Homecare Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
✅ Home Health Aides (HHAs)
If you’re passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of others, we’d love to hear from you. Come grow with us and be part of a team that truly cares.

📩 Apply today! https://www.cooleydickinson.org/programs-services/vna-hospice/employment/
📞 Contact us for more information - 413-584-1060

12/10/2025

📝 Why Advance Directives Matter 📝

Life can be unpredictable. Advance directives give you the power to make your healthcare wishes known—before you ever need them.

✨ They protect your voice when you cannot speak.
✨ They ease the burden on loved ones during difficult times.
✨ They guide doctors to honor your values and choices.
Advance directives aren’t just for the elderly or seriously ill—they’re for anyone who wants peace of mind and control over their care.

💙 Take the step today to ensure your wishes are respected tomorrow.

Learn more by watching our panel discussion on advance directives -

In an ever-evolving world where uncertainty is a constant companion, it becomes imperative to engage in meaningful conversations about what truly matters in ...