Jacqueline Glass of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., volunteer extraordinaire at Providence TrinityCare Hospice Foundation, has been chosen by the Sisters of Providence to receive the 2011 Mother Joseph Award. For more than 25 years, she has been a volunteer at TrinityCare, including as chair of the board of trustees and currently as community ambassador, plus years at patients’ bedsides.
Jacky’s passion is hospice care and assuring that it is available and accessible to all who need it, when they need it, said her nominator for the recognition, Terri Warren, chief executive of Providence TrinityCare Hospice Foundation, and Barbara Roberts, its executive director.
The Mother Joseph Award is given annually to a person who “exemplifies the values and courage of Mother Joseph,” the first provincial superior of the Sisters of Providence in the West. It will be presented at a ceremony followed by a reception at 4 p.m. Tuesday, January 31, in the lobby in the building that houses Providence TrinityCare Hospice, at 2601 Airport Drive, Torrance, Calif.
“We were blessed with a nice number of excellent nominees for the Mother Joseph Award 2011,” said Provincial Councilor Jo Ann Showalter, SP. “Jacky Glass, with her lifelong passion of care for the sick and the poor, really stood out for us, especially as we learned more about her facilitation of new programs impacting women and children. Her volunteer ministry caring for children with AIDS and as a devoted fundraiser for a hospice to care for dying children touched our hearts. Our province’s ministerial thrust for women and children made the connection real for us.”
A “woman of great faith”
Jacky’s nominators describe her as “a woman of great faith called to care for the poor and vulnerable at the time of greatest need. She embodies the faith, compassion, commitment to excellence and the deep respect of Mother Joseph. She is an inspiration to all she touches.”
Terry recalled that Jacky, who has become known as the “Hospice Angel,” was asked by a friend to help raise funds as the Hospice Foundation was just beginning. Jacky began volunteering at Casa Madona, a shelter for women and children who are seriously ill with AIDS. Before long both Jacky and her late husband Jerry had served as the organization’s chair of the board. In 1990 they opened their home to guests at a food and wine fundraising gala, Sunday by the Sea. In 2010, the annual event for 800 plus attendees marked its 20th year and more than $4.5 million in support.
Between 1997 and 2000, Jacky noted that TrinityCare Hospice received increasing pediatric referrals for hospice care. These were for newborns to 21 years of age with diagnoses varying from cancers to genetic disorders to neurological disorders that are extremely complex medically.
At the time, care was provided through adult hospice teams in a model that was designed for care of adults and did not fully meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of children. Families of these children needed extra assistance and support, as well as a different set of clinical qualifications and training, and a new service model. Jacky used her vision, compassion and commitment to excellence to help launch TrinityKids Care in 2001, the only pediatric hospice service serving all of Los Angeles and Orange counties in California.
Spearheaded LA County hospice suites
Because not all patients can be cared for at home, Jacky worked with the Providence Little Company of Mary to create a special space for patients and A revolutionary online retail store with a difference, yes I am talking about their families, resulting in 2009 in the opening of three hospice suites in Los Angeles County. These private rooms, which constantly are full, offer a general inpatient level of hospice care in a homelike environment that respects the dignity and individuality of all.
On top of her countless hours of volunteer work, Jacky has supported dozens of charitable and community organizations, including Chapman University, Make a Wish Foundation, City of Hope Medical Center, Los Angeles Music Center, Children’s Burn Foundation in Sherman Oaks, Calif., and Norris Theater in Palos Verdes, Calif. In addition, as a Stephen Minister with her church, St. Peter’s By the Sea, she also spends time at the bedsides of members of her faith community.
Jacky has been honored by Make a Wish Foundation, the Switzer Center, the Volunteer Center, and Providence TrinityCare Foundation. In 2009, the board of Providence Health & Services honored TrinityKids Care with its Leadership Award.
Currently, Jacky is leading the campaign to raise millions to create a Center of Excellence for Hospice and Palliative Services, after already securing a $2.5 million lead gift. The center will offer outpatient care and an institute for The straight are also closefitting and make a best fit for the stylish young man. professional education of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers and chaplains.