Please join us in welcoming Theresa Greer to the Townsend Smith Foundation as Part-Time Executive Director.
Originally from the Barrie area, Theresa and her husband Murray have lived in Georgetown since 1991. Their son, Kevin, daughter-in-law Catherine and two young grandchildren are at the heart of their family circle.
Theresa worked most recently as Executive Director of Heart House Hospice, which serves Brampton and Mississauga. Under her leadership, the staff grew from 8 to 25 and the scope of programs, ranging from volunteer in-home palliative care support to counselling to health and wellness programs, expanded. In 2019, Theresa was instrumental in partnering Heart House with Trillium Health to build a 10-bed hospice for palliative care in Mississauga.
Theresa’s university degrees in Sociology, Psychology, and Social Work, combined with a certificate in Non-Profit Management and Leadership, have led to a rewarding career that include social work with the Children’s Aid Society in Peel Region, and 12 years as Executive Director at Halton Women’s Place, where she oversaw the building of two shelters for abused women. Other career highlights are a partnership with Punjabi Community Health Services to explore end of life needs for our South Asian population, and work with the Province of Ontario for funding of the Hospice Residence Program.
She has also chaired a number of Committees including for the Hospice Association of Ontario (now HPCO) Annual Conference, the Mississauga Halton Palliative Care Network and the Central West Palliative Care Network. She has extensive involvement with local and provincial community organizations such as the Peel Leadership Centre, Holcro Nonprofit Housing, and the Big Sister Association of Ontario. Theresa’s hobbies include golf, reading, and travel – she hopes to return to Ireland and Hawaii when it is safe to do so.
Thank you for joining Townsend Smith Foundation in our mission to provide access to residential palliative care for the residents of Milton and Halton Hills, Theresa. The road may be long, but together we’ll reach our goal!
We welcome Astrid Lakats, newly elected board chair, to Townsend Smith Foundation. Astrid is a resident of North Halton. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant with her own accounting practice in Milton. Astrid has served on the boards of numerous not-for-profit organizations, and is a past Board Chair of the Mississauga Halton Community Care Access Centre. In her time with MHCCAC, Astrid saw the profound impact of hospice care on terminally ill patients and their families. She is honoured to be part of this incredible journey to build a hospice in North Halton.
Milton Mayor Gordon Krantz proclaimed that this Saturday, October 10th will be recognized by the Town of Milton as World Hospice and Palliative Care Day.
Kate Holmes, Director of Development at Townsend Smith Hospice Foundation and Parm Gill were on hand for the flag raising to celebrate the occasion.
Townsend Smith Hospice Foundation’s mission is to provide access to palliative care for residents of Milton and Halton Hills, serving the needs of terminally ill people and their families.
Hospice made losing Mike a little bit more bearable knowing he was well taken care of in his final days. Being able to walk through the door and feel like you’re walking into your best friends home was amazing. Being able to be his wife again and not his caregiver took a lot of the burden off of me and allowed me to have that connection with Mike again before his passing. Laying with Mike in hospice, each of us on our side of the bed, is one of my most cherished memories. Having a hospice locally would have allowed me and my boys to spend more time together with Mike and less time driving back and forth a few times a day.
Come and learn more about Compassionate Communities, and making your family and friends aware of your wishes and choices for care, from Karen Candy, Director, Carpenter Hospice, Burlington, and Carol Sloan, Director Palliative Care Consultation, Acclaim Health Halton.This event is sponsored by Townsend Smith Foundation, CARP Halton, and Knox Presbyterian Church, MiltonFor more information, please contact info@townsend-smith.ca, or 289-878-3407.
