On Friday, the hospice shelter Welcome Home of Chattanooga will celebrate its 10th anniversary serving the Tennessee Valley with “Love and Grief: Find Me There,” an evening dedicated to exploring loss, healing and connection.
Since opening its doors in 2015, the nonprofit has cared for more than 145 people enduring terminal illness who have no place to go at the end of life.
While some might see caring for the sick and homeless as a heavy burden, Executive Director Sherry Campbell says she considers it an honor. She first recognized the need for such a place during her 11 years as a hospice social worker.
(READ MORE: Welcome Home opens second house for homeless cancer patients)
“Over the years, we realized we were caring for people in their 30s and 40s — young people — who were dying of cancer. There are certain treatments you can’t get if you’re living outside. If you’re homeless and diagnosed with breast cancer, for example, it’s almost a death sentence.”