Three-bed hospice residence to bring end-of-life care closer to home
Evergreen Hospice breaks ground on a landmark three-bed hospice residence, the first of its kind to support individuals and families in Markham, Stouffville, and Thornhill. For close to four decades, Evergreen has stood alongside families in this community through some of the most profound and vulnerable moments of their lives. They have cared for people in their homes, supported their caregivers, and walked with families through grief. Now, they are finally putting a front door on that promise through their build.
This residence means that when someone’s needs become too complex to manage at home, compassionate care no longer has to mean leaving their community or losing the familiar people, places, and supports that matter so much. Families will be able to make that transition seamlessly, surrounded by an interprofessional team that cares for the whole person physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually, while giving loved ones the precious opportunity to simply be loved ones again.
“Three beds may sound modest, but for this community, they represent something enormous: dignity, choice, and a place that feels like home at the end of life,” said Laura Lavallee, CEO of Evergreen Hospice.
“Evergreen Hospice has worked tirelessly to raise every dollar of the capital campaign, and we are incredibly proud that this project is 100 per cent funded by local individuals and families in our community.”
Kevin and Jennifer Baxter, owners of Stouffville Toyota, understood the importance of the cause personally as Evergreen Hospice has played a role in their lives. They have donated a 2026 RAV4 as a raffle prize, and the community can buy tickets for a chance to win. All raffle proceeds go directly to supporting the construction of Evergreen’s first hospice residence.
Evergreen Hospice is honoured to work collaboratively with their community and local partners, like Oak Valley Health, to bring this initiative to fruition. Together, they will ensure these beds are utilized to their fullest potential, delivering the compassionate care that has defined Evergreen Hospice for almost four decades.
“Providing integrated care for healthier communities means working together to ensure people can access seamless, compassionate care wherever they are in their health care journey,” said Mark Fam, president and CEO of Oak Valley Health. “Our partnership with Evergreen Hospice reflects that shared commitment and our belief in supporting hospice care that is delivered by the community, for the community. This new residence will provide something every person deserves at the end of life: compassionate care, close to home.”
The residence will be located at 7672 Elgin Mills Rd. East. Visit evgcares.org for more details.
Photo (L-R): Oak Valley CEO Mark Fam, Evergreen CEO Laura Lavallee, Stouffville Mayor Iain Lovatt, Dr. Patterson. (Matthew Fletcher photo)