Our Mission

Bringing the community together to create a safe and supportive network of resources for families who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss.

While we know the loss of a child, whether it be during pregnancy or as an infant, is one that society has a difficult time talking about, we want you to know that we are here for you!

Through the joint effort of a committee consisting of local community members the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Outreach for North Simcoe Muskoka (PILO NSM) program was created.  A common consensus from those with lived experience was that there just wasn’t enough peer to peer support available to those who had experienced the loss of a child. Our goal is to change that.  The PILO NSM program will create a safe and supportive network for families and will help to remove the stigma that surrounds pregnancy and infant loss.

This specialized program is designed to offer practical and emotional support through Home Hospice Association’s ‘Our Babies, Our Grief’ six week progressive healing peer support program facilitated by our professionally trained volunteers.

The key message is it is important to us to let you know that you are not alone, your child is important and we are here to help you.

We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment free of discrimination where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully, and have equal opportunities. To register with PILO NSM please complete the Referral Form or contact our team member Louise Brazier, Bereavement Services Coordinator, at louise@hospiceorillia.ca or call 705-325-0505 Ext. 209.

About our Volunteers

The PILO NSM volunteers are screened in accordance with the standards of Hospice Palliative Care Ontario.

Our volunteers come with a wide range of personal and professional lived experience surrounding Pregnancy and Infant Loss.  If you feel you would be able to assist another who has experienced this type of loss we would love to hear from you.

For more information on how you can become a volunteer please contact our team member Louise Brazier, Bereavement Services Coordinator, louise@hospiceorillia.ca or call 705-325-0505 Ext. 209.

 

(pictured above are Mayor Clarke along with committee members at our Garden of Remembrance ceremony)

 

Regional Program

The PILO NSM program was designed to provide support to anyone in need within the North Simcoe Muskoka region. Our dedicated team of staff and volunteers continues to work tirelessly to get the program established in all areas of the region.  Currently support is available in the Orillia and Muskoka areas; we are currently looking for organizations in all other areas to champion the program for their community.

If you are interested in finding out what this would look like please connect with our Bereavement Services Coordinator, Louise Brazier at louise@hospiceorillia.ca or by phone at (705) 325-0505 ext. 209.