Allison Stearns

CaringMatters

CaringMatters (founded as Hospice Caring in 1989) serves children, adults and families facing life-threatening illness and experiencing the death of a loved one. CaringMatters also increases community awareness and advocacy about end-of-life concerns, advance care planning and grief. CaringMatters serves the culturally and economically diverse residents of Montgomery County, Maryland. Our small staff and a large volunteer community provide adult and child bereavement and caregiving direct services. All volunteers are screened and have completed at least three full days of specialized training; ongoing training and support are given. Programs are regularly evaluated for their impact on people CaringMatters serves. All services are delivered free-of-charge; none are covered by Medicare or other public or private insurances. A mix of individual and business donors, foundations and government supports CaringMatters. Volunteers also donate administrative and fund-raising support time. Our mission is to provide social supports and community education so that no one dies or grieves alone. CaringMatters envisions a community that accepts death as a part of life; where the processes of dying and grieving are embraced without stigma; where everyone has access to support services without charge; and where no one dies or grieves without support.