Many Mid-Shore residents have an incomplete understanding of the services provided by Compass Hospice in Centreville, imagining it only to be a peaceful, caring facility for end-of-life hospice care.
That, however, would be only half the story. Hospice care is the core function of Compass, but their broader spectrum of outreach services provides grief support and counseling for individuals, families, schools, and businesses throughout the region.
Director of Compass Support Services, Rhonda Knotts, says their counselors are on call to support businesses dealing with the loss of a co-worker, students grieving over the loss of a parent, and inmates coping with their loss of freedom.
“We go out in the community. It’s not just about grief support due to the loss of a loved one,but it also has to do with supporting our local organizations like Channel Markers and Chester Y and helping them develop coping skills to navigate through their loss.”
Over the years, Compass has expanded its mission to serve the region through ever-expanding outreach services providing one-on-one grief support for adults and children, caregiver support, and community education events. It includes the yearly four-day Camp New Dawn retreat for children, teens, and families struggling with losing a loved one.
The Spy recently met with Rhonda Knotts and grief counselor Sherrie Young to discuss their outreach programs and how Compass reaches into Mid-Shore communities to support any institution or individual cost-free.
This video is approximately seven minutes in length. To find out about Compass Hospices’ services, see their website here.
Retha J. Arrabal says
I had the privilege of working with Rhonda Knotts after the death of my son Jonathan in 2019. I can honestly say she helped me cope with the loss and was, in my opinion, a miracle and a blessing to me. I was very thankful to have her guidance and understanding. I believe the entire staff to be well trained, but my experience with Rhonda helped me find a walkable path.
Dr. Ben Kohl says
Thank you Sherrie and Rhonda and all the staff at CRH for the amazing services you provide to our community.
Suzanne Speakman says
The Compass organization is wonderful in supporting our area. They are always there for you and so supportive, loving, and kind. We are so fortunate to have them for us.
Joan Berwick says
I’ve had the unfortunate, and yet fortunate, experience of having Compass Hospice provide services to 3 of my family members since 2016. My daughter, my husband, and now my sister. Each case was significantly different from the other and the services were unique to the specific needs. Their team approach with social workers, nurses and grief counselors is incomparable. They make the process smooth from enrolling through follow-up after death. They worked through the special dialysis needs of my daughter Erin Kelly, through the needs of my VietNam veteran husband Joseph Nickle, with pancreatic cancer, and now are assisting with the advanced heart failure and lung cancer of my sister Kathie. Each and every one of their employees has been helpful, considerate and understanding; from the receptionist, the community liaison, donation coordinator and ….just simply everyone. My grandson participated in Camp New Dawn. I joined a grief support group and then a grief support group for spouses. Due to the wonderful social worker Sharon Loving, now retired, my daughter Grace completed her bachelors and master’s degrees and is a current employee. We are so very fortunate to have a not-for- profit hospice organization in our area. I hope anyone reading this feels called to support them as they are able.