Tidewell Hospice Volunteer and Ringling College Student Wins National Service Award
Tidewell Hospice, a member of Empath Health, proudly announced one of its volunteers, Madison “MJ” Helmick, recently won the prestigious Young Leader Service Award from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO).
Helmick was awarded at this month’s NHPCO Annual Leadership Conference in Denver for her work with the Blue Butterfly Grief Care Program. Helmick is a Lazarus Scholar with Ringling College of Art and Design. As part of the Lazarus Experiential Learning Assistantship, she has committed to volunteering for a local nonprofit that focuses on poverty. When she learned about Tidewell Grief Care’s Blue Butterfly Program, she was immediately drawn to the mission.
“I haven’t had a substantial death impact me, but I have experienced grief before,” said Helmick. “The support kids receive through this program is something I wish I had when I was younger. Now, through my volunteering, I have the opportunity to positively impact their lives and support them through their grieving process.”
The program offers specialized grief services for children, teens, and their families after the loss of a loved one. Helmick has been a Tidewell Hospice volunteer since June 2023. She assists counselors during group sessions and activities several times a month at a space in Newtown.
“We are exceedingly grateful to Ringling College and the Lazarus Engaged Learning Assistantship for introducing MJ to the Blue Butterfly Program,” said Empath Health President and CEO Jonathan Fleece. “MJ has a gift for sharing her artistic talent while making young people feel welcome with her kind and positive spirit. Volunteers like MJ are vital to the success of Blue Butterfly, which offers healing and hope to grieving families.”
The Lazarus Engaged Learning Assistantship is a partnership between Ringling College and AmeriCorps VISTA. Lazarus Scholars, like Helmick, go through extensive training about various causes, themes in service, leadership, and diversity, and engage nonprofit partners. The four-year program supports students in their volunteer efforts to build relationships with organizations, and develop sustainable solutions for community challenges. Helmick’s commitment has not gone unnoticed by peers and the administration at Ringling College.
“We are so proud of the amazing work done by MJ Helmick through the Lazarus Engaged Learning Assistantship,” said Dr. Tammy S. Walsh, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students, Ringling College of Art and Design. “This program provides a wonderful opportunity for our students to engage in four years of learning through service in partnership with our community not-for-profit organizations. Learning, service, and community engagement are of the highest priority in the Ringling College values.”
In addition to Blue Butterfly, Helmick uses her creativity to work on additional projects for Tidewell Hospice, such as Tidewell’s Legacy Books. Her book designs are used by hospice patients who write about their lives in these books so their loved ones can read about them after they pass. For more information about the Blue Butterfly Family Grief Program, call (941) 845-3061 or email BlueButterfly@Tidewell.org
ABOUT EMPATH HEALTH: Empath Health is a leading not-for-profit healthcare organization dedicated to providing comprehensive care and support to individuals facing chronic, advanced, and terminal illnesses as well as those navigating grief. Our integrated network of services encompasses skilled medical care, holistic programs, and expert support tailored to each individual’s needs.
About Ringling College of Art and Design
Since 1931, Ringling College of Art and Design has cultivated the creative spirit in students from around the globe. The private, not-for-profit, fully accredited college offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 11 disciplines and the Bachelor of Arts in two. The College’s rigorous curriculum employs the studio model of teaching and immediately engages students through a comprehensive program that is both specific to the major of study and focused on the liberal arts. The Ringling College teaching model ultimately shapes students into highly employable and globally aware artists and designers. For more information, visit www.ringling.edu
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