News

Community Hospice & Health Services Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

May 29, 2024

For Immediate Release

Contacts: Kristin Mostowski, Director of Public Relations | Community Hospice | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301

Community Hospice & Health Services Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

Modesto (May 22, 2024) – Community Hospice & Health Services, the oldest and largest nonprofit hospice and support services agency serving the Central Valley, announced the appointment of Ms. Toby Benguerel as the organization’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Ms. Benguerel joined Community Hospice & Health Services on Monday, May 20, 2024, in her new role.

Ms. Benguerel brings to Community Hospice & Health Services more than 15 years’ professional experience in corporate finance and treasury, accounting, tax and risk management. She also brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in corporate operations and strategy to the CFO role. Prior to joining Community Hospice & Health Services, Ms. Benguerel served as the Chief Financial Officer for Yosemite Pathology Medical Group and held financial leadership roles in the manufacturing and construction industries. She also spent time in the public accounting sector performing audits and assurance services.

“We are pleased to welcome Ms. Benguerel to Community Hospice & Health Services,” said Alisa Bettis, President/CEO. “We are confident that her leadership and vast finance operations experience will continue to improve our financial performance, maintain our mission, and help position Community Hospice & Health Services for a bright and strong future.”

Ms. Benguerel has a Master of Science in Accountancy from California State University, Sacramento. She is a Certified Public Accountant, member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and serves on the Board of Directors for the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. She also currently serves as the President of the San Joaquin Chapter of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

About Community Hospice & Health Services

Community Hospice & Health Services is a nonprofit, community-based agency, serving the Central Valley since 1979. Community Hospice & Health Services embraces more than 2,500 patients and families each year providing support through vital programs including hospice and palliative care for adults and pediatrics, general inpatient care at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House, bereavement support, outpatient mental health counseling for adults and children, and Camp Wokini, a youth camp for children and teens who have experiences loss. For more information about Community Hospice & Health Services programs call 209.578.6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.

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Photos: Sapphire Gala

May 8, 2024

We had an amazing time with our community celebrating 45 years of service and the continuing mission of Community Hospice & Health Services at our annual gala!

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors, donors, volunteers and staff that helped to make this year’s gala a success!

More Photos

Light Up A Life to be held in Modesto, Turlock and Oakdale

October 24, 2023

For Immediate Release

Contacts: Kristin Mostowski | Director of Public Relations, Community Hospice | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301

Join Us for the First Annual Light Up A Life Tree Lighting

The Friends of Community Hospice & Health Services are pleased to partner with Turlock Funeral Home and CEO Lonnie Alvares this December, for the first annual “Light Up A Life” tree-lighting ceremony held in our community.

While this is a longstanding tradition for Stanislaus County to have a tree lighting to remember loved ones lost, this will be the first time the event is held in Turlock. Pam DiFrancia, Event Chair, stated that, “Light Up A Life is our most time-honored event. For almost 40 years, we have held a tree-lighting ceremony in Modesto. We are excited to offer the Turlock community this special opportunity to honor and memorialize their loved ones.”

The ceremony will be held at 425 N. Soderquist Road on the grounds of the Turlock Funeral Home. Starting at 5:30 p.m. there will be a cocoa and cookie reception next to the Chapel followed by a brief program and tree lighting.

“We are excited to announce that our former CEO and current Chairman of the Board of Directors of Turlock Funeral Home, Scott Atherton, and his wife, Nancy, will be our first annual Tree Lighters. Scott helped establish Turlock Funeral Home in 2005, and he is pleased to join us in offering our families, friends, and community members a moment of healing and hope,” stated Alvares.

If you or someone you know has lost a person close to them and wishes to honor them with a symbolic light on our tree, or purchase an ornament for your own family tree, please visit give.hospiceheart.org.

About Community Hospice & Health Services Foundation

Community Hospice & Health Services Foundation, established in 2001, raises funds and awareness for Community Hospice & Health Services, fulfilling the mission to embrace individuals facing life changing journeys, enhancing quality of life for all.

About Community Hospice & Health Services

Community Hospice & Health Services is a nonprofit, community-based agency, serving the Central Valley since 1979. Community Hospice & Health Services embraces more than 2,500 patients and families each year providing support through vital programs including hospice and palliative care for adults and pediatrics, general inpatient care at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House, bereavement support, outpatient mental health counseling for adults and children, and Camp Wokini, a youth camp for children and teens who have experiences loss. For more information about Community Hospice & Health Services programs call 209.578.6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.

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Photos: Walk & Roll Fun Run

October 24, 2023

What a beautiful morning celebrating our community and supporting the mission of Community Hospice and Health Services. Thank you to all who joined us for the first annual Walk & Roll Fun Run.

Community Hospice Inc. Announces Name Change

October 18, 2023

For Immediate Release
Contacts: Kristin Mostowski, Director of Public Relations | Community Hospice | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301


Growing Together Because Every Journey Matters
Community Hospice, Inc. Announces Name Change

Modesto (October 18, 2023) – As the premier nonprofit hospice and support services organization dedicated to service excellence and enhancing the quality of life for our community members facing various life-changing journeys, we are pleased to announce the launch of Community Hospice & Health Services, a rebrand that reflects and aligns all programs and services offered. Formerly known as Community Hospice, Inc., Community Hospice & Health Services aims to unite all programs under one name and embodies the mission of the organization to embrace individuals and families facing life-changing journeys, enhancing quality of life for all.

“After several years of diligent research our Leadership team with the support of our Board of Directors have decided to move forward with a rebrand for our beloved organization,” said Alisa Bettis, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The timing of our rebranding could not be more perfect as we begin to celebrate our 45th Anniversary. Our unwavering commitment to helping our friends and neighbors when needed most has been maintained as our primary focus. We have identified new needs throughout the years and developed and adapted programs to ensure we continue to be there for our community members. We are very excited to unveil our rebrand as we feel it is critical to move our mission forward, while also honoring our legacy.”

Over the past 45 years, Community Hospice & Health Services has grown from our humble beginnings as a small all volunteer-based hospice organization serving Stanislaus County. Programs today include hospice care, supportive palliative care, pediatrics care programs, bereavement support for hospice families, outpatient mental health counseling, school-based counseling, and Camp Wokini, a youth grief camp formerly known as Camp Erin of the Central Valley. The organization also has a Durable Medical Equipment division and retail operations divisions including seven Hope Chest Thrift Stores throughout the Central Valley. Today, services are provided in Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced, Calaveras, Mariposa, Tuolumne, and parts of Contra Costa, Sacramento, Alameda and Santa Clara counties.

“One of our primary rebranding goals was accessibility to all Community Hospice & Health Services programs. What we learned from our many focus groups was that many people think we only offer hospice care, they were surprised to learn we offer many other support programs. By aligning all our programs under one name we hope that our community members find ease in accessing additional resources they may not know are available,” shared Kristin Mostowski, Director of Public Relations. “Our rebrand will include the new brand name, website, social media channels and a ‘Growing Together Because Every Journey Matters’ campaign.”

In position with the rebranding efforts, the Community Hospice Foundation, which was founded in 2001 to raise funds to support the organizations vital resources and compassionate mission, will also be rebranded to Community Hospice & Health Services Foundation.

Community Hospice & Health Services looks forward to providing the same compassionate and quality care and support they have provided throughout the years. The vision for the organization remains the same, to be the Provider of Excellence in quality care, education, and support. As we look towards the next 45 years, we are committed to continuing to evolve with our community, enhancing quality of life for
all.

Please join Community Hospice & Health Services for a 45th Anniversary Open House celebration on November 16, 2023, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356.

To learn more about Community Hospice & Health Services programs or to learn how you may get involved, visit hospiceheart.org or call 209.578.6300.

Community Hospice & Health Services Mission:
To embrace individuals and families facing life-changing journeys, enhancing quality of life for all.

About Community Hospice & Health Services
Community Hospice & Health Services is a nonprofit, community-based agency, serving the Central Valley since 1979. Community Hospice & Health Services embraces more than 2,500 patients and families each year providing support through vital programs including hospice and palliative care for adults and pediatrics, general inpatient care at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House, bereavement support, outpatient mental health counseling for adults and children, and Camp Wokini, a youth camp for children and teens who have experiences loss. For more information about Community Hospice & Health Services programs call 209.578.6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.
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