ALLEGANY — HomeCare & Hospice has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo to pilot a new initiative that supports the emotional well-being of caregivers.

The new program, The Comfort Connection: Caring for Grievers and Caregivers, aims to address the often-overlooked emotional toll of caregiving. The grant will help provide customized self-care packages for 100 caregivers in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Genesee and Wyoming counties.

While hospice patients receive comprehensive support from HomeCare & Hospice’s care teams, caregivers frequently set aside their own needs to focus entirely on their loved ones. The Comfort Connection is designed to change that.

“Caregivers are the unsung heroes of end-of-life care,” said Melissa Sullivan, CEO of HomeCare & Hospice (HCH). “This grant allows us to acknowledge their sacrifices and provide them with resources that encourage rest, reflection and self-care. Supporting caregivers isn’t just good practice — it’s essential to holistic hospice care.”

The self-care packages will include thoughtful items based on each caregiver’s preferences — such as books, relaxation tools or movie tickets — offering both comfort and a reminder that their well-being matters, too.

“As a hospice social worker, I see every day how emotionally demanding caregiving can be,” shared Hanna Nunn, LMSW, HCH social worker. “These care packages are a small but meaningful way to say, ‘You are not alone. You deserve care, too.’”

The Comfort Connection initiative will roll out over the coming months, HCH officials explained, with the goal of refining and potentially expanding the program in the future. The agency hopes that the positive response will lead to sustained funding and even broader community partnerships.

This pilot program reflects the broader mission of the Wilson Legacy Funds to support caregivers and improve the quality of life for those providing essential care in their communities.

The Wilson Legacy Funds were established at the Community Foundation to provide support to four areas that were important to Mr. Wilson: caregivers, community assets, design and access, and youth sports. Endowment funds, like those created to honor Wilson, are designed to grow over time and provide funding for charitable causes according to a client’s wishes.

For more information about HCH, visit www.homecare-hospice.org or call (716) 372-2106.