Bristol Hospice Foundation of CA

Optimal Hospice Foundation is a non-profit organization established to commit its resources to activities which are intended to ensure hospice care & other compassionate programs are available for families facing a life-limiting illness with particular emphasis on the underinsured/uninsured. Programs include hospice care funding & bereavement support including an annual Kids Camp for children who have experienced the loss of a love one.

Foundation Mission Bristol Hospice Foundation of CA is a non-profit organization established to commit its resources to activities which are intended to ensure hospice care and other compassionate programs are available for families facing a life-limiting illness with an emphasis on the underinsured or uninsured population. Programs include outreach & education, hospice care funding and bereavement support including an annual Kids Camp for children who have experienced the death of a loved one. The Foundation believes children dealing with loss need our camp more than ever in 2025. BE A HERO and help send a child to Kids Camp!

Kids Camp provides kids a safe environment to find healing and peace through games, activities and common fellowship with each other. During camp bereavement counselors are on site to work with children who may need one-on-one time and attention. Children are encouraged to share with one another often finding strength by supporting another camper. After camp each child is mailed a packet with a group picture, support materials and resources. The children and their families are encouraged to attend our ongoing weekly grief support groups. Camp is open to any child in the community who has suffered the loss of a loved one even if the person who died never used hospice services. With the assistance of organizations and individuals within our community, the Foundation provides this camp at No Cost to families. "We learned it was OK to be sad and cry and talk about our feelings. To talk about our Mom and that it was also okay to laugh and have fun, that life goes on and we have to continue to live.” - From sisters whose Mother died "Thank you for giving me my daughter back." - From the Mother of a 10 year old that attend camp after her grandmother died. "We can't say thank you enough! Your staff was so awesome with these kids and our girls both came home with true smiles on their faces. I can't tell you how that makes my broken heart feel. Monday Aug 22nd marks one year since we lost our boy and I am so glad that the girls got this camp experience to help"lighten" a little bit of a very hellish year." - From the parents of sisters who lost their brother in an accident. Direct Patient Care Funding provides access to care via funding for patients who qualify for hospice but who are uninsured, underinsured or whose coverage benefits have run out. Teddy was a typical Californian with a wife, a job and the day-to-day cares that come with that. But when Teddy was diagnosed with a disease that ultimately led to him not being able to work and needing hospice care, the typical turned to desperate. As Teddy explained it, "The insurance provided by my employer was coming to an end, and although I could've had a temporary continuation of the group health coverage, I couldn't afford the $900 per month premium."  Although he could apply for the ACA, Teddy would have a 30 day gap in coverage. "With the help of the Foundation I was able to continue receiving hospice care while I waited for my new insurance. Without the assistance of the Foundation, there is no telling what might have happened. I had days when my body would break down, and without hospice, I would have been gone." Teddy summed it up by adding, "What the Foundation does really has an impact on people's lives. It was a bridge to get us over the gap. We really appreciate the help." - Excerpts from an article in the Foundation Newsletter.