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Our Training Program

Title: About-Our-Training
 
The core of our program is a 22-hour weekend intensive training following the guidelines of the National Hospice Organization and Medicare. While Compassion In Action is not a hospice, we fully embrace the hospice philosophy. Our graduates go into homes, hospitals, and hospices—anywhere people who are dying need support, caring, and compassion.

Our volunteers are taught how to provide comfort and support, how to touch, and how to listen. What makes the experience unique from other training, are the exercises designed to invite each trainee to confront and resolve personal fears about death and dying. The effect of the training is profound and often transformative.
 
Our sole purpose as Compassion In Action volunteers is to provide comfort, reassurance, and a loving presence during the dying process, creating an atmosphere of respect and reverence for people as they make their transition from this life.

 

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Photo: Role playing exercise in training.

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Compassion In Action is guided by the principles that people have the right:

  • To be treated as living human beings

  • To maintain a sense of hopefulness, however changing its focus may be

  • To be cared for by those who can maintain a sense of hopefulness, however changing this may be

  • To express feelings about death in their own way

  • To participate in all decisions concerning their care

  • To be cared for by compassionate, sensitive, knowledgeable people who will attempt to understand their needs

  • To expect continuing medical care, even though the goals may change from “cure” goals to “comfort” goals

  • To have all questions answered honestly and fully

  • To be free of physical pain

  • To express feelings and emotions about pain in one’s own way

  • To understand the process of death

  • To die

  • To die in peace and dignity

  • To not die alone

  • To expect that the sanctity of the body will be respected after death

 

From David Kessler’s The Needs Of The Dying
 

 

Click here to view photos of past trainings
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Our trainees share their feedback...

The Compassion In Action training was a wonderful experience. Not only did a group of people from all walks of life come together as a family, but even more so, sincerely and honestly opened their hearts, listened compassionately, and learned to love each other unconditionally.

I thought the training was a great growth experience because of being part of the sharing and the receiving. Now, if only the rest of the world would take a moment and experience what we did, what an even more glorious place this planet would be. Thank you all for making the CIA training a great highlight in my life. I look forward to using what I learned while being of service to our fellow man.

- Salakesh
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The CIA training has given me the strength and knowledge to be able to be with people when they need us the most.  What greater gift can we give someone before they leave, but to simply be there with them so they are not alone.

Taking the training taught me what I can do for people while they are in last stage of their lives.  To make it easier and better for them is a priceless gift. The CIA training enables me to visit people and be comfortable with being there.  The training made me a better volunteer; the support I receive from CIA enables me to continue.

The first time I took the training, I was stunned – it was so powerful. The second time, I sat there smiling because I knew what was coming, and I was happy with my personal changes.  Material things had lost their importance.  The only things that really matter to me now is how we live our life, what we do for others, and to not be afraid.

- Pat
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I am still feeling charged by the training weekend.  I think it has changed me in some ways.  Even feeling compassion for the people in my day-to-day life has gotten easier, let alone people who are sick or dying.  It does make one realize that we are all headed in the same direction after all.  If we are taking different paths or have different challenges, it doesn't mean a whole lot in the long run. 

I am so glad that I took the training.  You were all so very kind and gentle with us.  I look forward to working with CIA people in the future.  I don't know if I will be able to go through the orientation at the VA hospital before I move, but when I get to Florida, I hope to be able to connect with a CIA group down there. 

- Linda

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