Kayla Bonkowski donates to Hospice of Michigan grief program ahead of November observance

A Sterling Heights social work graduate student has donated to Hospice of Michigan’s Grief Journey Program before National Hospice and Palliative Care Month begins in November. The gift supports free grief care for children, teens and adults as Hospice of Michigan pushes earlier conversations about hospice and palliative care.

Why it matters: - The donation supports free grief services for children, teens and adults at Hospice of Michigan. - The gift arrives before National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, an annual November observance that draws attention to hospice and palliative care. - Bonkowski framed the donation as support for earlier planning and support, not just care during a crisis.

What happened: - Kayla Bonkowski, a social work graduate student in Sterling Heights, Michigan, donated to Hospice of Michigan’s Grief Journey Program. - The donation was announced Oct. 19, 2026. - Hospice of Michigan says the Grief Journey Program provides grief support at no charge.

The details: - The Grief Journey Program offers support from master's-level clinicians trained in grief-related issues. - The program is available both in person and virtually. - Grief support starts when a patient is admitted to hospice and continues with families after a death. - For young people, the program includes Camp Good Grief, a free one-day camp for ages 8 to 17. - Hospice of Michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit hospice provider that describes itself as the largest in Michigan. - The organization cares for more than 4,200 hospice patients each year. - Hospice of Michigan supports more than 14,000 family members each year. - Its services reach 56 counties. - Bonkowski said hospice and palliative care deserve attention before a family is in a crisis. - Bonkowski also said planning, conversations and clinical support are more effective when they begin early.

Between the lines: - The donation reflects a broader push to normalize hospice and palliative care earlier in the care timeline. - Bonkowski pointed to research showing palliative care can improve quality of life, symptom burden, advance care planning and satisfaction for patients and caregivers. - The cited review was a 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis of 43 randomized clinical trials published in JAMA and led by Dio Kavalieratos, PhD. - The emphasis on grief support for families and children suggests Hospice of Michigan is positioning bereavement care as part of the full care continuum.

What's next: - National Hospice and Palliative Care Month begins in November. - Hospice of Michigan will continue offering grief support through the Grief Journey Program and Camp Good Grief. - More information about Hospice of Michigan is available at the organization’s website. - Bonkowski also shared social media links tied to her online presence, including her YouTube channel and her blog.

The bottom line: - The donation is a small but pointed example of how local support can expand access to grief care and reinforce earlier hospice conversations.