Pathways to Peace

Prioritizing Compassionate, Trauma-Informed Care

Pathways to Peace offers trauma-informed, compassionate care for individuals navigating end-of-life challenges, focusing on those impacted by trauma, substance use, and grief, while providing support to their loved ones.

"There are wounds that never show on the body, deeper and more painful than anything that bleeds." - Laurell K. Hamilton

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About 'Pathways to Peace'

Trauma affects countless people who have experienced emotionally distressing or life-threatening events, leading to lasting impacts on their mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In fact, nearly 70% of people worldwide will experience a potentially traumatic event during their lifetime.

Our Pathways to Peace program is built on the principles of trauma-informed care, a strengths-based approach that recognizes and responds to the effects of trauma. This framework empowers survivors by fostering a sense of safety, hope, and control, while addressing trauma symptoms with sensitivity.

The program focuses on integrating trauma-informed care into our doulas' four core areas: legacy, advance care planning, bedside support, and grief. We are committed to serving individuals who use substances to cope, those experiencing homelessness, people involved in the correctional system, and those living with trauma-related mental health issues and facing systemic discrimination.

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Leveraging Home Hospice Association's extensive programming, end-of-life care training materials, and deep knowledge base, alongside a wide network of death educators and support professionals, we aim to provide compassionate, dignified, empathetic, and culturally sensitive care to individuals nearing the end of life and their loved ones, including their pets. We believe this standard of care should be accessible "for anyone, of any age, at any time, and under any roof."

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"[Trauma is] not the story of something that happened back then, but the current imprint of that pain, horror, and fear living inside [the person].” - Bessel van der Kolk

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How 'Pathways to Peace' Helps

Learn more about 'When There Are No Words'

Community Outreach, Education, and Collaboration

Through public campaigns, workshops, and events like our 'When There Are No Words' panel discussion series, we promote empathy, reduce stigma, and foster open conversations about trauma, grief, and loss. Our outreach efforts raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by trauma-impacted individuals and their families, while encouraging dialogue and offering educational resources. Together, we aim to build a more understanding and compassionate community for those navigating trauma at the end of life.

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Death Doula Support

The 'Pathways to Peace' program integrates Death Doulas to provide specialized care for individuals facing trauma and grief at the end of life. Our HHA-trained doulas focus on four key areas: legacy work, deathcare planning, bedside support, and grief support. They ensure that each individual's end-of-life experience is approached with dignity, compassion, and cultural sensitivity, offering non-judgmental support throughout the journey.

(Photo by Tabitha Turner on Unsplash)

Grief Support Groups

Our program team is currently working on developing grief support groups that will focus on reducing stigma and fostering hope, with a particular emphasis on supporting men, who are disproportionately affected by opioid-related deaths. Our goal is to empower individuals to navigate grief while building community and resilience.

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Research & Policy Advocacy

Our team is committed to advancing research specifically on the intersection of trauma, grief, substance use, and end-of-life care. By supporting studies and advocating for policy changes, we aim to dismantle the structural barriers that prevent trauma-impacted individuals from receiving the care they need. Through research and advocacy, we work to create a more equitable and compassionate system for all.

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'Pathways to Peace' Program Team

Carolyn Dillon

Daniel Gilbeau

Jason Osterhold

Get Involved

Work with Us

Are you an HHA-trained Death Doula or Death Doula Candidate interested in joining the Pathways to Peace program? We offer a variety of opportunities to get involved as a facilitator or support worker. You might assist individuals experiencing trauma-related grief with advance care planning and end-of-life decisions, providing a sense of safety and empowerment to some of our most vulnerable community members. As a Pathways to Peace team member, you’ll also have the chance to advocate for removing structural barriers that prevent trauma-impacted individuals from accessing high-quality care.

Walk with Us

Join or support Stormin' Norman's Crew as we walk in this year’s Moonlit Memory Walk to raise funds for the Pathways to Peace program.

By joining our team or making a donation, you'll help ensure vital funding for projects that offer safety, support, and compassionate care to individuals and their loved ones as they navigate the challenges of trauma, grief, and loss.

Support Us

Your contribution, no matter the size, makes a profound impact on individuals facing trauma, grief, and loss, and on our ability to help them. Trauma-informed care is essential in providing dignity, safety, and compassion to people who are often marginalized and face significant barriers to quality care. By donating, you help break down these barriers, reduce the stigma and bias surrounding trauma, and ensure that some of our most vulnerable community members and their loved ones receive the high-quality, compassionate end-of-life care they deserve. Together, we can offer peace and comfort to those who need it most.

Please donate today.

Is your organization committed to promoting recovery, harm reduction, or healing from trauma? Partner with our Pathways to Peace team to access specialized staff training, workshops, advocacy, and the integration of Death Doulas into your community support services. Together, we can ensure that individuals impacted by trauma receive compassionate, trauma-informed care as they approach the end of life.

Partner With Us

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Our Partners

We are incredibly thankful for the meaningful collaboration and generous support of our partners!

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