As moms, we often carry the role of caregiver, nurturer, and organizer. We’re the ones who hold family stories, manage the details, and walk with our loved ones through both everyday challenges and life-changing transitions. But what happens when our families face something as difficult as serious illness, dying, or grief? That’s where The Peaceful Presence Project comes in. Based in Central Oregon, this non-profit is reimagining how families—and entire communities—can come together to support one another in life’s hardest moments.
Inspired by the Peaceful Presence Project’s Heart-Centered Care
Founded in 2019, The Peaceful Presence Project grew from a simple but powerful recognition: families need more than medical support at the end of life. They need compassionate, non-medical guidance that honors dignity, family values, and spiritual beliefs.
The organization’s mission has since evolved into a wide-reaching commitment to provide care for anyone who seeks it, regardless of financial circumstances. Their work complements hospice and palliative care, while also creating space for community involvement and education.
A Family’s Story of End-of-Life Family Support
One story highlights just how meaningful their services can be. A Central Oregon woman in her early 50s was nearing the end of her journey with cancer. Her parents, in their late 70s, wanted nothing more than to honor her wish to remain at home.
With the support of The Peaceful Presence Project, her family and community were organized into a 24/7 circle of care. End-of-life doulas stepped in during the nights so her parents could rest, ensuring their daughter’s final days were filled with dignity, peace, and love.
“Peaceful Presence made it possible for her parents to simply be Mom and Dad again — not just caregivers.”
It’s a story that resonates with many moms—reminding us of the importance of family, community, and showing up when it matters most.
Programs Designed to Support Families
The Peaceful Presence Project offers programs that meet families where they are:
- Advance care planning and advocacy
- Guided visualization, meditation, and bedside yoga
- Family education and in-home support during illness or active dying
- Grief rituals and follow-up visits after a loved one’s passing
- Support for choices like Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) or VSED
For moms, this kind of care feels familiar—we already prepare, comfort, and create safe spaces for our loved ones. Peaceful Presence simply extends that same heart of care into the sacred space of end-of-life.
Training and Building a Compassionate Community
Beyond family support, Peaceful Presence invests in training end-of-life doulas through self-paced and guided programs. Their education is rooted in practical skills, compassion, and reflection, preparing participants to confidently serve others.
Locally, their Community Connector Program trains neighbors to provide emotional care, grief support, and practical help for those living with serious illness. They also host Connection Cafés throughout Central Oregon—safe spaces to talk openly about grief, dying, and support.
For moms who already value community and connection, these programs provide a natural extension of that caregiving spirit.
How Moms Can Get Involved
Whether you’re a mom navigating caregiving for aging parents, raising children who are learning about loss for the first time, or simply someone who wants to bring more compassion into your community—there are ways to connect with The Peaceful Presence Project:
- Sign up for their newsletter to stay informed about upcoming events.
- Attend a Connection Café for conversations and community support.
- Explore end-of-life doula training—open to anyone with the heart to serve.
Why This Matters for Families
As moms, we often prepare for beginnings—birth, milestones, new school years, big adventures. Through my own Motherhood Sessions I see how much love and care goes into celebrating these moments of growth and connection. But The Peaceful Presence Project reminds us that endings deserve the same care, dignity, and intentionality.
Their work is a powerful reminder that family care doesn’t stop at the end of life—it continues in the way we honor memories, support each other, and build communities rooted in compassion.
Connect with Peaceful Presence
I deeply admire the work The Peaceful Presence Project is doing here in Central Oregon, and I’m grateful to share their story with you.
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