to care for and honor those who have served
Looking for an End-of-Life Doula that understands Veterans’ needs?
As part of my hospice volunteer role, I serve on a We Honor Veterans committee for an NHPCO Level 5 Partner. We Honor Veterans (WHV), is a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which focuses on increasing access and improving the quality of hospice and palliative care for Veterans and their families in communities across the US. The goal of the program in collaboration with community hospices, state hospices, VA facilities, and with the support of volunteers is simple -
to care for and honor those who have served when they reach life's final chapters.
Benefits of End-of-Life Doula Care for Veterans
I provide compassionate care to engage, honor, and recognize veterans as they move through life's final chapters. Benefits of having an end-of-life doula who understands the unique needs of veterans and their families may be incredibly impactful, especially for those who have never been thanked for their service or welcomed home. I offer care and support by being able to:
- Give veterans opportunities to tell their stories
- Respect their feelings and suggestions
- Thank them for their service
- Be supportive, non-judgmental, and validate concerns
- Show appreciation for the families of veterans
Celebrating and Honoring Service
I work hard to understand veterans’ military service to help them feel honored and appreciated for their service. My personalized care includes:
- Conversations with health care staff and family members to address a veteran’s unique needs
- Honoring veterans with a Certificate of Appreciation to thank and honor their military service.
- Thanking veterans for their service through pinning ceremonies
"Welcome Home" Lap Quilts
Our History
The "Welcome Home" Lap Quilts were born in January 2022. Jessica was helping plan an inaugural Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Ceremony in Boulder County on March 30 which is designated as "Colorado's Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day". In late 2021, Jessica reached out to her incredibly talented and creative mother, Wendy looking for ideas to help make the ceremony extra special.
Weeks had passed and one day Jessica got a phone call from her mother. During one of Wendy's weekly visits to the local thrift shop, she came upon a donation treasure trove. A family had donated a huge amount of brand new, patriotic sewing fabric and dozens of military branch pillow panels to the thrift shop. Jessica knew her mother came across an extraordinary find and deep in her heart felt the universe was calling but there was only one problem, Jessica didn't know how to sew.
Jessica was in luck because her mother was not only a talented quilt maker, her quilting company, Road Q Quilting is in high demand from quilters all across the U.S.. Wendy spent hours teaching Jessica how to use a sewing machine and by March 30, 2022 and in time for the "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" ceremony, the two of them together had sewn and quilted over 12 "Welcome Home" lap quilts which were gifted to special Vietnam Veterans across Boulder County.
To date, Jessica and her mother, Wendy have sewn, quilted, and gifted 40+ "Welcome Home" lap quilts to honor, remember, and thank our veterans who may have never been thanked for their service or welcomed home.
