Journey Project

“Quality of life is the gold standard in palliative care.”
Francis Mueller, MD, Calistoga, California.

Through the Journey Project, the Community Network builds upon nearly two decades of work advocating for quality, affordable neighborhood-based long-term care. Educational programming, strategic planning services, and publications offered draw upon a variety of perspectives representing the personal and professional experiences of those involved.

The basic premise of Journey Project is that wellness through the ending of life requires:

  • good planning
  • timely access to relevant information
  • appropriate support and care focused on the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

Consumer Education and Advocacy
Educational programs and advocacy work include promotion of palliative (comfort) care and community-based long-term care as well as equal-opportunity choices. Program activity includes sharing state-of-the-art research, information about emerging models, and personal stories—all tailored to a specific audience.

Research, Publishing, and Media
Journey Project publications include Journey to Life’s End: A Traveler’s Guide and Home Funeral: A Natural Choice. We also publish a variety of related audio and video cassette tapes of television, radio, and workshop programs done by project staff.

The Journey Project Resource Center includes historic and state-of-the-art materials focused on issues, resources, models and legislation. This special library collection comprised of materials specifically related to end-of-life issues, palliative care, community-based long term care, and health system related issues. The Center is housed in the Environmental Center of Sonoma County located at 55 Ridgway Avenue in Santa Rosa and accessible by appointment. This “CaringCommunity.org” website provides online access to many resources first gathered through our work as advocates, public interest planners and community educators.

Our Workshops include Wellness Through Life’s End: An Introduction, Wellness Through Life’s End: Challenges and Opportunities, and others tailored to specific audiences and needs. Workshops are available on a sliding scale fee-for-service basis.

Professional Programs
Course work offered is accreditged by the California Board of Nursing, Board of Behavioral Sciences, Community Care Licensing, and the Nursing Home Administrators Program. Program participants include licensed professionals, hospitals, educational institutions and professional associations. Journey Project personnel routinely provide staff training and program development assistance to organizations dedicated to improving quality of life care and life through life’s end.

Clients Served (partial listing)

  • In Home Support Services Public Authority
  • Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency
  • Partnership Health Plan of CA
  • Friends House – A Continuing Care Retirement Community
  • Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center
  • Staff Nurse Union, Memorial Hospital
  • West County Community Health Centers
  • Petaluma Valley Hospital

Funders and Sponsors

  • California HealthCare Foundation
  • California Coalition for Compassionate Care
  • Community Foundation Sonoma County
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation – Last Acts Rallying Points Program
  • Marco A. Vidal Fund
  • Pacific Foundation for Medical Care
  • Schulz Donor Advised Fund
  • St. Joseph Health System of Sonoma County
  • The California Endowment

Awards and Endorsements

Professionals utilizing Journey Project services echo comments like these time and again:

  • This project does wonderful work. The greater world needs to know about it!
  • Very provocative, uplifting. Exceptionally well done!
  • Reaffirmed our mission to help people die with dignity and support.
  • Made me more aware of the need to do my own end of life care planning.

Advisors Emeritae

  • Pat Eliot
  • Helen B. Rudee
  • Arlene Ulmer

Testimonials

Susan Keller’s presentation was excellent, her materials helpful and her ability as a speaker appreciated. She deals with a difficult topic in a most interesting way. Alisha Myers, Senior Class Coordinator, Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital

There is much valuable advice here . . . a valuable addition to medical nursing schools, and hospital libraries. Dr. Paul Fremont-Smith, Physician-in-Chief Emeritus, New England Baptist Hospital, Boston MA

The Journey presentation was one of the best organized lectures I ever heard on any subject. Will Alexander, Ph.D.

This information would be beneficial to much of the population from seniors to healthcare providers. Marilyn Townsend, Volunteer Coordinator, Phoenix Hospice

The Journey Project truly has made a difference in the daily lives of residents involved with this work including those with early stage dementia. Aileen Litchfield, R.N., former Administrator, Chancellor Place Assisted Living Residence

Tops! I so wish this excellent guide had been available at the time of my mother’s demise. Families facing the death of a loved one need this guidance and invaluable checklists and forms! Nancy Walker, Retired Teacher and Professional Caregiver

Contact Us
The Journey Project

Community Network for Appropriate Technologies
100 Coronado Circle
Santa Rosa CA 95409

Telephone: (707) 539-2364