In a world that often shies away from conversations about death, one nonprofit is breaking the silence – offering grief literacy, end-of-life doula training and services, and a compassionate space to normalize discussions about life’s final chapter.
The Peaceful Presence Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “reimagine and transform the way communities talk about, plan for and experience the last stage of life. We are cultivating a Compassionate Communities Model of Care in the United States, working to improve death literacy and improve the end-of-life experience for all.”
Founded in Bend in 2019 by three local women – Elizabeth Johnson, Erin Collins and Kari Sims Anthon – this organization is committed to bringing light to a cycle of life that often is left in the shadows. Each from different walks of life and backgrounds, these women met and discovered common goals and a passion for end-of-life care. “We found that we had a really compelling complimentary skill set and realized that there was the potential to build something, though we didn’t know exactly what that would look like,” stated Elizabeth Johnson, co-founder of The Peaceful Presence Project. “We realized that this region needed more of what we call death and grief literacy, community-based competency to support those at the end-of-life, and their families.”
A key service provided by this organization is education and training for end-of-life doulas (EOLDs). According to The Peaceful Presence Project website, an EOLD is a “compassionate companion who provides non-medical support and guidance to individuals and their loved ones as they navigate the complexities of serious illness, dying, death, and grief.”
They first began offering their EOLD training program in 2020, and quickly transitioned to a fully online program due to COVID. “For us, the pandemic was a catalyst of sorts,” recalls Johnson. “The only way we could reach people was through an online training program. Erin and I created all of the content, recorded the videos and suddenly, we had people signing up from all over the country, Canada and Mexico.” To date, the organization has trained over 800 people across the U.S. and now offers their training platform in Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
Although their goals have not changed, their scope has evolved. Along with training programs and continuing education, the organization has also secured foundation funding to provide EOLD care to anyone who wants these services but cannot afford it. They also received funding to bring advance care planning to those experiencing homelessness, completing over 185 advance directives with individuals.
A unique organization in Oregon, The Peaceful Presence Project is making connections and building networks. Through their model and work, the hope is to share best practices from Oregon communities with others around the state, nation and beyond.
“Our goal is to empower, educate and network, creating a web of connection between people,” Johnson states. “What that looks like, in each community, will be very different. But, it’s raising the awareness that we do have this social capacity to make the experiences of death and dying different, supported and more peaceful. Those who acknowledge their mortality live more vibrant, connected lives.”
Join The Peaceful Presence Project at their annual fundraiser, Groundswell, on September 13 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
ThePeacefulPresenceProject.org
Elizabeth Johnson, MA
Co-Founder & Executive Director, NEDA-Proficient End-of-Life Doula
A Bend resident since 2011, Elizabeth Johnson grew up in Montana, lived in Seattle and later graduated from the University of Oregon with a master’s degree in Urban Planning and Community Development. Johnson spent seven years working internationally in India and Central and South America, focusing on experiential education and consulting.
Johnson’s journey to end-of-life care began with the death of her newborn son in 2010. “That experience brought death and grief to my doorstep, and I quickly realized how unprepared our culture was to offer the kind of support I deeply needed,” says Johnson. With a background in community development, she recognized an opportunity to reimagine social systems so that more people receive meaningful care during life’s most profound transitions. It was this vision that led her to co-found The Peaceful Presence Project in 2019.
As for why she does this work, Johnson admits to being motivated by a deep belief in both the personal and collective ability to care for one another more fully. “With the right knowledge and support, people can confidently offer compassionate care and companionship through serious illness, death, and grief—these experiences don’t have to feel overwhelming,” she explains. “Through our educational programs and end-of-life doula services, we help transform these moments for individuals and communities. I’m grateful to play a small role in shaping how people live, die, and grieve with greater connection and support.”
Erin Collins, MNe RN CHPN RYT
Co-Founder & Director of Programs, NEDA-Proficient End-Of-Life Doula, 2022 Cambia Health Foundation Sojourns Scholar
A Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Registered Nurse with a Masters degree in Nursing Education from OHSU, Erin Collins has been a nurse for over 17 years, 12 of which have been serving in hospice and palliative care in Bend. Her nursing career began in Portland in 2007 where she worked in both adult and pediatric oncology.
“As a bedside nurse at Partners In Care, I saw that many patients were admitted to hospice in denial of their death, anxious and afraid of dying, and largely unprepared for death,” Collins states. “I wanted to expand my nursing impact to the wider community to get people talking about death and planning ahead for the end of life.” In 2019, with end-of-life doula training complete, Collins met Johnson and Anthon, and together they created The Peaceful Presence Project. One goal of the organization is to serve anyone who desires support, regardless of their ability to pay.
Collins is passionate about training others as EOLDs to walk alongside individuals and families during the dying process, providing a steady, compassionate presence. “I believe that the end-of-life can and should be honored and celebrated just as much as the beginning of it,” notes Collins.
Her goal is to help empower others to care for each other with compassion and tenderness and to know what to expect when someone is dying or grieving. “Our work is important because there are community members who desire presence and support throughout serious illness and the end of life, and who may not have that, for many reasons. Everyone deserves to feel surrounded by love and kindness as they near the end of life.”
Kari Sims Anthon, C-IAYT, ERYT-500 YACEP
Co-Founder & Program Manager, NEDA-Proficient End-of-Life Doula
Kari Sims Anthon grew up in Ojai, a small, rural town in Southern California known for its orange orchards and spiritual and wellness community. After high school, Anthon studied Sociology and Film at UCLA. After graduation, she immediately trained to become a Yoga Therapist, spending several years living and teaching yoga abroad in both England and New Zealand.
Anthon moved to Bend with her husband in 2006 before settling in Sisters a few years later. In 2009, she opened her yoga studio, Live, Love, Yoga. Her journey to end-of-life care began when she was just 12 years old and her father was diagnosed with cancer. Years later, Anthon cared for her mom at the end of her life, while also caring for her young son. These experiences inspired Anthon to want to address the gaps in support for individuals and families during end-of-life.
In 2018, Anthon became certified as an EOLD to help her process her own grief and deepen her understanding of the experience. After co-founding The Peaceful Presence Project with Johnson and Collins, it became clear that the work they do is incredibly important. “As doulas, our role is to advocate, educate and provide support, offering a safe, non-judgmental space where people can reflect and celebrate their lives, helping to relieve feelings of overwhelm and fear, empowering individuals to take control of their end-of-life experience.”
Her work in end-of-life care has become her true purpose. “It allows me to contribute to building a more compassionate community, walk alongside others during their most challenging moments, and help bring peace and acceptance to our shared mortality. Confronting death daily deepens my love for life - and reminds me of how precious our time together truly is.”
Lindsay Compton
Program Coordinator, NEDA-Proficient End-of-Life Doula
Originally from the Midwest, Compton attended the University of Oregon and later received her Master’s in the Art of Teaching from Pacific University. In 2006, Compton moved to Bend to begin working as a middle school teacher. After 15 years in the classroom, Compton made some career changes that opened time in her schedule for volunteering, and she chose hospice. Through this work, she began to learn about end-of-life care.
Although like many, Compton did not often consider the subject of death and dying, she had come to realize that death was something she could not avoid and never understood why it was such a taboo subject in our society. When her father was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, Compton knew there had to be a better path and way to support him.
After serving as a hospice volunteer in the rural community where she lived, Compton decided to join a cohort group with The Peaceful Presence Project’s Rural Oregon Professional End-of-Life Doula Training. Through this training program, she learned new skills and gained knowledge and purpose. Compton moved back to Bend and joined The Peaceful Presence Project as the Program Coordinator in 2024.
In her previous career as a public-school teacher, Compton was passionate about ensuring that children felt seen, loved and heard. Now as an end-of-life doula and program coordinator for The Peaceful Presence Project, her mission is to be with the dying and their families with the same focus and attentive care, supporting the education and sharing of knowledge around the subjects of death, dying and grief with others. “There is a better path for everyone when we normalize the conversations, provide support, and increase education about death and dying.”