Hi, Jess here.
I am an educator, servant leader, and doula with over 20 years of professional experience facilitating individuals and groups in the experience of grief, learning, and change. I live in Essex with my family—a spouse, two children, and two cats. I stayed in Vermont after attending Saint Michael’s College for my B.A. in English and, years later, my M.Ed. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Many grateful years of teaching adolescents then teaching group facilitators, educators, and leaders inform all of my work. Grief is one of the hardest and most relentless teachers from which I’ve learned. Being with you on this journey is one of the greatest privileges of my life.
With love and gratitude,
Jess Barewicz, M.Ed.
The Longer Version
People often ask me how I got into this vocation. As is often the case, the call was within me long before I knew how to answer. I became a death doula after decades in the field of education as an English teacher and school principal. I became a death doula after a lifetime of experiencing people die, after being born two months early and expected to die myself. I became a death doula 20 years after hearing Alua Arthur use the term and thinking, “wow, that’s a job?! I’d love to do that someday.” I do not take for granted that someday is now. When I’m not sitting vigil or facilitating a group, my favorite things to do are block printing, reading, writing, walking, playing, baking, soaking in hot water, and laying in grass.
Your last days are no less important than your first. In education my work required attuning to others to facilitate ever-improving outcomes. My job was to ensure that among endless possibilities and pathways that at least some results were guaranteed; doula work feels similar. I guarantee unconditional care, non-judgemental listening, advocacy, and compassion. I used to talk a lot about a life of one’s own design. I have shifted to also consider a death of one’s own design. Now I am a student of those I serve to better understand how to support last experiences in alignment with deepest wishes. I am here to help you to move toward only what the ending can answer.
Education
and Training
End-of-Life Doula, University of Vermont
Pediatric End-of Life Doula, University of Vermont
Grief and Bereavement Specialist, University of Vermont
M.Ed. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Saint Michael’s College
B.A. in English, Saint Michael’s College
Critical Friends Group facilitator and trainer
Professional Learning Groups facilitator and trainer
Specific areas of training, experience, and/or affinity:
trauma-informed and trauma-responsive care
LGBTQIA+ end-of-life care
ends of pregnancy
pediatric death
school crisis intervention and grief support
group facilitation and professional development
organizational support and systems work
retreats, ceremonies, and rituals designed to the needs of a specific community/place/people