A Sanctuary in the Finger Lakes: Community, Care, and Legacy at Vincent House with Jackie Council

<p>In this episode of <em>Before You Go</em>, host Natalie Buster sits down with Jackie Council, Executive Director of Vincent House—a two-bedroom Omega home situated in the rural farm country of Wayland, New York. Serving upstate New York&#39;s Finger Lakes region since 2000, Vincent House provides compassionate, cost-free comfort care for individuals with a prognosis of three months or less.</p><p>Jackie shares the home’s unique origins—from community members purchasing a vacant Catholic convent for just one dollar to becoming an essential refuge in a rural resource drought. She discusses how a deeply committed, intergenerational volunteer base powers their daily resident care, the creative and intuitive therapies they incorporate, and why honoring each person’s unique life story transforms end-of-life care into a celebration of humanity.</p><ul><li><p><strong>From Convent to Comfort Care:</strong> How a local doctor, church members, and neighbors transformed an empty convent into a peaceful, two-bedroom home for the dying.</p></li><li><p><strong>Bridging the Rural Gap:</strong> Overcoming transportation barriers and limited in-home services across multiple rural counties to offer a safe alternative to hospitals.</p></li><li><p><strong>The Intergenerational Volunteer Family:</strong> How over 100 volunteers ranging from age 16 to 92 run resident care shifts, design gardens, bake treats, and build community connections.</p></li><li><p><strong>Holistic &amp; Intuitive Care:</strong> Enhancing traditional comfort care with Reiki, massage therapy, an emotional support dog named Marvin, creative art grief circles, and community drum sharing.</p></li><li><p><strong>Honoring Life Stories:</strong> Writing personal guest bios, celebrating milestones, conducting pinning ceremonies for military veterans and nurses, and creating space for families to stay together.</p></li></ul><p><strong>Learn more &amp; connect:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Vincent House: https://vincenthouseny.org/</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Omega Home Network:</strong><a href="https://omegahomenetwork.org"> <u>omegahomenetwork.org</u></a></p></li><li><p><strong>Follow ABODE Contemplative Care for the Dying:</strong> <a href="https://abodehome.org/"><u>https://abodehome.org/</u></a></p></li><li><p>Find us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/abodecontemplativecare/"><u>https://www.instagram.com/abodecontemplativecare/</u></a></p></li><li><p>Find us on Facebook <a href="https://