Domus Pacis Family Respite

The mission of Domus Pacis Family Respite is to offer individuals that have suffered from a traumatic medical event such as cancer, a homelike environment that encourages interaction between other family members and caregivers in a comfortable and peaceful surrounding. Domus Pacis provides families with a break from cancer through week-long family respite trips to Summit County, Colorado. The goal is to remove the economic barriers associated with travel, lodging and meals, helping to lessen the stress that comes with planning a family getaway and collaborating with health care professionals to ensure the person?s medical state is OK to travel. Established in June of 2008, the program has grown from 8 families in its first year to 70 families just four years later. The goal for 2013 is 100 families. Domus Pacis Family Respite is a registered 501C3 and relies upon the generosity of over 90 Summit County second homeowners to donate weeks when their property isn?t being used and would sit vacant. Creating these once in a lifetime respites would not be possible without the help from over 100 businesses, including restaurants and activities that donate meals and gift cards. Volunteers are an integral part of the program by baking, providing meals, helping out in the office, planning events and fundraising.

Domus Pacis Family Respite hosts families in Summit County, Colorado, where donated private homes provide week-long respite stays. While the respite location is in Summit County, the organization serves families from across the United States who are navigating a cancer diagnosis.

Families are referred through healthcare professionals, social workers, and partner organizations nationwide. Many guests travel from Colorado and neighboring states, though families come from across the country depending on need and medical eligibility to travel.