lean on us

Background Statement

lean on us is a group of local volunteers and donors who want to help support individuals and families as they travel through their final chapter. The ideal goal is to enable a loved one to pass at home, surrounded by the love and comfort of family and friends. This is accomplished in part, by providing or coordinating a basket of support services like meals, companionship, references, transportation, caregiver respite, hospice counseling, emergency financial assistance accommodations and the love and care of the Summit community.

Founded by Duck and Vince White-Petteruti, the concept of lean on us evolved over time from the couple’s experiences with family and friend’s end of life journeys as well as lessons learned from Domus Pacis Family Respite, a not for profit which Duck started and ran for over seventeen years. The one common theme in all these learnings was that the last chapter can be very difficult for the individual and their caregiver, but with support and assistance can be a very powerful, impactful and sacred experience for all who are involved.