Our Story

In 1980, community volunteers came together to explore starting a hospice program in San Joaquin County. Recognizing the need for support for terminally ill patients who had exhausted curative treatment, they founded Hospice of San Joaquin as a non-profit organization. In 1989, after nine years of being a volunteer organization, Hospice of San Joaquin became Medicare and Medi-Cal certified. 

In 1990, Hospice of San Joaquin was honored as a Daily Point of Light recipient by the President’s Thousand Points of Light National Campaign for its volunteer services. At the same time, bereavement services were expanded to include programs for adults and children, school-based programs, grief and loss training sessions, individual counseling, support groups, and the annual memorial service, which included a butterfly release. The first children’s bereavement camp in San Joaquin County, Camp Caterpillar, was initiated in 2004 to support children who have experienced loss. We currently have a Camp Caterpillar in Stockton and Lodi. We are hoping to start serving the city of Tracy next year.

The Tree of Lights campaign, a holiday memorial program, was launched with the support of PG&E and Delta Community College. This initiative has grown to include Tree of Lights events in every city in the county, fostering a sense of community and shared remembrance. It has become the most successful tree-lighting event among hospices in California, a testament to the collective spirit of our community.

In 2004, The Hospice House was licensed by the Department of Health Care Services, offering an additional dimension of care for terminally ill patients. The Hospice House provides a higher level of care than can be provided in the home. The Butterfly Auxiliary members dedicate their efforts to fundraising to create long-term financial support for the Hospice House. 

In 2017, Hospice of San Joaquin, seeing a need in the community for care before coming on hospice service, started the Pacific Palliative Care program. This program manages symptoms for patients who are not terminally ill but need the expertise in symptom management that Hospice of San Joaquin staff has. 

The success of Hospice of San Joaquin is attributed to the dedication and vision of its founders, staff, volunteers, board members, and community supporters,  who have made a significant impact in providing compassionate end-of-life care in the region.