By Joanne Michielsen
When Journey Home opened its doors in May 1999, the small ranch house at the corner of Long Pond Road and Vintage Lane became the first Comfort Care Home in western Monroe County—and one of only a few in existence. The home was founded by Tracey Jagla, RN, BSN, who was determined to fulfill her mother’s dying wish. Jagla has served as the home’s director since its inception.
Before her passing from ovarian cancer in 1993 at the age of 58, Jagla’s mother, Jeanie Premo, asked her daughter to open a Comfort Care Home. She even selected the name “Journey Home” and helped Jagla’s husband design the logo.
“I’d worked as a community health nurse and hospice nurse since 1987, and I just found that I loved being with people in their own home and their own setting surrounded by their families, because then you could really give them the care that they need,” Jagla said. “I believe very strongly that you can find peace and comfort when someone is dying if you have support.”
For more than 26 years, Journey Home has embraced that philosophy. Staffed primarily by volunteers, the home provides guidance, support, and comfort to individuals and their families during the final stages of life. Over the years, more than 600 guests from Greece and the surrounding area have received care within its walls.
Journey Home serves two residents at a time who have a terminal illness with a prognosis of three months or less. They are referred by one of two Certified Hospice agencies: UR Medicine Hospice or Lifetime Care Hospice. Journey Home welcomes individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and medical conditions, and each potential resident is interviewed to ensure that the home is a good match for their needs.
“Our goal is just to make someone comfortable in the home setting, surrounded by love and care,” Jagla said. “We believe that death is a natural part of life. We don’t interfere, we don’t resuscitate them when their heart stops, and we also don’t rush life. We allow life to happen naturally in its fullest form, and that means the ups and downs. That’s why it’s called a journey. It’s not all roses. There are thorns on roses, too, and we’re there to offer the 24-hour care of someone always being there.”
Jagla emphasizes that Journey Home is not a medical facility—it is, intentionally, a home. While the care may mirror what families provide for loved ones within their own homes, the level of support is greater. Jagla personally asks each guest about their goals and works to honor them. “It’s all about what is going to make their life more precious and the memories for their family more precious,” she said. Over the years, the home has reconnected estranged families and even hosted a wedding.
Care is provided at no cost to families. Journey Home receives no insurance or third-party funding and relies solely on donations and memorials to operate. Volunteers form the backbone of the home’s model.
While direct resident care is the top volunteer need, the home couldn’t function without its many support caregivers. “They’re the people that do some baking, gardening, cleaning, maintenance, making phone calls to fill the schedule, and handwriting thank you notes,” Jagla said. “Anything that a normal home requires, we require.” All volunteers—whether assisting residents directly or helping behind the scenes—complete an orientation before beginning their service.
The rewards, Jagla says, are immeasurable. “Even though it’s difficult at times, the volunteers feel like they’re really helping someone,” she said. There is a great sense of accomplishment for a job well done. Those who have experienced loss themselves often find that volunteering brings comfort and healing, offering a meaningful way to support families in their most vulnerable moments.
The Comfort Care Home movement originated in Rochester, and while Journey Home was the first on the west side, Jagla said it’s been exciting to see others join the community over the past fifteen years. “We call ourselves sister houses and meet every few months to brainstorm and share our journeys.” The sister houses include Aurora House in Spencerport, Mt. Carmel House in Hilton, Patrick’s Place in Scottsville, and, most recently, Story of Hope in Chili. Although the homes do not share resources, they share the same hospice-oriented guidelines and philosophy of care.
Support Journey Home
Fundraising remains one of Journey Home’s most urgent needs. Because conversations about end-of-life care can be difficult, Jagla says comfort care is often overlooked in community giving. Many people also assume the home receives government or insurance funding—an assumption that is simply not true. To strengthen financial support, Journey Home recently launched a fundraising committee and is seeking volunteers.
In addition to the ongoing Buy-A-Brick Program for Journey Home’s Memorial Garden and Walkway, there are four fundraisers scheduled for this spring and summer.
- Saturday, April 11 – GO Car Wash on Latta Road: Spin the prize wheel and enjoy a wash, with 20% of proceeds supporting Journey Home.
- Wednesday, May 13 – Great American Diner, 850 Long Pond Road: Dine out between 2:30 and 8 p.m., with 20% of proceeds benefiting the home. Volunteers will be available to speak with anyone interested in learning more.
- Saturday, June 13 – Journey Home’s annual three-mile Walk-a-Thon around the block.
- Monday, August 3 – Annual Golf Tournament at Ridgemont Country Club.
For more information on Journey Home, visit journeyhomegreece.org, call 585-225-1240, or email office@journeyhomegreece.org.
