Teens Explore End-of-Life Care at Hospice Facility in Santa Barbara
Patricia Martellotti
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – For several months, Katja Broomberg volunteered at a hospice center in Santa Barbara.
“It’s been a really eye opening experience … I don’t know how much it would mean to mean to me,” said student Broomberg of Laguna Blanca School.
Broomberg joined several students from Laguna Blanca sShool to work closely with residents, staff, and volunteers of Sarah House, home for end-of-life care.
“To be able to introduce to young people … in a way that hopefully … they’re not afraid but rather curious about this … plant more seeds … with different communities,” said administrator Paloma Espino of Sarah House.
“There was a resident at the house i was close with … he passed away unexpectedly … it hurt a lot … but it was that experience that thought me life goes on even with death,” said Broomberg.
Their experience at Sarah House was so powerful, students created an entire production exploring themes of death, dying, and care.
“It has really changed the way I think about … to live in the moment and appreciate everything I have,” said student Ada Green of Laguna Blanca School.
While this is the first time these students have worked with Sarah House, they’re hoping it won’t be their last.
“I’m hoping each one will have a better understanding of the end of life and will appreciate their own lives,” said artistic director Peter Lackner of Laguna Blanca School.
The teen cast hopes this production will ignite empathy throughout the community for years to come.
“Death is not the end of life … it’s a part of it,” said Broomberg.
The Sarah House Journals: End of Life Care Through the Eyes of Laguna Blanca Students kicks of on Tuesday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m., and on Wednesday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m., at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, 1535 Santa Barbara Street.
All proceeds will benefit Sarah House.