Resources

Bereavement Counseling

Bill Wilson Center / Centre for Living with Dying
408-243-0222
www.billwilsoncenter.org/services/all/living.html
Fee for service.  Sliding scale.  Located in San Jose.

Hospice of the Valley Center for Grief & Loss
408-559-5600
www.hospicevalley.org/programs-and-services/programs/community-grief-and-counseling-center/
Provides comfort through grief care.  Open to the community.  No cost.  Located in San Jose.

Kara
650-321-5272
kara-grief.org
Provides grief support for children, teens, families, and adults.  Fee for service.  Sliding scale.  Located in Palo Alto.

Pathways/Bereavement Program
408-773-4241
www.pathwayshealth.org/grief-support
Open to the community; No cost.  Located in Sunnyvale.

Soaring Spirits
https://soaringspirits.org
Soaring Spirits builds community. We create, and maintain, innovative peer-based grief support programs for widowed men and women that serve a worldwide population. Based on the powerful connections created by shared experience, we endeavor to ensure that no one need grieve alone.

Cancer Community Organizations & Groups

Bay Area Cancer Connection
650-326-6686
bcconnections.org
Supports people touched by breast or ovarian cancer by providing comprehensive, personalized services in an atmosphere of warmth and compassion.

Cleaning for a Reason
https://cleaningforareason.org
Any woman, man, or child in active cancer treatment may apply for services. Due to demand, patients are eligible to receive just one round of services through our program. 

Hers Breast Cancer Foundation
510-790-1911
www.hersbreastcancerfoundation.org
Supports all women healing from breast cancer by providing post-surgical products and services regardless of financial status.

Latinas Contra Cancer
408-280-0811
www.latinascontracancer.org
Spanish support group meets on 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 6:00 pm.  No cost for patients and family.

Living Strong, Living Well Program (LSLW)
650-498-4828
lslw.stanford.edu
Free 12-week small group strength and fitness training program for adult cancer survivors.

Mesothelioma
844-828-1494
www.asbestos.com
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com gives you the latest mesothelioma information, support and free access to top specialists for better care and peace of mind.

New Hope Chinese
408-609-3338
www.newhopecancer.org
Provides comprehensive services for Chinese cancer patients, families, and communities through services, education, advocacy and research.

Prostate Cancer Support Group
650-988-7762
www.elcaminohealth.org/stay-healthy/class/san-jose-prostate-cancer-support-group
Support and education group for men with prostate cancer and their partners.  Peer-led group.  Support group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 12:30-2:00 pm at El Camino Hospital, Conference Room 3.

Road to Recovery
1-800-227-2345
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/support-programs-and-services/road-to-recovery.html
Rides to cancer treatments.

Silicon Valley Ostomy Support Group
www.latinascontracancer.org
Support group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7:00-8:30 pm, O’Connor Hospital, 2105 Forest Ave., San Jose, Rosalie Rendu room in cafeteria.

Caregiver

Caregiver Action Network
855-227-3640
https://caregiveraction.org
Contact our Care Support Team, staffed by caregiving experts, to help you find the right information you need to help you navigate your complex caregiving challenges. Caregiving experts are available 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM ET.

Dementia Support

Death Doula
www.inelda.org
A Death Doula is a non-medical person trained to care for someone holistically (physically, emotionally & spiritually) at the end of life.

Financial Assistance

American Cancer Society
800-227-2345
www.cancer.org/treatment/finding-and-paying-for-treatment.html
Provides information about organizations that provide financial assistance.

Breast Cancer Emergency Fund
415-932-6020
www.cancer.org/treatment/finding-and-paying-for-treatment.html
Providing emergency financial assistance to low-income women and men battling breast cancer.

Cancer Care
800-813-4673
www.cancercare.org/financial_assistance
Assists with co-payments and treatment-related costs

Fiduciary Directory – California
wwww.cal-lpf.com
Management of financial affairs and/or medical affairs if mentally or physically incapacitated.

Lazarex Cancer Foundation
925-820-4517
www.lazarex.org
Assists advanced state cancer patients of any age and ethnicity, with any type of cancer, who wish to find out about or participate in an FDA (Federal Drug Administration) clinical trial; provides financial support directly to these individuals.

Modest Needs
https://www.modestneeds.org/index.asp
Modest Needs is a tax-exempt charity where you can make small, emergency grants to low-income workers who’re at risk of slipping into poverty and for whom no other source of immediate help is available.

Pennies from Heaven, Caleb’s Foundation
https://www.calebspennies.org
Dedicated to providing financial assistance to families with a critically ill child fighting for their life. Help comes by way of covering rent or mortgage payments, electric or medical bills, groceries, transportation and much more.

Ray Tye Medical Foundation
https://www.rtmaf.org
The Ray Tye Medical Aid Foundation’s charter and mission is dedicated to funding in-hospital life-saving medical treatment and surgeries for those who do not have medical insurance, and for which no other financial resources are available.

General Community Resources

2-1-1 Santa Clara County Resources
www.211bayarea.org
Available 24/7 for access to various community resources.

American Cancer Society
800-227-2345
www.cancer.org
Information and referral for cancer resources, National cancer information center, Patient lodging program, Road to Recovery (rides to treatment).

Asian Americans for Community Involvement
408-975-2730
www.aaci.org
Helping improve the health, mental health, and well-being of individuals and families.  Multi-lingual services.

Disability/Government
www.dol.gov/odep/topics/disability.htm
Disability resources.

Healthtrust
408-513-8700
https://healthtrust.org/provider/food/#mow
Providing nutritionally appropriate food to meet the complex health conditions of our most vulnerable populations.  Programs:  Food is Medicine, Meals on Wheels, Friends from Meals on Wheels, FOODBasket, Food in Housing, Produce Mobile at Tropicana, Food Access Pilot program.

Heart of the Valley, Services for Seniors, Inc.
408-241-1571
https://servicesforseniors.org/
Nonprofit, all volunteer organization helping seniors 65 years or older in West Santa Clara Valley by offering services and programs which help them maintain their independence.

Nursing Home Guide
800-474-1116
http://www.canhr.org/NH_Data/index.html
Nursing Homes, Choosing, Resident Rights, Filing Complaints, Care Standards, Paying & More.

Social Security/ Disability
800-772-1213
https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/
Apply for disability benefits.

State of California Care Facility Reports
916-651-8848
https://www.ccld.dss.ca.gov/carefacilitysearch/
The Community Care Licensing Division of the California Department of Social Services has provided this document search application to provide the public with access to information regarding facilities licensed by the Division.

Sunnyvale Community Services
408-738-4321
www.svcommunityservices.org
Non-profit providing emergency assistance preventing homelessness and hunger for low-income families and seniors.

Through the Looking Glass
https://lookingglass.org
Serving families with disabilities.

Home Repair

Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley
408-578-9519
https://rebuildingtogethersv.org
Safe at Home Program (home repair and maintenance), Critical Repair Program.

Safe at Home
https://dcoa.dc.gov/safe-home
The Department of Aging and Community Living Safe at Home Program provides safety adaptations in and around the homes of qualifying seniors and adults with disabilities. 

Funeral

Ethical Will
http://www.life-legacies.com/ethicalwills/
Help with writing a document where you can tell your story, transmit values, pass on life lessons, express spirituality, gratitude, ask forgiveness, state burial wishes.

Low Cost Cremation
http://www.cremationfuneralhomes.com

Insurance

Patient Advocate Foundation
800-532-5274
www.patientadvocate.org
Solving Insurance and Heathcare access problems

Legal Services

Law Foundation of Silicon Valley
408-293-4790
www.lawfoundation.org
Information and referrals.

Lawyer Referral Service, Santa Clara County Bar
408-287-2557
sccba.site-ym.com
30 minute consultation with an experienced attorney.

Senior Adults Legal Assistance (SALA)
408-295-5991
www.sala.org
Free legal assistance for adults 60+

American Bar Association – pro bono directory
https://www.americanbar.org
In the site search: Pro Bono Resource Directory.

Medical Treatment Information

American Cancer Society
800-227-2345
www.cancer.org/treatment.html
Information and referral for cancer resources.

American Society of Clinical Oncology
571-483-1780
www.cancer.net
Provides timely, comprehensive information to help patients and families make informed health care decisions.

National Cancer Institute
800-422-6237
www.cancer.gov
Federal government’s principle agency for cancer research and training.

The Second Opinion
415-775-9956
www.thesecondopinion.org
Provides cancer patients the opportunity to have board-certified cancer specialists review their medical records to give a second opinion at no cost.

Mental Health Resources

Almaden Valley Counseling Service
408-997-0200
www.avcounseling.org
Meeting the mental health concerns of all ages with an emphasis on youth.  Sliding scale available.  Located in San Jose.

Friendship Line, Institute on Aging
800-971-0016
https://www.ioaging.org/services/all-inclusive-health-care/friendship-line
Institute on Aging’s 24-hour toll-free Friendship Line is the only accredited crisis line in the country for people aged 60 years and older, and adults living with disabilities. We also make on-going outreach calls to lonely older adults.

Gardner Health Services
408-200-2291
www.gardnerfamilyhealth.org/SERVICES/#Mental
Serves predominately Latino and Asian Pacific Islanders – Medicare & Medi-Cal only.  Located in San Jose.

Suicide and Crisis Hotline
855-278-4204
www.sccgov.org/sites/bhd/Pages/home.aspx
Provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress; prevention and crisis resources.

Therapist Directory
http://www.psychology.com/therapist/

YWCA Counseling Clinic – San Jose
408-295-4011
www.ywca-sv.org/our-services/therapy-school-based-counseling-valor-training-center
Short and long term counseling and support services to clients of all ages including individuals, couples, families, and groups; adults, teens and children.  Sliding scale available.  Located in San Jose.

Senior Support

IHSS ( In Home Support Services)
https://www.sccgov.org/sites/ssa/daas/ihss/Pages/ihss.aspx
The In-Home Supportive Services program is a federal, state, and locally funded program designed to provide assistance to those eligible aged, blind, and disabled individuals who, without this care, would be unable to remain safely in their own homes.

Catholic Charities Day Break Centers
San Jose, St. Francis of Assisi Parish: 408-270-4900
Sunnyvale, First United Methodist Church (Chinese): (408) 282-1134
https://www.catholiccharitiesscc.org/daybreak-cares-enterprise
Adult daycare.

City of Santa Clara Senior Center
408-615-3170
http://santaclaraca.gov/residents/senior-center
1303 Fremont Street (at Monroe) in Santa Clara
Care Management services provided with no fee.

Heart of the Valley – Services for Seniors
https://servicesforseniors.org/
We are a nonprofit, all volunteer organization helping seniors 65 years or older in West Santa Clara Valley by offering services and programs which help them maintain their independence.

Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
http://www.canhr.org/factsheets/misc_fs/html/fs_PACE.html
The Program for All–Inclusive Care for the Elderly is a federally and state funded program that works towards helping the elderly live independently in the community. The goal is to keep them out of long-term care for as long as possible. PACE coordinates all–inclusive medical and social services that meet the particular needs of eligible seniors who have remained in the community but would otherwise need to be in long term care. PACE provides in–home care services in addition to transportation to adult day health care centers where participants can receive medical care, rehabilitative therapies, and social services.

Sourcewise
408-350-3200
https://mysourcewise.com
Resource for Seniors; Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy program, Caregiver Network, Meals on Wheels, Care Management, Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition program.

Staying Connected

Caring Bridge
651-789-2300
www.caringbridge.org
Free web-based resources to organize help and connect family and friends.

Lotsa Helping Hands
www.lotsahelpinghands.com
Free web-based resources to organize help and connect family and friends.

My Lifeline Cancer Foundation
888-793-9355
www.mylifeline.org
Free web-based resources to organize help and connect family and friends.

Transportation Services

American Cancer Society/Road to Recovery
800-227-2345
www.cancer.org/treatment/support-programs-and-services/road-to-recovery.html
Provides free transportation to and from medical appointments.

VTA Access Paratransit
408-321-2380
www.vta.org/getting-around/paratransit/accessibility-paratransit-service
Provides eligible individuals with disabilities who cannot use conventional public transit service due to their physical, visual or cognitive disabilities.  Application required.

Wish-Granting Organizations

Dream Foundation
https://www.dreamfoundation.org
Serving terminally-ill adults and their families by providing end-of-life Dreams that offer inspiration, comfort and closure.

The Granted Wish Foundation
https://www.grantedwish.org
Enriching the lives of physically challenged children and young adults by granting Sports and Celebrity Athlete Wishes.

Inheritance of Hope.
https://inheritanceofhope.org
Provides all expense paid retreats, scholarships, resources, and other support to young families with a parent who has a life-threatening illness.

Stella’s Wish Foundation
https://www.stellaswish.org
Stella’s Wish Foundation would be honored to grant a wish for you or someone you know who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 of a life-threatening cancer.