About Eva and The DreamCatcher Circle
Rooted in Healing. Guided by Ancestry. Serving with Compassion.
Welcome to The DreamCatcher Circle—a space of sacred presence, cultural reverence, and holistic end-of-life care. Founded by Eva Navarrete, this initiative was born from a deep calling to reimagine how we approach death: not with fear, but with dignity, meaning, and love. Eva is a Vermont University-trained End-of-Life Doula, Advance Care Planning Consultant, and Holistic Health Practitioner with over two decades of experience supporting communities through life’s most vulnerable and transformative moments.
Eva’s Journey & Purpose
Since 2001, Eva has been dedicated to improving the lives of individuals facing serious illness, systemic barriers, and the emotional complexity of end-of-life care. Her work bridges the spiritual and the practical—offering guidance that is as grounded as it is compassionate.
She has spent over 20 years coordinating and leading community-based health programs across Southern California, always with a focus on equity, education, and human dignity.
A Champion for Accessible Death Care
Eva’s commitment to healthcare equity led her to become the founding facilitator of San Diego’s first Spanish-speaking breast cancer support group for underserved Latinas through the Susan G. Komen Foundation (2007–2014).
She also played a leading role in the creation of the Bilingual Cancer Patient Navigator Program—a groundbreaking initiative that removed cultural and language barriers, empowered patients, and helped countless women receive timely, compassionate, and life-affirming care.
Today, she brings that same passion and advocacy to the world of end-of-life care—helping individuals and families navigate their journeys with clarity, compassion, and connection.
Community Education & Healing Circles
Eva is deeply committed to educating Spanish-speaking communities about their rights, care options, and cultural empowerment at the end of life. She leads monthly bilingual Death Talks & Charlas—offered both virtually and in person—as part of her Healing Circle initiative.
Her goal is to create safe, stigma-free spaces where people can speak openly about death, dying, and legacy, while learning to embrace these transitions with reverence and preparedness.
Collaborations & Community Leadership
Since 2020, Eva has collaborated with a range of organizations to advance death literacy and culturally sensitive care, including:
Compassion & Choices
San Diego Coalition for Compassionate Care
National PACE Association
Binational Health Week at the General Mexican Consulate
Together, they’ve hosted over 30 bilingual educational events in San Diego and Tijuana, reaching individuals and families across cultural and generational lines.
The DreamCatcher: A Sacred Symbol
The dreamcatcher holds deep ancestral meaning for Eva. It represents protection, interconnectedness, and the eternal cycle of life and death—a sacred journey without beginning or end.
For Eva, it is a spiritual talisman:
A tribute to her ancestors
A reminder that love and energy transcend time
A symbol of the unseen threads that unite us in both life and death
Disclaimer: Dreamcatchers are sacred to Indigenous peoples. Eva honors their cultural origin and does not claim to represent Native traditions. This symbol is used in The DreamCatcher Circle with the utmost respect and acknowledgment of its spiritual roots.
Eva’s Philosophy
Eva’s work is guided by two core commitments:
Supporting patients and families during their most vulnerable transitions
Continuously educating communities to foster empowerment and equity
Her holistic, trauma-informed approach allows her to meet people exactly where they are—emotionally, culturally, and spiritually—ensuring that no one has to walk this journey alone or uninformed.
She believes that everyone deserves to feel supported, understood, and honored at the end of life.