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Hospice of Santa Barbara Offers Support to Families Affected by Mudslide
Santa Barbara, Calif., Jan. 11, 2018 —Following the loss of life in Tuesday’s mudslide, Hospice of Santa Barbara is making itself available to individuals and families who may be grieving during this sorrowful time. If people have lost a loved one and or are struggling with grief, they can call Hospice of Santa Barbara at (805) 563-8820. Hospice of Santa Barbara is collaborating closely with schools, first responders, governmental agencies, and the Red Cross to provide counseling supportive services to families and the community. Their trained counselors are available at the “Family Assistance Center” set up by Santa Barbara County at the First Presbyterian Church located at 21 E. Constance St. on the corner of State St as well as their home offices at 2050 Alameda Padre Serra. “Our thoughts are with those who’ve been impacted by the flooding and the many families who have lost cherished loved ones,” said David Selberg, CEO of Hospice of Santa Barbara. “We are committed to helping not only during this critical time, but in the weeks and months to come.” Hospice of Santa Barbara is, as always, grateful for the many brave first responders committed to keeping everyone safe and out of harm’s way. As we begin to heal and rebuild, Hospice of Santa Barbara’s staff would like to remind the community that all of our services are offered to individuals and families free of charge and are also available in Spanish. It has been an incredibly difficult few weeks for our county, which is still recovering from the effects of the Thomas Fire. However, the staff at Hospice of Santa Barbara is convinced that our community will pull together as it has in the past, and together, we will make it through this devastating time. Hospice of Santa Barbara provides professional counseling, support groups, and patient care services free of charge to individuals and families who are grieving the death of a loved one or experiencing the impact of a serious illness. Hospice of Santa Barbara is also present on eight local junior and high school campuses to work with children and teens who are grieving the loss of a loved one. For more information about Hospice of Santa Barbara, including volunteer opportunities, call (805) 563-8820 or visit www.hospiceofsantabarbara.org. United Way Thomas Fire and Flood Funding Assists Easy Lift
Easy Lift one of 18 Local Organizations to Receive Financial Support from Fund Santa Barbara, Calif., June 1, 2018 -- Long before the storm hit Santa Barbara early January, Easy Lift drivers were already working around the clock helping residents, including the elderly, evacuate their homes. With the help of the Santa Barbara Office of Emergency Management, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and the Santa Barbara American Red Cross, Easy Lift used its specialized transportation services to help more than 600 individuals during the Thomas Fire and mudslides. To help recuperate those expenses and allow Easy Lift to continue serving the community, United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Long Term Recovery Committee has awarded the organization $15,000 through the United Way Thomas Fire and Flood Fund. “I would like to extend a special thanks to United Way of Santa Barbara County who stepped up as the advisory board for all of the recovered funds,” said Ernesto Paredes, Executive Director of Easy Life. “This money will serve as a reimbursement for the expenses acquired during this time. It will also allow us to maintain our budget.” Of the many evacuations Easy Lift drivers helped facilitate, their aid to Casa Dorinda, a Montecito-based retirement community, was one of the most significant. Due to the flooding, Casa Dorinda was short on water and electricity, compelling staff to find alternative, temporary housing for residents. Easy Lift transported residents to Vista Del Monte, Mission Terrace, Serenity House, Mariposa and a nursing home in Santa Maria. Additionally, Easy Lift continued to assist with coordinating transportation for individuals returning home or recovering items from their residences. For more information about Easy Lift, visit www.easylift.org/. Easy Lift is one of 18 community organizations to receive initial funding from the United Way Thomas Fire and Flood Fund. The Fund has grown to more than $4.5 million to support affected individuals and the organizations serving them in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. To date, over $3 million has been allocated from the Fund and additional distributions are forthcoming. Currently, in Santa Barbara County, a phase two disbursement is underway to provide relief to individuals and families directly. The phase two distribution is being carried out in partnership with Family Service Agency, which is providing case management for the individuals impacted by the disasters. Every dollar contributed to the United Way Thomas Fire and Flood Fund will be used to fund services that address the needs of the individuals and families affected by the disasters. For more information about recipient agencies, please visit www.unitedwaysb.org/thomasrecovery. United Way of Santa Barbara County United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) has the unique and positive vision that “in our community, everyone has a hopeful future.” Since 1923, UWSBC has served Santa Barbara County community through funding, volunteer development, and by utilizing its own unique initiatives that involve dozens of local non-profit and public sector agencies. UWSBC’s local community driven Power of Partnership™ priorities help children, families & seniors with a focus on Education, Income and Health. Hospice of Santa Barbara Offers “The Five Invitations Workshops” to the Community
Jeanne West, R.N., M.H.A. and Suzanne Retzinger, M.F.T., Ph.D., are the instructors of the Five Invitations workshop series. They use The Five invitation discussion questions developed by Frank Ostaseski to share what we can learn from the dying. Santa Barbara, CA, June 14, 2018— Last weekend, Hospice of Santa Barbara had the pleasure of hosting the second of its Five Invitations Workshops, “Welcome Everything, Push Away Nothing.” Since May 19, Hospice of Santa Barbara’s Community Education and Engagement Series has been presenting two-hour workshops focusing on a specific “invitation” from Frank Ostaseki’s book, The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully. About 105 people attended the June 2nd workshop and 70 people attended the May 19th workshop. These workshops are a follow up to Frank Ostaseski’s visit to Santa Barbara in March at the Marjorie Luke Theatre. Frank Ostaseki is the cofounder of the Zen Hospice Project, one of San Francisco’s first residential hospice facilities, and the Metta Institute, which offers educational programs related to spirituality and dying. He is a well-respected Buddhist teacher and has lectured at Harvard Medical School, the Mayo Clinic, and at major spiritual centers throughout the world. Through video presentations of Frank Ostaseki’s lectures, students learn how death can teach us to live life to the fullest, embrace opportunities, and make every day meaningful. “We’re excited to be offering this unique series to the community,” said David Selberg, Hospice of Santa Barbara CEO. “Death is something that affects all of us, but that’s not a bad thing. Frank Ostaseki teaches us to embrace that fact, and to be encouraged to live our lives more meaningfully.” WHAT: Five two-hour workshops focusing on Frank Ostaseki’s Five Invitations WHEN: May 19th, June 2nd, June 16th, June 30th, and July 14th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. WHERE: Bonaventure Room, Old Mission Santa Barbara COST: Free Pre-registration is required to attend the workshops. To learn more or to register for one of the workshops, visit http://www.hospiceofsantabarbara.org/five-invitations-workshops/. Hospice of Santa Barbara provides professional counseling, support groups, and patient care services free of charge to individuals and families who are grieving the death of a loved one or experiencing the impact of a life-threatening illness. Hospice of Santa Barbara also provides counseling in our offices and on eleven local junior and high school campuses to children and teens who are grieving the loss of a loved one. For more information about Hospice of Santa Barbara, including volunteer opportunities, call (805) 563-8820 or visit www.hospiceofsantabarbara.org. |
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CenCal Health Helps Meals That Connect Raise Significant Support for Seniors in Need
CenCal Health Employees and board members with Elias Nimeh, Meals That Connect Executive Director Santa Barbara, Calif., June 12, 2018 – CenCal Health is a proud supporter of Meals That Connect, a San Luis Obispo County-based organization that serves nutritious noontime meals every weekday to more than 1,650 seniors throughout the community. On May 12, Meals That Connect presented its 11th annual “Night of a Million Meals” fundraiser. The Monopoly-themed event raised more than $250,000, thanks in part to $100,000 in matching funds offered by CenCal Health. “CenCal Health is a local health plan, and because of our involvement in the community, we realize that there are needs that extend beyond the walls of a hospital or physician’s office,” said Bob Freeman, CEO of CenCal Health. “We are honored to partner with outstanding organizations like Meals That Connect, and equally pleased that they’ve recognized CenCal Health’s ongoing commitment to residents throughout the Central Coast.” Through this community partnership, CenCal Health is helping Meals That Connect in their mission to enhance health, restore dignity, promote independence and reduce isolation for aging residents in San Luis Obispo County. For seniors who are unable to leave their homes, Meals That Connect volunteers will personally deliver meals, using those visits as opportunities to check in on the seniors and provide emergency assistance if necessary. Community Action Commission (CAC) of Santa Barbara County also recently recognized CenCal Health for its commitment to improving access to healthcare for nearly 180,000 families and seniors throughout the Central Coast. CenCal Health was honored at the CAC 12th Annual Champions Dinner along with retired CAC executive director Fran Forman and Hancock College superintendent Kevin Walthers. Through its collaboration with both initiatives in the counties of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, CenCal Health seeks to improve the health of local seniors as well as promote their independence and reduce isolation. Earlier this year, CenCal Health celebrated its 10th Anniversary of service to San Luis Obispo County residents. CenCal Health has grown from a local Medi-Cal plan to becoming one of the most prominent regional health insurance providers. They have been serving members in Santa Barbara County for 35 years now. About Meals That Connect Meals That Connect is a nonprofit organization serving daily nutritious meals to seniors in San Luis Obispo County. The organization was founded in 1965 and incorporated as a nonprofit in 1991. In addition to serving noontime meals in ten community service centers around the county, Meals That Connect delivers meals to homebound seniors. The connections made at the community service centers decrease isolation and improve socialization among the senior community. For more information on Meals That Connect, please visit www.mealsthatconnect.org. About CenCal Health CenCal Health provides health insurance to the largest number of people on the Central Coast, providing health coverage for approximately 20 percent of residents in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. CenCal Health coverage is accepted by the vast majority of local health providers. CenCal Health also provides education and assistance to its members in order to reduce potential health problems from chronic illness such as diabetes and asthma. For more information, visit www.cencalhealth.org. Find CenCal Health on Facebook. Tips for Coping with the Loss of a Loved One
Hospice of Santa Barbara Offers Advice for Those Grieving During the Holidays Santa Barbara, Calif., November 27, 2017 — The holidays are officially in full swing, and it’s an exciting time to be thinking about all the wonderful memories we’ll be making with our close friends and family members. But perhaps this year, you feel an empty space in your heart for the loved one in your life who has passed away and won’t be a part of your annual holiday traditions. Though grief is a normal part of life, it can be especially difficult to cope with loss during one of the most joyous times of the year. Hospice of Santa Barbara encourages our community to not just “get through” the holidays, but to embrace the season as a time for healing. Here are a few tips we hope will be helpful to you:
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