While spring is in full bloom and our days are buzzing with activity at Friendship Center, I’m writing with a sincere request: we need your help.

This week marks the launch of our Spring Appeal, and we’re working toward raising $50,000 to support the rapidly growing needs of our senior members living with dementia—and the family caregivers who rely on us to provide safe, engaging, and expert care.

If you’ve been following our journey, you’ve seen how quickly we’re growing. Since the start of 2025 we have:

• Opened a second site, our Carpinteria Healthy Aging Hub, to serve more families
• Expanded our culturally responsive programming, including our thriving Herencia Latina group
• Doubled the number of highly qualified, diverse and incredible staff (to meet the growing membership, which has also doubled over the last year!)
• Launched our very own transportation program to ensure no one is left behind due to lack of access
• Increased caregiver support programs, respite services, and # of daily hugs we give; to our members, to caregivers, to each other.

Today, it costs Friendship Center over $200 per day to provide each member with personalized support, therapeutic programming, nutritious meals, and safe transportation. Yet on average, families pay less than 30% of that cost.

To keep this level of care accessible, especially as needs grow and costs rise, we rely on the generosity of our community. Donate today.

We can’t do this without you.

Click above to watch our new video, created by Montecito Bank & Trust, highlighting our incredible work!

I hope you’ll also take a moment to give, share, or get involved. Every contribution helps us continue saying yes to families who need us.

Kathryn Westland, MPH

Executive Director/ Worker Bee

• May 15th: Friendship Center closes @ 3:00pm (third Thursday of every month)
• May 15th:Virtual Elder Abuse Prevention Training Conference (REGISTER HERE)
• May 21st: Coffee for Caregivers
• May 22nd: Aloha Senior Fair
• May 29th: Veteran’s Luncheon (RSVP HERE)
• June 10th & 17th: Advance Care Planning Sessions at Friendship Center (REGISTER)

SAVE THE DATE for Friendship Center’s Fall Fundraiser on

Friday, October 24, 2025

Program Activities

Montecito Day Program Activity Calendar

Connections Group

Guest Speaker Series Topics:

• Thursday 5/8: Bob Burtness on Bodie – a town frozen in time
• Tuesday 5/13: Jeff Garfinkle on The Moon
• Thursday 5/13: Fr. Israel Anchan on India, traditions, history, religion, and food
• Tuesday 5/20: Judith Stevens Long on The Future of Aging
• Thursday 5/22: Barbara Bartolome on The amazing life of a double dead red head
• Tuesday 5/27: Gerrie Shapiro on Art, music, history – fun
• Thursday 5/29: TBD

Would you like to share a story or topic of interest with our group?

Contact Nerely at programmanager@friendshipcentersb.org

We had a blast at our second annual Friendship Center Senior Prom! Members, their loved ones, and community friends enjoyed dressing up for a special lunch, dancing, and a having swinging good time.

Caregiver Support

Check out Friendship Center’s virtual Dementia Dementia Resource HubHub

June 1, 2025 The Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center Presents…

Kent Carlander

08.18.1938 – 03.11.2025

Obituary

Paul Krier

05.02.1948 – 03.17.2025

Obituary

Arden Day

02.24.1949 – 03.21.2025

Obituary

Our Spring Appeal is essential to sustaining the care and connection we provide every day, and we truly need your help to meet our $50,000 goal.

We are honored to spend our days with some of the finest folks you’ll ever meet, and we invite you to stop by anytime to see the impact of your support in action.

Friendship Center | 805-969-0859 | Annual Report| friendshipcentersb.org

Follow our social media pages, linked below, for regular posts about the day-to-day happenings at FC!