Friendship Adult Day Care Center in Santa Barbara — The Friendly Finch: April

APRIL 2025

Dear Friendship Center Families and Friends,

March was a month of exciting growth here at Friendship Center!

We welcomed several new faces to our incredible team, bringing us to nearly 25 staff members strong. And the momentum doesn’t stop there— we’ve just completed the second month of offering our new transportation service, and we’re two weeks into offering programs at the Carpinteria Healthy Aging Hub!

These new offerings are a direct response to what you, our families and community, have told us you need. We’re building not just with our hearts, but with intention and care—because we believe in doing what works, and doing it with love.

To keep the dialogue going, I’ll be hosting our first Friendship Center Family & Friends Forum to share information about our growth & answer any questions on Wednesday, April 23 at 4:30 PM (click to pre-register here). This hybrid meeting will give you the option to join us either in person at Friendship Center or virtually via Zoom. If you plan to attend in person, you must RSVP in advance so we can prepare accordingly.

Thank you, as always, for walking this journey with us. Every step forward is possible because of your trust, your input, and your ongoing support.

With gratitude,

Kathryn Westland, MPH

Executive Director/Big time mini-van-fan!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Below: Ana the office pug and just a few of her office supplies)

We need your help! Click to learn more about supporting Friendship Center

In this edition of the Friendly Finch…

  • Key Dates
  • Happenings @ The Hub
  • Program Activities
  • Volunteer Appreciation
  • Friendship Center in the News
  • March Moments
  • Caregiver Resources
  • Partner Happenings
  • Articles of Interest
  • Remembering Our Friends
  • Legacy & Leadership

KEY DATES

  • April 5th: Parkinson’s Symposium
  • April 9th: Friendship Center is featured as ‘non-profit of the month’ at Santa Barbara Young Professionals Club‘s April gathering
  • April 16th: Coffee for Caregivers
  • April 17th: Friendship Center closes @ 3:00pm (third Thursday of every month)
  • April 23rd: Senior Day @ SB Botanic Gardens
  • April 26th & 27th: Visit Friendship Center’s table at SB Earth Day Festival
  • April 30th: SENIOR PROM (RSVP required)
Friendship Center Family & Friends Forum: Register for this hybrid session to learn more and ask questions about the latest happenings at Friendship Center! Click Here

HAPPENINGS @ THE HUB

We’ve started smooth and steady in the first few weeks of the Carpinteria Healthy Aging Hub, welcoming a small group of current Friendship Center members who have already been part of our program for some time. It’s been a great way to ease into the space and shape the experience with familiar faces. We’re happy to share that we’ll be opening the program to new members starting this month!

In the meantime, we’ve had some special moments—including a ewe-nique visit from Elsa, a very sweet lamb who brought plenty of smiles. Thank you to everyone who’s helped us launch this new chapter in Carpinteria—we’re just getting started and hope to meet more of you!

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SEEKING CARPINTERIA RESTAURANT PARTNERS

At our Healthy Aging Hub we are creating a community-centered gathering space where older adults can reconnect with the heart of Carpinteria—including its incredible food scene. Many of our participants have fond memories of their favorite local restaurants, and we want to help them experience the joy of shared meals and flavors once again.

We are looking to partner with local restaurants in bringing this vision to life!

There are many ways to get involved:

  • Share a meal – Donate or offer a discount on a meal for a day, a month, or on an ongoing basis.
  • Provide a sweet treat – A weekly dessert to brighten someone’s day.
  • Offer a gift card – Perfect for program outings or caregiver appreciation.
  • Host a cultural cuisine experience – Introduce participants to your food, whether by visiting us or welcoming a small group to dine at your restaurant.

Note: our program meets on Tuesdays & Fridays and currently serves up to 12 participants per session.

This is a community-driven effort, and we are excited to highlight local restaurants and businesses that support this program.

Are you or is someone you know a restaurant owner/manager in Carpinteria?

If so, contact Adriana Rosales, adriana@friendshipcentersb.org, to get involved!

Carpinteria Healthy Aging Hub Activity Calendar April 2025

Click to Learn More about the Carpinteria Healthy Aging Hub

Thank you to our friends at the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center!

Program Activities

Montecito Day Program Activity Calendar

Click to View Our Montecito Day Program Monthly Activity Schedule

Connections Group

Guest Speaker Series Topics:

  • Tuesday 4/1 & Thursday 4/4: Bob Burtness
  • Tuesday 4/8: Austin Sharon- The Terrace Foundation- on Living longer, healthier, happier lives through sustainable nutrition and social interaction!
  • Thursday 4/10: Jeff Torok from The Key on Steps to Safety
  • Tuesday 4/10: TBD
  • Thursday 4/17: Gerrie Shapiro on Passover Traditions
  • Tuesday 4/22: Father Anchan- Rector of Christ the King Church on traditions, history and the food of India
  • Thursday 4/24: Melissa Tierney on Safety for Seniors
  • Tuesday 4/29: Deysi Herrera on the Wonders of Colombia!

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

Contact kim@friendshipcentersb.org

Volunteer Appreciation

April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month!

We are so grateful to everyone who shares their time and heart with us at Friendship Center. Your impact is felt every day. This month, we especially want to recognize the dedicated volunteers whose ongoing service, companionship, and talents help make our program the warm and wonderful place it is:

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  • Anna Thompson – Herencia Latina Volunteer
  • Ava Vandever – Photographer
  • Bob Burtness – Regular Connections Guest Speaker
  • Bruno Herzog – Connections Volunteer
  • Cycling Without Age Santa Barbara Friends!
  • Cynder Sinclair – Cycling Without Age Pilot & Board President
  • Gaby Guhl – Connections Volunteer
  • Gerrie Shapiro – Pet Therapy Program Lead & Regular Connections Guest Speaker
  • Gina Bell – Support Group Facilitator
  • Jeffrey Krutzsch – Support Group Facilitator & Board Treasurer
  • Jessica Jay– Professional Barber
  • Joe Wheatley – Support Group Facilitator & Board Vice President
  • Ken Starobin – Connections Volunteer
  • Paul Dider – Connections & Cycling Without Age Pilot
  • Vincent Turano – Support Group Facilitator

Friendship Center in the News!

KEYT – March 13, 2025
Friendship Center in Montecito opens new satellite site in Carpinteria
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Coastal View News – March 2025

Dementia care center expands to Carpinteria

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Noozhawk – February 2025

Empowering Seniors: The Friendship Center’s Commitment to Meaningful Aging

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Montecito Journal – 2025
Old & New Friends
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Noozhawk – March 2025

Montecito Bank & Trust Celebrates 50 Years of Serving Community

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Coastal View News – March 2025

Elsa the lamb visits Healthy Aging Hub

March Moments

Caregiver Support & Resources

Check out Friendship Center’s new virtual Dementia Resource Hub

Click to access no-cost supportive resources & services

Partner Happenings

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The Carpinteria Festival of Books is an opportunity for local-area authors to meet and speak with readers, and display, sign, and sell their work. Co-sponsored by The Carpinteria Writer’s Group and the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, this free public festival is open to traditionally and self-published authors. Participation requires membership at the Arts Center.* Authors will have an opportunity to do a public reading prior to the event on Saturday, April 26th at the Carpinteria Community Library.

When: Sunday, April 27th

Where: Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center Courtyard, 865 Linden Ave, Carpinteria, CA 93013

Application Deadline: Friday, April 18th

Note: This is a rain or shine event.

Click to Register

Holy Week at All-Saints-by-the-Sea:

Palm Sunday – April 13, 8am & 10am

Maundy Thursday – April 17, 7pm (with foot washing)

Good Friday, April 18, 12pm & 7pm (with chanted Passion)

Easter Vigil, April 19, 7pm (Choral Service)

Resurrection Sunday, April 20, 8am & 10am

Easter Egg Hunt for children will happen after the 10am service

Articles of Interest

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Keeping the Keys workshop can help prolong your driving years

Keeping the Keys is a workshop designed to help keep senior drivers on the road for as long as safely possible. The free hour-long presentation is filled with tips and resources for older drivers and their families. All attendees receive a free resource packet.

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 | 1 – 2:15 p.m. Register

First statewide survey of older LGBTQIA+ adults in California
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California Department of Aging (CDA) spearheaded the first statewide survey to explore the current and future health and wellbeing of California’s mid-life and older LGBTQIA+ population. This 2024 baseline survey, From Challenges to Resilience, aligns with the goals of California’s Master Plan for Aging, a blueprint for state and local governments and their philanthropic and private-sector partners to prepare for California’s growing population of older adults.

Read the Survey Summary Document

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The ‘Silent’ X Chromosome Gives the Aging Female Brain a Boost

UCSF researchers may have discovered how the female brain remains resilient in aging, answering an age-old question of how most women outlive men and retain their cognitive abilities longer.

Read more

Remembering Our Friends

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Madelyn Ratcliffe

04.15.1942 – 01.15.2025

Obituary

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Tom ‘the Magic Man’ Tourville

FC Volunteer Magician

06.08.1940 – 03.07.2025

Obituary

Leave Your Legacy

Legacy giving ensures that the vital work of Friendship Center continues for generations to come.

Consider including Friendship Center in your will or estate plan, such as through a bequest, planned gift, or significant lifetime gift. By doing so, you become a member of our esteemed Legacy Society.

If you would like to learn more about the ways you can invest in Friendship Center and leave a lasting legacy in our community, our Legacy Liaison, Heidi Holly at legacy@friendshipcentersb.org

Support Our Work

Thank you for continuing to support Friendship Center as a member of our family, advocate of our work, or benefactor keeping our programs running. We are grateful to be able to spend our days with the finest of folks and welcome you to come visit us anytime!

Friendship Center Leadership & Partnerships

Officers

President

CYNDER SINCLAIR

Vice President

JOE WHEATLEY

Secretary

ZANDRA CHOLMONDELEY

Treasurer

JEFFREY KRUTZSCH

Member-at-large

JACQUELINE DURAN

Directors

VIVIAN ARMANIOUS

NATHAN BERO

MARTI CORREA DE GARCIA

PAT FORGEY

GRETCHEN HEWLETT

GERRIE SHAPIRO

STEPHEN SHARPE

MONICA VIDGER-TRENT

Executive Director

KATHRYN WESTLAND, MPH

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