MONTECITO — Veterans have sacrificed so much for our country that it is with great pleasure and humility that Friendship Center announces that its services and programs are recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs and that qualified veterans can attend its day program five days per week with fees fully covered. Friendship Center staff can provide assistance with the application process.
“Friendship Center wants the veteran community, their families and caregivers to become aware of this unique offering for the men and women who have served our country,” said Heidi Holly, Executive Director. “We know the caregivers of veterans have played special roles in their lives and welcome the chance to support them as well.”
In addition to the regular day program, a variety of daily activities and weekly workshops are available to members, including Connections and monthly Veterans Support Groups.
Connections, an ongoing weekly class focused on brain fitness, is designed to help those in early stages of memory loss to retain cognitive skills, including memory, logic, language, and math skills.
Friendship Center’s Veterans Support Group provides a comfortable, empathetic, and supportive environment where veterans can express their thoughts and feelings about military experiences and learn or reinforce coping skills. Facilitated by Carol Metcalf-Roth, MFT, Military Family Life Counselor, the group is open to all veterans and takes place the third Monday of each month, 2-3:30pm at the Montecito Center.
Licensed by Community Care Licensing as a social model adult day services center, Friendship Center has the goal of maximizing quality of life for all involved by providing social contact, engaging activities, nourishing meals, and supervision for those who attend their program and respite, support, and education for their family caregivers. The mentally and socially stimulating setting can play a huge role in alleviating participants’ depression, anxiety, and PTSD, as well as symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Respite for their family caregivers is essential to prevent burnout and avoid elder neglect or abuse, and day services provide a much more cost-effective solution than in-home or residential care, allowing families to stay together in their homes, as emotionally and financially healthy as possible.
For more information, please contact Friendship Center at (805) 969-0859 or visit www.FriendshipCenterSB.org
About Friendship Center: Started as a pilot program of Community Action Commission in 1976 at Friendship Baptist Church, Friendship Center moved to its current Montecito location on the grounds of All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1979. The Goleta Center opened in 2011, making our services more accessible to Goleta Valley residents.
For over four decades, Friendship Center has been “sharing the care”–serving aging adults in need of a social and supportive setting, and is proud to carry on its legacy of providing valuable adult day services to families throughout the Santa Barbara community.
Mission Statement: Friendship Center preserves and enriches the quality of life for aging and dependent adults through innovative programs that value the dignity and worth of every person. We provide respite, support and education, enabling families to continue to be engaged in their community, careers and commitments.