Our Mission: To care for anyone experiencing the impact 
of a life-threatening illness or grieving the death of a loved one.
People often come to us when they're grappling with the most difficult questions they've ever faced. They're looking for the best path of care and the best healthcare options for themselves or a loved one. Our Patient Care Services social workers are the ones who help them find those answers, whether that involves finding the right HSB service or another program in our community.
 
It's all in the name of making sure everyone who walks in the door receives the best care, and it's why I'm proudly honoring America's more than 600,000 social workers in March for Social Work Month. These professionals have touched countless lives, and I'd like to take the chance to acknowledge the compassion and dedication I see from our experienced social workers every day. 

HSB Accepting "I Have a Friend®" program Mentor Applications

Hospice of Santa Barbara is now accepting applications from adults who experienced the death of a parent or sibling as a child and are interested in becoming a mentor in the "I Have a Friend®" program.

Mentor volunteers are trained and matched with children who have recently experienced a similar loss. Mentors help a child to heal, thrive and feel "normal" again.

"Many of our mentors previously never saw themselves in this sort of position and didn't think they really had anything to offer," said David Selberg, HSB CEO. "However, they went on to form these incredible relationships with some kids who really needed them. All you need is a desire to help."

Being a mentor can involve activities such as attending special group events, going out to a meal or simply meeting up to talk. Mentors must attend two training sessions that will be held at the HSB offices, 2050 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite #100, Santa Barbara.

For more information and a mentor application, please visit hospiceofsb.org or contact Nicole Romasanta, Director of Volunteer Services, at (805) 563-8820.      
Make a Difference! Volunteer at HSB

We have volunteer opportunities available for compassionate individuals interested in providing emotional, social and practical support to people with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Patient Care Volunteers play a vital role as part of the Hospice of Santa Barbara Team. 
 
Training sessions will be held on six consecutive Tuesdays April 26 - May 31. The sessions will be held noon - 3 p.m. at HSB. Applications are due April 15 and seating is limited, so give Nicole Romasanta, Director of Volunteer Services, a call today at (805) 563-8820. 
HSB's Look at Anticipatory Grief
We often begin anticipating a loved one's death when there is a diagnosis of a life-threatening illness, experiencing feelings such as fear and anxiety, as well as exhaustion. This is known as anticipatory grief and can be felt by friends, family and even caregivers.

While we may feel anticipatory grief while our loved one is still alive and well, it bears many of the same symptoms as conventional grief. Grief is often defined as progressing through stages, such as anger, sadness, denial, anxiety, depression and acceptance. However, there is no single, monolithic experience of grief.

There are several areas of preparation when someone is dying: there are material matters - estate or legal issues with property; there are medical issues with the care of dying; and there are emotional and spiritual issues, which is what HSB most often addresses.

HSB anticipatory grief counseling helps with these concerns by providing:
  • Emotional/supportive counseling to support one's ability to cope.
  • Discussion and support for treatment decision making, quality of life issues and completing advance directives.
  • Help for patients and family in preparing for the loss through practical assistance for things such as legacy work, funeral arrangements and memorial planning.
  • Connection to other supportive community resources as appropriate to an individual's needs and circumstances.
  • Year to Live, a yearlong support group at HSB.  The idea is to open more fully to life and to savor it while there is still time.  We can simply begin now by saying "I love you" more often.
For more, visit us here.
Upcoming Events
Free End of Life Lecture by Dr. Ira Byock
The nation's leading expert on end-of-life care, Dr. Ira Byock, will present his lecture "Living Fully Through the End of Life" at 7 p.m. March 23.

Presented by the Alliance for Living and Dying Well, the lecture will be held at First Presbyterian Church -- 21 E. Constance Ave., Santa Barbara, 93105 - and cover how to ensure we receive the best care possible when we need it most. Admission is free.
Thank you for all that you do to support our work! 
It is a remarkable privilege to witness the difference we make for those we serve on a daily basis. It is only through your generosity that we can accomplish all that we do and will do in the future.

Donate Now
New Art Exhibition at HSB
Special thanks to artist Jim Hill for his exhibition now on display at the Leigh Block Gallery. The community got to take a close look Feb. 10 during a crowded opening reception. 

Call (805) 563-8820 to schedule a viewing. The exhibit will be on display until April 29, and Jim is donating 25% of proceeds from art sales to HSB!
1,200 Facebook Likes!  
 
Thank you to everyone who helped our Facebook page reach 1,200 Likes in February!  Join us as we spread the message about valuable resources and more for the community, families, our partners, and all who are grieving or coping with terminal illness.
Contact Us
Hospice of Santa Barbara
2050 Alameda Padre Serra
Ste. 100
Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Phone: (805) 563-8820
Fax: (805) 563-8821

Email: info@hospiceofsb.org

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