Photo of HSB CEO David Selberg
On Sunday, May 13th, many of us celebrated the women in our lives with a late morning brunch, handpicked flowers, and heartfelt cards.

But for those whose mothers are no longer with us, Mother’s Day can be a difficult time.

To the families mourning the loss of a mother or grandmother this year, I encourage you to celebrate the family you have around you. As a family, make an effort to spend dedicated time together and keep the memory of your mom alive in your hearts.

You can also honor the mother-like figure in your life whether she is a stepmom, aunt, a friend’s mother, or a teacher or mentor. Who you call family isn’t limited to genetics.

At Hospice of Santa Barbara, we’re privileged to serve a variety of unique individuals who we now consider part of our own family.

I wish all of our community members, supporters, and volunteers a happy belated Mother’s Day, and continued joy for the rest of this month!
Compassion Fatigue, by Nelson Hayashida
" Silence, at the threshold. I stand there, for a minute, honoring this sacred space, before entering Sarah House, the sanctuary where some from our Santa Barbara community come to live their final days. And die. Silence also reminds me of the special caregiving that takes place here, and the cost of compassion..."

Nelson Hayashida has served as a Spiritual Care Counselor at HSB since June of 2015. He moved to Santa Barbara from Pennsylvania in 2014 to take the position of Visiting Professor of Religious Studies at Westmont College during the sabbatical of a faculty member. He completed a year residency in Clinical Pastoral Education (C.P.E.) at Stanford University Medical Center/Palo Alto Veterans Administration Healthcare System in Palo Alto and another year residency in C.P.E. at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. He has had an enduring fascination with dreams and visions and their religious or spiritual implications for healing and growth. He and wife Sandra have two children and three grandchildren.
For Nurses, Serving DASH Enrollees and Families Was a Work of the Heart
by Jeanne West
"I have long enjoyed using a quote that seems somewhat pertinent here: “It’s not the building, it’s the people.” In this case, the success of DASH was “all about the program and all about the people” — with our enrollees and our nurses being “the people.” It didn’t matter where they lived or their status in life, each enrollee was valued and cared for according to their needs..."

Jeanne West, RN, MHA, is the community engagement manager for  Hospice of Santa Barbara . Read more about her experience as a DASH nurse.
Support Groups 
These groups offer an opportunity for you to connect with individuals facing your same situation. All support groups are co-facilitated by licensed professional and peer counselors.
Pre-group assessments are required prior to attending. No drop-ins please. You may inquire online or by calling our intake coordinator at (805) 563-8820.
Pet Loss
Support Group
May 29 - June 19
We share a special bond with our furry companions. In our Pet Loss Support Group, pet owners will share their experience with others who've recently lost a special member of their families.
Young Adult Bereavement Support Group
June 18 - August 6
This group is for young adults ages 19-30 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Share the experience of dealing with loss at an age when life is full of other challenges unique to a young adult.
The Five Invitations Workshop
We will be hosting the next four, two-hour workshops each focused on a specific “Invitation” from Frank Ostaseski’s book, "The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully."

Join us for our upcoming workshops on June 2nd, June 16th, June 30th, and July 14th from 10 am – 12 pm, we will be showing clips of Frank’s presentation with discussion about where we are in our life, and where we want to be at its ending, making this a meaningful, experiential opportunity. We hope that you will be able to attend.
We are very proud and excited to send you the link for the video of Frank's presentation at the Marjorie Luke Theatre:  http://www.hospiceofsantabarbara.org/video-page/ .
HSB SHARES
Thank You!
  • Thank you to Jack's Bistro and Famous Bagels for donating a $25 gift card to our CCC Community Breakfast raffle
  • Thank you to those who donated blankets and towels for Domestic Violence Solutions – the recipient of April and May’s HSB Shares Program
  • Thank you to Yoga Soup for their ongoing support to HSB staff
  • Thank you to Whole Foods for their weekly donation of flower bouquets to our clients
Help Fulfill Our Wish List
  • Gift cards to Bed Bath & Beyond/Amazon/Target (home goods stores) for family of mudslide victims to furnish new homes
  • Gift cards to Michael's for Children and Family Services' therapeutic art projects 
  • Books: See HSB's Amazon Wish List for details 
  • Gift certificates for ice cream or frozen yogurt, movie passes, museum passes and Zodo's Bowling passes for 'I Have a Friend' Program  
  • Grocery store, gas gift cards, and bakery gift certificates (Our families celebrate birthdays and death anniversaries of their loved ones)
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 in the future.
Phone: (805) 563-8820
Fax: (805) 563-8821