A Letter from the Director | | |
"You like me, you really like me!"
-Sally Field, 1985
-and Friendship Center, 2026
I know Friendship Center is beloved by so many in our community; it would be impossible for us to have existed for 50 years otherwise. But May was one of those months where we really felt the love.
We were honored to receive our first-ever grant from the Women's Fund of Santa Barbara, supporting the operation of our dementia-friendly transportation service. If you're unfamiliar with the incredible research, diligence, and care that the Women's Fund invests in every grant decision, let me assure you, this recognition is no small thing. Their team spent months getting to know Friendship Center, understanding our work, evaluating our impact, and determining whether we could deliver on the promises we make to our community.
The verdict? They really like us! And we really like them, too.
We were also honored as Nonprofit of the Year by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce and celebrated as a team of 40 at a beautiful gala last week. Our staff, Board of Directors, long-time supporters and my lovely mom were all dressed to the nines for a magical evening. As the other nearly 400 attendees could surely attest, Friendship Center brought the spirit to the room. We were cheering, hugging, crying, laughing, and basking in a shared sense of pride for the legacy of which we get to be part. Fifty years of serving thousands upon thousands of families…and we are nowhere near finished.
Awards and recognition are wonderful, but they are really reflections of the contributions, courage, and compassion of so many individuals; the extraordinary people who show up here every day with patience, kindness, humor, and hearts wide open. The people who sing songs to calm your nerves in the bathroom, recognize the abilities you have instead of the ones you've lost, find ways to make you smile even in the toughest moments, and create a place where our members and their families feel welcomed, valued, and loved.
And, of course, none of this would be possible without the families who trust us with someone they love. It is one of the greatest privileges of our lives to get to know our members, hear their stories, celebrate their victories, support them through challenges, and become part of their journey. We give so much to this work, but we receive just as much in return.
Ok, now I’m tearing up again.. I haven’t stopped being soppy for the last few weeks (or years.. or lifetime) but can you blame me?!
Before I wrap up and very easily find something else to make me happy-cry, I do have one favor to ask…
If Friendship Center has touched your life, helped someone you love, or simply represents the kind of community you want Santa Barbara to be, please consider supporting us this summer through our community fundraising efforts: the July 17th Summer Polo Soirée or our Summer Campaign.
The truth is that demand for our services continues to grow and I’m confidently expecting it to soar in the upcoming year. More families are finding us (woohoo!), more people are reaching out for help (yay!), and more than 90% of the individuals we serve rely on some level of financial assistance to attend our program.
We do not take the current and impending growth in need for our services lightly and we are not a ‘let’s wait and see what happens’ kind of place. We are committed to keeping membership scholarships available, our programs accessible, our team trained and supported, and our services responsive to whatever our community needs at any given moment.
If you're able, I hope you'll join us this summer.
Attend the Polo Soirée.
Sponsor the event.
Make a donation.
Invite a friend.
Every bit of support helps ensure that when a family calls Friendship Center in need, we're able to say, "Yes, we can help."
Thank you for reading this month and checking out all that we have going on. I really like you.
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Kathryn Westland
MPH, Executive Director
| | IN THIS EMAIL YOU WILL FIND... | |
- Key Dates
- Activity Schedules
- Highlights of May in Photos
- Friendship Center in the News
- Meet the Team: Shyra J
- Caregiver Resources
- In Memoriam
- Supporter Spotlights: Joe & Pat Wheatley
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- Wednesday, June 3rd: Downtown Santa Barbara Memory Cafe @ 9:00 AM
- Thursday, June 4th - Wednesday, July 1st: Nominate us for Best of Santa Barbara 2026 (NOMINATE HERE)
- Friday, June 5: Lunch & Learn with Gina Bell (RSVP HERE)
- Friday, June 12: Lunch & Learn with Gina Bell (RSVP HERE)
- Thursday, June 11th: Senior Prom @ 12:00 PM (RSVP HERE)
- Wednesday, June 17th: Coffee for Caregivers @ 9:00 AM
- Wednesday, June 17th: Downtown Santa Barbara Memory Cafe @ 9:00 AM
- Thursday, June 18th: FC closes at 3:00 PM for staff training (every 3rd Thurs of the month)
- Friday, June 19: Lunch & Learn with Gina Bell (RSVP HERE)
- Saturday, June 20 & Sunday, June 21: Visit Friendship Center's table at the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration
- Friday, June 26: Lunch & Learn with Gina Bell (RSVP HERE)
- Thursday, July 2nd: Fourth of July Party & 50th Anniversary Proclamation @ 12:45 PM
- Friday, July, 3rd: FC closed for 4th of July
- Friday, July, 17th: Summer Polo Soireé (PURCHASE TICKETS HERE)
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Upcoming Parties & Program Events
June 11 - Friendship Center's Senior Prom @ 12:00 PM
July 2 - 4th of July Party & 50th Anniversary Proclamation @ 12:45 PM
Musical Acts this Month
June 8 - Trudy & Rob @ 1 PM
June 11 - Sam Taylor @ 10:00 AM
June 22 - Songs for Seniors @ 10:00 AM
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Activity Highlights:
Friday, June 5: Poetry hub & outdoor Thai chi
Tuesday, June 9: Paper flower creations with Lisa
Friday, June 12: Comic strips & cooking
Tuesday, June 16: Story book making
Friday, June 19: Outdoor garden lunch
Tuesday, June 23: Science & technology display walkthrough
Friday, June 26: Art gallery walk & art class
| | Early Stage Social Engagement Groups | | |
Herencia Latina -
- 6/8: Visual Scanning
- 6/10: Dry Clay Art Part 1
- 6/15: Dry Clay Art Part 2
- 6/17: TBD
- 6/22: Aroma Stones
- 6/24: Loteria
| | Connections Social Group Topics: | | Connections topics this month will include artificial intelligence, the beauties of Yellowstone, birds, and so many more! | | Friendship Center in the News | | |
Meet the Team: Shyra, Community Relations Coordinator
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Friendship Center is thrilled to spotlight, Shyra, our Community Relations Coordinator, whose passion for building connections and strengthening communities has made an immediate impact on our organization. When not at work, Shyra enjoys exploring new cities, spending time at the beach, trying new restaurants, dancing, listening to music, and making memories with friends and family. (Fun fact: her favorite color is yellow!)
Shyra graduated from Lake Forest college, where she earned honors with a self-designed major in Community Development and minors in Legal Studies and Finance. Shyra holds great nonprofit experience in development, marketing, and event planning. Her work has always been driven by a commitment to expanding access to resources that help individuals and families thrive.
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Shyra first joined Friendship Center to help coordinate our 50th Anniversary initiatives, including two exciting additions to Anniversary Weekend Fall 2026: a Conference on Dementia and a Family Reunion celebration. Now serving as Community Relations Coordinator, Shyra also focuses on strengthening community partnerships, expanding awareness of dementia care resources, and increasing Friendship Center’s presence throughout Santa Barbara County. Shyra especially enjoys spending time with members, whether through meaningful conversations or joining in activities such as singing and dancing.
"I strive to make the world a better place every day, and I’m honored to join Friendship Center at this milestone moment as we step into the light as a truly special, positive role model in the world. I build and strengthen relationships across our community to reach more county residents and expand awareness and education of dementia care and the resources we provide. I’m thrilled and honored to lead the coordination of these meaningful new events with Friendship Center volunteers and families as we launch our anniversary celebrations this fall."
| | CAREGIVER & FAMILY RESOURCES | | Did you know that we can provide one-on-one training with you to help best support your loved one in the bathroom? For Friendship Center enrolled members & families, only. To enquire or sign up for continence care training, please call or email Program Manager Nerely Delgado at 805-969-0859 x14 programmanager@friendshipcentersb.org | | |
We've opened availability for FC support groups! All support groups currently have openings for to those supporting a loved one living with dementia. To register, please contact kim@friendshipcentersb.org.
Support Groups held at Friendship Center:
- Every Monday, 2:45 pm - 4:00 pm with Gina Bell (All caregivers)
- 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm with Joe Wheatley (Caregivers of Friendship Center members)
- 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 9:30 am - 11:00 am with Jeffrey Krutzsch (All caregivers)
- Every Friday, 10:30am - 11:30 am with Gina Bell (All caregivers)
Virtual Caregiver Support Group held via Zoom
- Every Friday, 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm with Gina Bell (All caregivers)
June Caring for Yourself While Caring for Others Lunch & Learn Series:
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UBER 101 Webinar
Thursday, June 11, 2026
10:00 AM
CLICK TO REGISTER
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AARP Home Fit Guide: This guide features smart ways to make a home comfortable, safe, and a great fit for older adults - and people of all ages.
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Know Before You Go, Tips for Visiting a Person Living with Dementia with Teepa Snow:
If you are currently the care partner, family or professional, for a person that is living with dementia, there are things you know to avoid saying or doing. In this video from 2023, Teepa and Greg discuss helpful insights and tips that visiting friends and family can follow to increase the chances of a positive, engaging visit.
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How to Balance Love and Money Decisions: This article from Stanford Center for Longevity focuses on how when we grow older, it's important to honor the financial and emotional dimensions of our choices.
| | REMEMBERING OUR FOREVER FRIENDS | |
SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: Joe & Pat Wheatley
A Life Rooted in Giving and Service
By Heidi Holly, Legacy Liaison
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For Joe and Pat Wheatley, community service has never simply been something they do — it is woven into the fabric of who they are. Their shared commitment to caring for others, strengthening organizations, and investing in the future has made them a beloved and impactful couple throughout the Santa Barbara community and within Friendship Center.
Joe first became connected to Friendship Center during his career as a geriatric care manager. Over the years, many of the individuals and families he worked with attended Friendship Center’s programs, and he quickly became a strong admirer of both the professionalism of the
staff and the compassionate care provided to members and caregivers alike. He also saw firsthand how many local families benefited from the Center’s support during some of life’s most challenging seasons.
Even after retirement, Joe’s connection to Friendship Center only deepened. He began leading support groups for caregivers and individuals living with dementia, continuing his lifelong dedication to helping others navigate aging with dignity, compassion, and hope. And that’s not all…Joe is also on the CAPS board, a non-profit providing services for individuals with special needs. For more than 20 years Joe has also served on Cottage Hospital Bioethics committee.
Today, Joe is marking nine years of service on the Friendship Center Board of Directors — and recently committed to serving three more. Throughout his tenure, he has held several leadership roles, including Board President and current Vice Chair, while also serving on both the Finance Committee and the Buildings and Grounds Committee. His thoughtful leadership and steady presence have helped guide Friendship Center through meaningful growth and change.
Pat’s dedication to community service is equally inspiring. Pat retired as the executive director of First 5 Santa Barbara County in 2013, after serving in the position for 14 years. She currently serves as a commissioner for the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara and is a board member of Transition House. In addition, Pat helped create and continues to lead Grace Housing, Inc., a nonprofit established following the closure of Grace Lutheran Church. Through rental income generated by businesses located on the property, Grace Housing distributes funds throughout the community to organizations providing essential support and services to underserved individuals and families. They have donated over one million dollars over the last 15 years!
Beyond their remarkable volunteer leadership, Joe and Pat enjoy life’s simple pleasures together— traveling internationally, and spending treasured time with their daughter and her family. They also find great joy in life’s quieter moments together—especially working side by side in their garden. They appreciate the patience, care, and nurturing that gardening requires much like the values they have carried throughout their lives of service to others.
Their deep belief in Friendship Center’s mission has also inspired them to include the organization in their estate plans. Reflecting on that decision, Joe and Pat shared: “We both have seen and been part of the Friendship Center family for years. The incredible strength and history of the Center and the unique services they provide for the community are so very worth supporting in any way we can. It was an easy decision when we thought about the future and how we could continue making a difference beyond our lifetime.”
Joe and Pat Wheatley’s story is one of generosity, leadership, and enduring compassion — a legacy rooted in service and growing hope for generations to come. Thank you Joe and Pat!
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Sincere Gratitude to our Friendship Legacy Society Members:
Rick & Heidi Holly; Craig Markson; Mary H.Walsh;
Pat Cramer; James & Jeannette Hudgens; Marty & Dixie Moore; Kathryn Westland;
Michael Dean; Steven Gilbar; Suzanne Retzinger; Joe & Pat Wheatley;
Paul Didier; Karolyn Hanna; Gerrie Shapiro;
Joel & Vasanti Fithian; Kenneth & Francie Jewesson; Pauline Short;
Dennis Forster; Rod Lathim; Cynder Sinclair;
Inge Gatz; Arthur Lindo; Lynda Stuart
Friendship Legacy Society recognizes donors who name the Center in their wills or trusts and those who make planned gifts to the Center. Your support makes it possible for us to provide services for those most in need regardless of their ability to pay. Please let us know if have already named Friendship Center in your estate plans so that we may show our sincere appreciation! By doing so, you help to inspire others to support our work as well.
You can contact Heidi Holly, Legacy liaison, at legacy@friendshipcentersb.org
Tax Identification Number: 95-3398938
| | Friendship Center Leadership & Partnerships | | | |  | |
Officers
President
CYNDER SINCLAIR
Vice President
JOE WHEATLEY
Secretary
ZANDRA CHOLMONDELEY
Treasurer
JEFFREY KRUTZSCH
Member-at-large
JACQUELINE DURAN
Directors
SUE ADAMS
VIVIAN ARMANIOUS
NATHAN BERO
PAT FORGEY
GRETCHEN HEWLETT
KATHY MARDEN, MFT
GERRIE SHAPIRO
MONICA VIDGER-TRENT
Executive Director
KATHRYN WESTLAND, MPH
| | | | Follow our social media pages, linked below, for regular posts about the day-to-day happenings at FC! | |
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