Hospice of Santa Barbara

05/04/2026

A little recipient of a bear made after a recent loss. Each bear is carefully crafted from a loved one’s clothing, transforming a cherished item into a keepsake to hug forever.

These Beloved Bears bring a sense of peace and comfort when it’s needed most. They’re a tangible connection to someone deeply loved, providing support in moments of grief. The Beloved Bear Program has handed out hundreds of bears since 2010.

If you would like to support this program and others at Hospice of Santa Barbara, please consider donating here:

I just made a donation to HSB

05/02/2026

We are proud to announce our ACP Champion of the Month is Valle Verde!

Valle Verde and their Social Services Coordinator, Jeanine English, hosted a lively and successful workshop for their residents with 39 documents completed free of charge and submitted to Cottage Hospital. Our most successful workshop this year! Valle Verde, thank you for all the work you have done to give the your senior community the gift of Advance Care Planning!

Are you a community-based organization, healthcare provider, or senior living facility?

We partner with South Santa Barbara-based organizations to bring Advance Care Planning to the community through free workshops and educational presentations. Become an ACP Champion today by contacting us at https://www.getitdonesb.org/contact or email CommunityACP@hospiceofsb.org.

To learn more about our free Advance Care Planning services, you can visit the links below:
Get It Done SB! (English) - https://www.getitdonesb.org/
Mi Regalo (Spanish) - https://www.miregalo.org/

05/01/2026

Congratulations Michele Osborne, Intake Coordinator, for 16 years with Hospice of Santa Barbara!

As an intake coordinator, Michele is the first point of contact for people seeking bereavement counseling or support through their illness. She was drawn to the meaningful work at Hospice of Santa Barbara due to the warm and inviting atmosphere that makes everyone feel comfortable and welcome. Prior to coming to HSB in 2010, Michele was a youth development specialist at Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii. She holds a B.A. from Humboldt State University. In her spare time she enjoys traveling and being outdoors.

Thank you, Michele!

04/30/2026

You don’t have to navigate Advance Care Planning alone. With the right information and reliable assistance, completing an Advance Directive can feel manageable and empowering. If you’d like helpful resources, conversation tips, and updates about planning ahead, we invite you to sign up for our ACP newsletter. Staying informed today helps you and your family feel more prepared tomorrow. Learn more and subscribe at https://www.getitdonesb.org/sign-up-for-our-e-newsletter.

04/29/2026

Congratulations to Marybeth Carty, Santa Barbara Foundation’s 2026 Person of the Year!

Marybeth Carty, a previous recipient of the HSB Ambassador Heroes Award, has been a critical partner to us, particularly with Compassionate Care of Carpinteria (CCC). She currently serves as the Steering Committee Chair for CCC. Her talents, insights, experience, and dedication to community have been invaluable to us for many years. Cheers to you, from your HSB Family!

04/29/2026

Do you resonate with this quote? 🤗Let us know in the comments below ⬇️

“Our job is not to deny the story but to defy the ending — to rise strong, recognize our story, and rumble with the truth.”
— Brené Brown, Rising Strong (2015)

04/27/2026

Congratulations, Heather Stevenson, Development & Grants Manager, for 7 years with Hospice of Santa Barbara!

Heather has been with Hospice of Santa Barbara since early 2019, and is responsible for grants management and planned giving outreach. She feels privileged to be part of an organization with a huge heart and a mission to make the world a more compassionate place. Since 1998, Heather has been working as a development officer and grant writer, supporting a variety of local non-profit organizations such as Transition House, Pacific Pride Foundation, Community Environmental Council, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, Lobero Theatre Foundation, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara. She is a founding partner of The Write Team, which provides grant writing and organizational consulting services to non-profits, and is training the next generation of excellent grant writers. As a social change advocate, she has served on the boards of Pacific Pride Foundation and the Fund for Santa Barbara.

Thank you, Heather!

04/25/2026

This Spring, Give a Bouquet That Will Last a Lifetime: Your Advance Directive!

Read our most recent article in Noozhawk about everything you need to complete your Advance Directive!

Learn how Advance Directives empower you to make informed decisions about your future healthcare and ease the burden on your loved ones

04/24/2026

Has there been a time in your life that the load felt heavy? Share with us in the comments.

“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.”
— Lena Horne, Singer and Civil Rights Activist, interview (1980s)

04/22/2026

Today, we want to celebrate something beautiful. Over 150 people this year have completed a MyCare Advance Directive with Get It Done SB. They sat down, thought carefully about what matters most to them, and put it into words. And then they did something even more remarkable — they handed it to someone they love.

That is what an Advance Directive really is. Not just a legal document, but a “bouquet.” A gift to show how much you care about your loved ones.

If you've completed yours — we are so proud of you. 🌺If you haven't yet — there is still time, and we are here to help. Visit www.getitdonesb.org to complete your Advance Directive today. Give your family their own special “bouquet” that will last a lifetime. 💐

04/22/2026

Congratulations, Kolmia Majumdar, LMFT, Bereavement Counselor, for 6 years with Hospice of Santa Barbara!

Kolmi provides counseling for adults and children grieving the loss of a loved one and families impacted by serious illness. She brings compassionate presence and emotional support to her clients of all ages. Kolmi is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with a master's degree in counseling psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Her therapeutic approach is person centered, relational, and trauma-informed. Kolmi utilizes a range of therapeutic skills to support clients, including dialogue, mindfulness, somatic awareness, creative arts, and EMDR; with children, she incorporates play therapy. Kolmi has served the Santa Barbara community for over twenty-five years in counseling, community building, education, and ecological restoration. Her own experiences have shown her that grief is as human an experience as love.

Thank you, Kolmi!

04/21/2026

🌺 Flower of the Week: The Pink Peony

If there is one flower that feels like a gift, it is the pink peony. The peony is a symbol of love, good fortune, and the joy of giving something truly meaningful to someone who matters. We saved it for last because when it's all said and done, your Advance Directive, or bouquet, is meant to be shared! Gift this piece of your heart with your medical team and loved ones.

As we look back on the past five weeks, we celebrate everyone who has reflected, asked questions, begun conversations, and taken real concrete steps to put your wishes and desires into writing. You are giving your family the most beautiful, long-lasting bouquet of all. 🌺

If you haven't started yet, visit www.getitdonesb.org.