Hospice of Santa Barbara

01/01/2026

Want to get up-to-date information on our upcoming Advance Care Planning workshops and programs for 2026 ? Sign up for our quarterly ACP newsletter today and join our mailing list just in time for when it drops next week! Visit our website today at https://www.getitdonesb.org/sign-up-for-our-e-newsletter and “get your Advance Directive done” this year!

12/31/2025

Imagine facing overwhelming grief while sleeping on a living room floor. That's the painful reality for "Victoria" —a mother alone with four children, struggling after the loss of her baby and her husband , and now living in fear. Victoria really needs guidance and a listening ear. Santa Barbara neighbors like you can make it possible to be here for her, her children, and every family who comes to us at the darkest time of their lives. Your support will give Victoria a lifeline. Your gift helps pay for counseling sessions for Victoria and her children, and support groups for parents facing impossible choices. You’ll help make sure neighbors in their time of grief don't have to face it alone.

P.S. Your gift is tax-deductible! Make your kindness go twice as far with matching funds by December 31st.

Donate now: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E9727&id=101

12/28/2025

Matching Funds will DOUBLE your impact for grieving neighbors! Right now, people are waiting weeks or even months for vital grief counseling. Worse yet, we just lost $100,000 in grant support we were counting on. This means longer waits for those who desperately need help. Your year-end gift to Hospice of Santa Barbara will be DOUBLED—up to $94,000! Your doubled giving can make up the loss and help us meet this growing need, ensuring we never have to say “no” to a family like Victoria’s. Please don't wait: Give by December 31st to help twice as many families find comfort, dignity, and hope.

Donate now:
https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E9727&id=101

12/26/2025

Congratulations Michael Cruse, LCSW, Bereavement Services Manager, for 15 years with Hospice of Santa Barbara!

Michael oversees all clinicians and programs related to bereavement counseling for adults and children, and has been a leading force in HSB’s expansion of services in local secondary schools and through community partnerships. He has nearly 40 years experience in the Santa Barbara community as a medical social worker, psychotherapist, and clinical supervisor. He has been licensed with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as a clinical social worker since 1986, and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. He is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) basic training and has advanced training in somatic EMDR. Michael attended California State University at Fresno and graduated with an M.S.W. in 1982. He has lived and worked in the Santa Barbara area for his entire career. In Michael’s spare time he likes to do home improvement projects and recreational sports.

Thank you, Micahel!

12/23/2025

Sending warm wishes for comfort, peace, and hope this holiday season from Hospice of Santa Barbara.

12/22/2025

Congratulations Chris Davis for 25 years with Hospice of Santa Barbara!

Chris runs WaveComm SB, assisting with programs, events, PR, marketing, and more!

12/20/2025

How do you cope with change? Let us know in the comments ❤️‍🩹

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor E. Frankl. Man’s Search for Meaning

12/20/2025

New York Times writer Marissa Miller reminds us that “It’s OK to be sad during the holidays.” Read here about ways to address grief and sadness during this time of year, and ways to find joy without trying to fake it.

Sometimes the holiday spirit just passes us by, and that’s perfectly normal.

12/19/2025

Choosing just the right gift for a loved one this holiday season can be a difficult decision, but there is one gift you can give that is priceless. Advance Care Planning enables individuals to clearly map out a plan for their healthcare in the event they are unable to speak for themselves. Get It Done SB can help you get your Advance Directive legalized for free, making the gift of this document truly priceless. To learn more, visit http://www.getitdonesb.org.

12/18/2025

Congratulations to Kelsey Resetco, ACSW, Bereavement Counselor for 2 years with Hospice of Santa Barbara!

Kelsey is passionate about helping clients navigate grief with self-compassion. She believes in the strength of the human spirit and supports clients using active listening, mindfulness, and compassion. Kelsey creates space to allow individuals to navigate their grief journey with care and understanding. Kelsey is a Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker, with an MSW from Boise State University. Kelsey has diverse clinical experience, including work with terminally ill adults, at-risk youth, and low-income families. Kelsey’s work at the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center providing counseling to individuals and families impacted by life-threatening and chronic illness, grief, and loss ignited her passion of wanting to provide support during this vulnerable time. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with family and friends, read fantasy novels, play board games, and explore nature.

Thank you, Kelsey!

12/16/2025

What is hope for you? 💚

“Hope is not pretending that troubles don’t exist. It is the trust that they will not last forever.” – Henri Nouwen, Turn my Mourning into Dancing (2001)

12/13/2025

Congratulations to Sam Schafer, Director of Finance, for 3 years with Hospice of Santa Barbara!

Sam began his work at HSB in September 2022. He arrived in Santa Barbara from Colorado during the summer of 2020 as a veteran of the cannabis industry where he directed operations, financials, and data analysis for a portfolio of business entities across the United States. Sam holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Florida State University and a Master’s degree in Thermodynamics from the University of Colorado. In his free time, Sam would always rather be skiing down a big mountain.

Thank you, Sam!