Every year, Friendship Center raises money for HEART (Helping Elders At Risk Today) to benefit low to moderate income members attending the Center. This year’s theme was Kentucky Derby! This pre-Valentine’s Day event featured a delectable sit-down lunch, live music by Strada Swing, and the display of works by local “heart-ists.” The live auction featured amazing packages such as an in-town…
Friendship Center is hosting its 24th Annual Festival of Hearts, 12-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 at Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort. The pre-Valentine’s Day event features a sit-down lunch including wine, a no host bar, and live music by Strada Swing, a jazz swing band with a French twist. Participants are urged to dress in their favorite Derby attire —…
Friendship Center was proud to honor the veterans we serve with another wonderful celebration on Thursday, November 10th, from 12-1:30pm. Fabulous weather, delicious food and drink, a great emcee, and live singing all added to the joyful occasion. “At Friendship Center we celebrate and honor our Veterans who sacrificed so much for us and our Country.” said Heidi Holly,…
by Jean Hall, Administrative Lead Paloma Espino and Steven Sharpe have been elected to the Board of Directors for Friendship Center, and Cynder Sinclair has been elected board president for the 2022-23 term. Paloma Espino is the current administrator for Sarah House, a local nonprofit that provides end-of-life care for community members. She said there are many lessons to be…
Rebecca Birotte M.A., Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and CLC, shared her insights with program staff in December, providing a refresher on the how’s and why’s of effective memory care activities for Friendship Center members. “Activities are medicine,” she said. “That’s my business motto.” Rebecca owns and operates Los Angeles-based Healthy Solutions, a consultancy providing activity and recreation therapy training for a…
Please welcome Friendship Center’s new Associate Director Amy West, M.A. Amy West brings to Friendship Center a 25-year track record of public sector management, most recently as Program Administrator of an Adult Residential Facility at Devereux California, where she was recognized for her skills in problem-solving and collaboration. Amy earned a B.A. in public sector management and an M.A. in…
Connections Senior Social Program, Friendship Center’s brain-training program, mid-December at All Saints-by-the-Sea Church. As the name suggests, Connections is about connecting, both socially and cognitively. Each three-hour session features socially engaging activities, music, group discussions and light exercise. Connections is geared specifically toward members in the early stages of a dementia diagnosis, with the two-fold goal of challenging the mind…
Prospective members and their families can now take a virtual tour of Friendship Center. Join Heidi Holly, executive director and Kim Larsen, family services manager as they walk through each of our Montecito facility’s recreational areas, while also providing an overview of our Covid-19 safety protocols. Click here to watch the video on YouTube. The video also features images of…
Friendship Center’s hybrid day program will consist of a morning (9-12:30 p.m.) and an afternoon (1:30-5 p.m.) session, Monday through Thursday. Your loved one will be assigned to one of these sessions in which they will be able to exercise (Yoga? Tai Chi? Cycling without Age anyone?), listen to music (The Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys – oh…
Friendship Center is pleased to welcome David Selberg and Maggie Mixsell to its Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. “We are delighted that David and Maggie have joined our board of directors,” says Friendship Center Executive Director Heidi Holly. “Each joins Friendship Center at an exciting time as we continue to pivot and enhance our programs for seniors…