Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB)’s Beloved Bear Program offers a soft comforting remembrance during a time of grief by making a stuffed bear or pillow out of a passed loved one’s favorite article of clothing. Each item is handcrafted by HSB volunteers and provides families with a tangible keepsake infused with memories, texture, and even [...more...]
Eight years ago, when the Victoria Hall Theater underwent a $12.6 million renovation that transformed the historic venue into The New Vic, the project was a marvel of volunteer collaboration. Nearly every person involved in [...more...]
Giving List Matching Challenges
Youth Development
On Ellwood Mesa, a second grader watched dolphins crest the waves and whispered, “Pinch me so I know I’m not […more…]
The United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County’s mission is to enable all young people – especially those […more…]
Homelessness
Housing Works has always been on the front lines of Los Angeles’ homelessness crisis, doing whatever it takes for as […more…]
What does street medicine look like in real life? It looks like compassionate care delivered directly to our unsheltered neighbors […more…]
Villa Majella is SB County’s only maternity home, providing safe shelter, 24/7 support, transportation, warm meals, and access to vital services. […more…]
Health & Wellness
Cottage Health is entering a new era of innovation while staying true to its mission of providing exceptional, compassionate care. […more…]
Despite Santa Barbara’s seemingly vibrant, prosperous community, some of its youngest residents face invisible barriers to health and wellness that […more…]
A dam was just 23 when he suffered a stroke that nearly took his life. He spent two weeks in […more…]
For the Environment
From natural disasters to a dismantling of the EPA to violence against citizens in Minneapolis and across the US, there […more…]
February 20 event at the SYV Grange features films exploring courage, creativity, and connection to nature The NatureTrack Film Festival […more…]
Heal the Ocean began back in August 1998 shortly after Hillary Hauser published an editorial in the Santa Barbara News-Press […more…]
For the Children
Storyteller has the humble “once upon a time” origins that befits its fairytale-like journey for the families and children it […more…]
In a classroom at Santa Barbara High School, a student named Arturo sat slumped in his chair, disengaged from another […more…]
On a recent afternoon at the Santa Barbara Zoo, a third-grader sat motionless before her untouched burger, politely declining offers […more…]
For the Arts
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art has a long-standing tradition of uniting people of all ages through a diverse range […more…]
Miller McCune Executive Director of UCSB Arts & Lectures Meghan Bush recently replaced Celesta Billeci, who had spent 25 years […more…]
A cool breeze blows as a group of students walk through the Carpinteria salt marsh and down to the beach. […more…]
For the Animals
Join Return to Freedom for the Opening Day of their 2026 program season, and a celebration of Spirit’s 31st birthday on May 9 at their Lompoc headquarters sanctuary! The […more…]
The Search Dog Foundation believes that they can help every dog that enters theiur program be successful in whatever type […more…]
Emergency Services
Direct Relief has debuted a new public service announcement featuring Emmy Award-winning actress, comedian, and long-time supporter Jane Lynch. In […more…]
In the rolling hills outside Santa Paula, California, a stirring ceremony is afoot. Four young first responders from Oklahoma Task […more…]
Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue (SBCSAR) was ready when an experienced paraglider had an issue with equipment and was […more…]
Education
The Central City East neighborhood of Downtown Los Angeles goes by another moniker – one familiar to the public and […more…]
The first five years of a child’s life lay the foundation for how they’ll do in school and beyond – […more…]
Olive Crest’s Hope Refuge Campus in Santa Barbara County provides a safe place for young survivors of sex trafficking to […more…]
Community Resilience
Direct Relief navigates the war zones in Ukraine to deliver cystic fibrosis medications, transports Mpox vaccines to clinics in the […more…]
In an era where technology dominates our daily lives, you might wonder if public libraries still matter. According to Lauren […more…]
Lots of local Santa Barbara residents, long-timers and newbies alike, have strong opinions about whether the nine-block stretch of State […more…]
Advocacy
In the early 1940s, Hollywood director George Cukor brought his ailing nephew over from England, along with a nurse. His […more…]
In a small corner office of the Shoreline Community Church, immigrants can find a much welcome pathway to the American […more…]
When disasters strike the Central Coast, not everyone has equal access to help. For those in the 805 community who […more…]