Giving Tuesday is a global day of generosity, but here in Santa Barbara County, it’s a chance to make a personal, local difference. At Noozhawk, we believe in the power of community and the impact that even small acts of kindness can have when directed close to home.
Our Good for Santa Barbara County Nonprofit Section is designed to connect you with local organizations doing vital work. Whether it’s a donation, a few hours of your time, or simply helping spread the word, your contribution matters.
Explore our Giving Guide today and help brighten the season for those who need it most!
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Justine Casady, Marketing & Events Coordinator at Friendship Center Adult Day Services, to learn more about the nonprofit’s vision of a quality life for adults living with dementia while providing much-needed respite for their families.
Friendship Center Adult Day Services
Question: What is the name of your nonprofit, and what is its mission?
Answer: Friendship Center Adult Day Services’ mission is to enhance the quality of life for adults living with dementia while providing much-needed respite for their families.
Q: How long has your organization been serving the community, and who founded it?
A: Founded in 1976, by a group of compassionate individuals, Friendship Center has been serving the greater Santa Barbara Community for nearly five decades, celebrating its 50th anniversary this upcoming year!
Q: What motivated the creation of your nonprofit?
A: Friendship Center was established in response to the need for care of seniors living with dementia in the community. We have evolved into a beloved community resource, offering a safe, supportive, and engaging environment.
Q: How is your nonprofit primarily funded, and what are its biggest needs right now?
A: Most seniors attending Friendship Center only pay a fraction of the actual cost it takes to attend. This is because we turn no family away due to finances. In order to close this funding gap, Friendship center is primarily funded by various grants and individual donors who care for the cause.
In order to continue supporting our senior members and their families, donations are needed to provide more in-depth, professional support for family caregivers as they navigate their loved one’s dementia journey. Consider making a one time or recurring donation by clicking here or learning more about our legacy gifting program by visiting our website.
Q: What types of events or programs do you run to engage your community and raise funds?
A: From special classes and events for caregivers to volunteer opportunities onsite and out in the community, Friendship Center has a calendar full of opportunities to engage member’s families as well as those in the local community.
In order to raise funds Friendship Center also holds annual fundraisers, inviting all community members to participate and support seniors living with dementia in the area.
For our complete events calendar, visit our calendar.
Q: How can people get involved with your nonprofit or volunteer?
A: Friendship Center is always looking for volunteers to share their time and talents with our seniors. Whether you’re a student, retiree, or passionate about connection, you’ll gain meaningful experiences while enriching the lives of others. To inquire about general volunteer opportunities contact programmanager@fcsb.org or to become a special presenter in Friendship Center’s Connections class or Memory Café sign up on our website.
Q: What sets your nonprofit apart from similar organizations?
A: Voted Best of Senior Care Services for 2025, Friendship Center is set apart from similar organizations due to its sole focus on providing a social model of daytime care for seniors living with dementia. Our goal is to provide engaging person-centered activities in a safe, loving, and compassionate environment.
Not only do we provide programming for those with dementia, we also have ample resources for their families in order to navigate their loved ones’ dementia journey. We welcome all families with open arms, standing true to the statement that no family will be turned away due to inability to pay.
Q: Could you share a story or two about individuals whose lives have been positively impacted by your organization?
A: Friendship Center is truly the sweetest place on earth, in our humble opinion. As an ADULT day care-center (key word here being ‘adult’), the banter and humor are unmatched; it’s impossible for anyone working, volunteering or visiting us to be in a bad mood here.
One of the most remarkable things we see, again and again, is the purest examples of human chemistry that forms between people who seemingly have nothing in common. One of the first times we saw this was a few years ago when we had a Vietnam veteran living with severe PTSD and dementia attending our program. He would sometimes experience sudden moments of panic accompanied by hallucinations related to his PTSD. Without a word or any sort of indication, another member, a much older woman who was non-verbal and from a background as different from his as possible, would appear and simply sit by his side.
Her presence alone calmed him instantly. They became inseparable, sharing meals and activities in silence, yet bringing one another profound peace in a way that is almost impossible to describe. We see connections like this every day: bonds across language, socio-economic background, age, condition and ability that have no walls between one another and remind us what it means to be human. And of course, there are the lighter moments like someone stuffing lettuce in their sock for a ‘snack for later.’ That balance of sacred and silly is what makes Friendship Center so special.
Q: How do you share your nonprofit’s impact and updates with the public?
A: A great way to stay up-to-date with Friendship Center news, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and helpful tips for caregivers is by joining our mailing list to receive our monthly newsletter. To join, visit fcsb.org and scroll to the bottom where you will find instructions on how to receive updates about our center.
Q: Is there anything important or unique about your nonprofit that we haven’t covered yet?
A: Friendship Center has recently partnered with Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation to open Memory Café – a FREE space for persons living with early stage memory loss and their care partner(s)/family to engage with peers in a relaxed environment. Each session promotes social engagement and support through interaction with others experiencing similar lifestyle changes.
This new Memory Café is open every first and third Wednesday of the month, from 9:00am-11:00am at The Louise Lowry Davis Center. To learn more about Memory Café visit our website.
Click here to support Friendship Center Adult Day Services’ mission to enhance the quality of life for adults living with dementia while providing much-needed respite for their families.
Check out Noozhawk’s Guide to Giving for a full list of nonprofits to donate to this giving season.
If you would like to include your nonprofit in our Good for Santa Barbara section and Giving Guide click HERE.