As local nonprofits adapt to find new ways to serve their clients and causes, Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) is also adjusting to the new realities that come with COVID-19.

In an effort to provide helpful resources to the community as they relate to the pandemic, HSB is offering a new free speaker series called ILLUMINATE.

Opening the virtual series will be Roshi Joan Halifax, 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22. Halifax’s presentation will explore the deep necessity of integrity as the foundation for moral resilience, a topic critical for current uncertain times.

Halifax will look at some of the challenges to integrity as we care for others, care for the world, and care for ourselves. She will examine key aspects of moral suffering and how to cultivate moral resilience, which supports people in facing uncertainty, suffering and loss.

Halifax is founder, abbot and head teacher of Upaya Zen Center, a Buddhist monastery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is director of the Project on Being with Dying, and founder of the Upaya Prison Project that develops programs on meditation for prisoners.

“During this time, it is important for all of us to know we are not alone and experiencing these challenges together,” said David Selberg, CEO of Hospice of Santa Barbara. “Our speaker series will cover topics that are most relevant to what we are all going through.”

HSB established the ILLUMINATE speakers series to address the struggles people face that have been heightened during the pandemic. The worldwide crisis has people reeling emotionally, socially and economically. They are experiencing fear, anxiety, grief, uncertainty over the present and the future, vulnerability, despair and anger.

“We are very excited to kick off our series with Roshi Joan Halifax as she addresses the topic of moral resilience during this unprecedented time,” Selberg said.

The series continues with Frank Ostaseski in November, Katy Butler in January, Sharon Salzberg in February, Dr. BJ Miller in March and Dr. Sunita Puri in April. To learn more and register for the event, visit: http://www.hospiceofsb.org/hsbseries.

Fore more about Hospice of Santa Barbara including volunteer opportunities, call 805-563-8820 or visit www.hospiceofsantabarbara.org.