Giving Tuesday invites us to pause and recognize the impact we can make right here at home. In Santa Barbara County, it’s an opportunity to lift up the nonprofits that quietly and consistently support the well-being of our neighbors.
At Noozhawk, we’re proud to spotlight these organizations through our Good for Santa Barbara County Nonprofit Section—connecting readers with meaningful ways to get involved, from lending time to offering financial support.
Browse our Giving Guide to discover local groups creating positive change across the region.
In this feature, Noozhawk spoke with Hilda Zacarias, Executive Director at Community Partners in Caring to learn how their dedicated volunteers help seniors and adults with disabilities maintain independence, access essential services, and experience a stronger sense of community.
Community Partners in Caring
Question: What is the name of your nonprofit, and what is its mission?
Answer: Community Partners in Caring – Our mission is to provide volunteer support services that allow seniors, people with mild disabilities, and individuals with chronic illnesses to live independently while maintaining dignity, respect, and quality of life.
Q: How long has your organization been serving the community, and who founded it?
A: Community Partners in Caring was established in 1997 in Santa Maria, CA by a group of community volunteers and led by Margie Halsell, who noticed that many of the communities seniors could not find a ride to the doctor or to get groceries. We began serving South Santa Barbara County in 2019 and now over 1,000 individuals are registered for services throughout Santa Barbara County.
We build on the model of “Volunteer Caregiving” which is designed to support individuals to age-in-place safely with the assistance of caring neighbors and a caring team. CPC Volunteers provide transportation services as a means to reduce the incidence of malnutrition, isolation, and poor general health among seniors, people with mild disabilities, and individuals living with chronic illness.
This includes the ability to access medical care, preventive care, food, socialization activities, counseling, and other health/wellness services that enhance quality of life. Our volunteers also provide friendly visits and reassurance calls, changing a life with a small kindness, every day.
Q: What motivated the creation of your nonprofit?
A: “Aging in place” is a hope shared by many as more of us are living longer. Yet, few of us prepared for the barriers experienced as we age – losing our ability to drive, food insecurity, families moving away, perplexing health issues, cognitive decline, and loneliness are all realities of growing older, and even fewer individuals have the financial resources to meet this challenge.
Every day until 2030, 10,000 Baby Boomers will turn 65. Locally, 1 in 3 people over the age of 60 in Santa Barbara County lives with a disability (US Census). 22% of the current Santa Barbara County population is age 60 or older and 7 out of 10 people will require long term care in their lifetime. Aging in place is key to avoiding or postponing, whenever possible, this often-unattainable/unaffordable level of care.
Transportation is key to retaining the ability to live independently. Without reliable transportation, seniors face a cascading set of negative consequences that erode their well-being.
Beyond physical health, a lack of mobility can lead to increased social isolation, as the inability to leave home for social events, errands, food, and recreational activities contributes to loneliness and depression, compromising a senior’s vital community connections.
Community Partners in Caring Volunteers work every day to support this process. We like to say “Transportation is the “vehicle” for supporting our neighbors as they experience their day to day life, with dignity.”
Q: How is your nonprofit primarily funded, and what are its biggest needs right now?
A: We are funded as an alternative transportation program (about 60%) with the rest of the funds being granted by generous foundation and individual donors. Our biggest need is to fund our mileage reimbursement – especially for folks who have to travel longer distances for specialized care. But an even BIGGER need is VOLUNTEERS! Without them, we can accomplish very little.
Last year, our volunteers provided 9,373 services and donated 8,064 hours – all at no cost to our those we serve. We pay for the coordination, mileage, and wrap-around services (resources and referrals) though our generous donors.
Q: How can people get involved with your nonprofit or volunteer?
A: Volunteering with CPIC is one of the most convenient and rewarding ways to support neighbors in your own community! Helping those who can no longer drive has the greatest personal rewards when you realize the huge impact you are making on an individual’s ability to remain independent.
Volunteers create a personal login in our scheduling system, where you can view service requests in your area that have been arranged by our Care Coordinators. You’ll be able to sign up for opportunities like providing transportation, running errands, visiting or telephone comfort calls – whichever fits your schedule.
To begin, just complete our volunteer application online at https://partnersincaring.org/volunteer. If you’d prefer a paper copy, we’re happy to mail one to you along with a self-addressed stamped envelope by calling 805.925.8000.
CPIC covers the cost of Live Scan fingerprinting and background checks for each applicant. Our Care Center staff will then provide a brief training—less than an hour—either in person or via Zoom. This session helps you get comfortable with our scheduling software and sets up your volunteer account.
Once you’re trained, you’re ready to go! Each time you volunteer, our friendly Care Center staff will provide all the details you need, including client information, location, and timing. Volunteers are eligible for mileage reimbursement monthly for each mile you drive a client—helping them regain their independence while giving back to your community.
Q: What sets your nonprofit apart from similar organizations?
A: CPIC is unique in several ways. For clients, there is no income threshold they must meet nor is there ever a fee for service. Our volunteers provide door-to-door transportation and can accommodate a walker or lightweight and a caregiver, if needed. For volunteers, they have the freedom to schedule themselves for the services and times that work for them. They do not need to provide a minimum number of services and can take time off when needed. Retirees can visit family over the holidays and students can go home for the summer, for example.
Another unique benefit is that those who drive can be reimbursed for their mileage and volunteers receive ongoing training on issues related to aging. They are also never alone in their service, CPC staff assists volunteers in their activities or if issues arise with the individuals we serve. We work with over 40 community nonprofit partners in ensuring that services are accessible to our most vulnerable community members.
Q: Can you share a fun fact or little-known detail about your nonprofit that would surprise people?
A: Last program year, Community Partners in Caring volunteers drove the equivalent of 36 TIMES across the United States of America in service to our community! That’s over 100,000 miles! Each mile filled with love and care for another. We know there are many people in our community who can offer the same helping hand and we invite to become one of our star volunteers!
Q: Could you share a story or two about individuals whose lives have been positively impacted by your organization?
A: Client Story: Nita Wilson – Independence with Dignity
At 89 years old, Nita Wilson exemplifies resilience and grace. A retired nurse who spent her career caring for others in San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Oxnard, Nita worked in operating rooms, surgical units, and regional health settings. Even in retirement, she has continued her lifelong commitment to helping others — now by sharing her own story to inspire independence and hope.
After suffering a stroke that damaged half of her right brain and left her blind in one eye, Nita now uses a cane but remains determined to live independently. She joined Community Partners in Caring (CPC) in March 2022, receiving transportation to her medical appointments so she can remain at home and care for herself safely.
With her three children living far apart — one near the Oregon border, another in Oxnard caring for his ill wife, and a son who visits Sundays to help with groceries — Nita relies on CPC to stay connected and independent.
Client/Community Story – Blind Fitness, dedicated to empowering blind and low vision individuals through adaptive fitness, outdoor recreation, and community advocacy activities, reached out to Community Partners in Caring for help getting program participants to their many amazing activities – surfing, hiking, swimming from throughout Santa Barbara County.
Many wanted to participate but simply couldn’t get there. Our volunteers stepped up! While the partnership is just beginning, this is how the magic starts – people helping one another one person at a time.
Q: What makes your organization trustworthy for donors, and are there other ways people can support your cause beyond donations?
A: We have earned two prestigious financial ratings during this program year (4-Star rating on Charity Navigator and the “Platinum” seal from Candid (Guide Star)), and increased our online social media presence to reach the next generation of volunteers. We have strong financial systems in place and our Board excels in providing oversight to all operations of our nonprofit.
We are building a diverse model of funding which includes federal and state transportation dollars, grants, and donations from individuals. By leveraging these dollars with the value of volunteers, we support this model of caring for vulnerable community members.
Q: Can you highlight one immediate goal and one long-term vision your nonprofit aims to achieve in the next year?
A: Am immediate goal is to increase our volunteer pool by 50 percent so that every client’s request is met. The long term vision is to be more active in spreading the word about our services knowing that we have the volunteers to meet the increased demand. We want to create a community where volunteer caregiving is valued as an important way to support aging adults and individuals living with disabilities to access basic human needs – medical care, food, and companionship.
Click here to support the Community Partners In Caring as they empower seniors and adults with disabilities through compassionate volunteer support.
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.