New Center Provides Services and DSS Referrals

Assemblymember Das Williams speaks at the Center's ribbon-cutting ceremony

Santa Barbara’s Eastside is a socioeconomically diverse neighborhood, with many low-income and immigrant households. For some of these households, it can be a struggle to provide food, shelter, and physical and mental health care for the family. The Santa Barbara County 2013 Snapshot of Poverty report designated the Eastside a High Poverty Area, and recommended co-locating services in such areas.

That’s where the new Franklin Service Center comes in—providing new services, co-located with existing services, in a high-need area.

Pictures from Food Day

The Food Day kickoff celebration in Santa Barbara on October 24 was a success. Held in partnership with County of Santa Barbara's Public Health and Community Action Commission, the event featured activities, community resources, cooking demos, raffles and all-around celebration of healthy food for everyone regardless of income.  Two of our own Department of Social Services staff were on hand to help people learn about CalFresh, a program that helps low-income people afford food. Click the "Read More" link below for some fun pictures (courtesy of Caro Stinson and Holly Carmody). 

Public invited to free celebration of healthy food for all

The public is invited to attend a free kick-off event for Food Day — a celebration to promote healthy food for all. The event takes place at the Back Door Deli, 315 Camino Del Remedio in Santa Barbara, from 11 am to 1 pm on Friday, October 24.

The celebration will feature local growers, cooking and gardening demonstrations, raffle prizes, a Zumba for preschoolers exercise demonstration, and activities that inspire people to “eat real”. Food Day celebration guests will have a chance to “ask a registered dietician” questions about health and nutrition, and sample healthy foods. Guests will also be able to learn about and sign up for CalFresh—a program that helps low-income people afford food.

Family Fun Day & Health Fair

Over 60 health care providers and community organizations, including DSS, helped bring a fun and impactful day of health and wellness to the heart of Santa Barbara’s Westside community at the Family Fun Day & Health Fair on September 22, 2012.