SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) — The Santa Barbara YMCA is expanding opportunities for older adults to stay active, meet people and build connections as concerns about loneliness and social isolation grow. More than 5,000 seniors participate in local YMCA programs, a number that has increased about nine percent annually over the past five years. Members can
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara High School has opened a new Wellness Center. It’s designed to give students a place to step away when the school day becomes overwhelming. “Student athlete, taking a bunch of hard classes … and also being the president. It gets really stressful!” student Yesenia Dunn said. The space
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — On a chess board, every move matters. But for a group of seniors in Santa Barbara, perhaps the most important move is the one that gets them out of the house and into the room. Every Tuesday and Thursday, players gather at the Louise Lowry Davis Center for games of chess,
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The Santa Barbara Unified School District has joined a lawsuit against social media companies. It is a federal suit.
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – After losing a spouse, one local parent’s first priority became helping the children through their grief. That search for support led the family to Hospice of Santa Barbara, where specialized grief programs gave the children a safe place to express their emotions, connect with other young people facing similar losses
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PORT HUENEME, Calif. (KEYT) — A game of chess is bringing together two players who are a century apart. One is 106 years old. The other is just six. Their match in Port Hueneme is highlighting how chess can help keep minds sharp, teach critical thinking and create connections across generations. “Good luck. Who’s gonna
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MONTECITO, Calif. — There were plenty of smiles, lots of dancing and even a few spins around the dance floor Thursday afternoon as the Friendship Center hosted its annual Senior Prom for people living with dementia. The event transformed the Montecito center into a celebration filled with music, laughter and community, giving participants an opportunity
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, Santa Barbara is highlighting how everyday spaces can support emotional well-being.The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce has been lighting the Visitor Center green all month to raise awareness for mental health.The effort connects tourism with community wellness.Many visitors arrive
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ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (KEYT) – A Central Coast nonprofit hosted a free first responder wellness event at Grace Bible Church in Arroyo Grande on Thursday. Those who attended have some of the most stressful jobs in the world. The organization Behind That Badge is offering support for the wellbeing and healing of anyone in a
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – During a special summit held on Wednesday, local teens throughout Santa Barbara got the rare opportunity to sit down with some of the community’s most influential people – putting those in power in the hot seat. Inside the Faulkner Gallery, several tables were set up in preparation for the student-led
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GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) —Students and coaches from Santa Barbara City College stepped onto the golf course this week for a lesson that went far beyond learning the game itself. At Glen Annie Golf Club, students participated in a hands-on adaptive golf training focused on learning how to guide athletes who are blind or visually impaired.
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OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – In Oxnard, Jesus Amezcua is living proof that when life gets tough, you just gotta dance it out. The Central Coast native says he always had a love for dancing – break dancing to be exact. He started dancing at the age of six, and only improved over time. Mastered balancing
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A downtown Santa Barbara art exhibit is turning simple handwritten notes into moments of connection between strangers. The interactive installation invites people to share personal stories, reflections, and memories, which are then displayed for others to read and engage with. The goal is to slow people down in a busy
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LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) — While Unity Shoppe’s Lompoc Free Store enters its second year serving underserved residents with food and clothing support, one grassroots group is making sure help reaches those who can’t make it through the doors. Circle of Caring, founded by Lompoc resident Anita Macias, brings meals, clothing and hygiene supplies directly to
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MONTECITO, Calif. — A fresh look is bringing renewed energy to a longtime community resource in Montecito. At the Friendship Center, recent renovations are doing more than improving appearances — they’re helping seniors living with dementia feel more comfortable, engaged, and cared for. “We give them love and care, but I want them to feel
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SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.—A new documentary premiering at the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival is transforming personal loss into a powerful story of healing. “Voices: The Danny Gans Story” follows the life and legacy of Danny Gans—one of Las Vegas’ most celebrated performers—but at its core, the film tells a more personal story: his
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MONTECITO, Calif. — “I’m a widow from the South Side of Chicago… this is something built strictly from the heart.” That’s how Toya Banks describes the journey behind Hermanas Amigas Tequila—a brand whose name translates to “sister friends,” and whose foundation is rooted in love, loss, and resilience. “There are sisters, there are friends, and
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VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) — In the heart of downtown Ventura, the Seniors Craft Shoppe is more than just a retail space — it’s a creative hub where older adults turn passion into purpose. Inside the shop, local seniors display and sell a wide range of handcrafted goods, from paintings and home décor to jewelry and
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OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) — For John Herrera, music was a gateway to addiction. “The way that I got into substances was through playing music. People would come through, and then they would give different substances to me,” said the Senior Peer Recovery Coach. Now, it’s his safe haven and a tool to empower young adults
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VENTURA, Calif.—Over 400 students, close to 1500 volunteers, and months of preparation culminated in one unforgettable night… fittingly named “A Night To Remember.” “It’s just one night of your of your entire year. You can make that person feel so special, something they remember for the rest of that year or the rest of their
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