VNA Health Volunteers

VNA Health Volunteers Volunteers bringing comfort, compassion & connection to patients and families. VNA Health Volunteers are the heart of our mission.

As part of VNA Health—the area’s leading nonprofit provider of home health, palliative, and hospice care—our volunteers give their time, talents, and compassion to bring comfort, connection, and support to patients and families. From companionship visits and music to pet therapy, Reiki, administrative help, and more, our volunteers make a meaningful difference every single day.

✨ Together, we make moments matter.

Shannon has a degree in Civil Engineering but changed careers to becoming a hairdresser. We are forever grateful that sh...
08/25/2026

Shannon has a degree in Civil Engineering but changed careers to becoming a hairdresser. We are forever grateful that she made the switch because of how much help she provides at Serenity House.

“I volunteer with VNA because after my mom had a stroke, I became aware of how my talents could help people in need feel better simply by cutting or styling their hair. VNA Health is such a wonderful community resource that I was proud to join the organization. It is a privilege to be able to brighten the day of a hospice patient. I most certainly benefit from volunteering, and I would encourage others to do the same in whatever capacity possible.”

08/22/2026

🎶 Volunteer Spotlight: Mandee Sikich

On any given day, you might find Mandee sitting bedside with a patient at end of life, providing respite support to a caregiver, welcoming families at Serenity House reception, sharing her music at the piano, or leading a grief book club for our volunteers.

Mandee holds a Master’s degree in Music, plays piano and guitar, is a photographer, and is an End-of-Life Doula.

We feel very fortunate to have someone with such a unique combination of compassion, creativity, and experience as part of our volunteer team. ❤️

We’re proud to recognize Colonel (Retired) Brooke Brander, U.S. Air Force, who spent 22 years as an active Air Force mem...
07/09/2026

We’re proud to recognize Colonel (Retired) Brooke Brander, U.S. Air Force, who spent 22 years as an active Air Force member and volunteers in our Vet – to – Vet patient care program in the North County area (Lompoc & Solvang).

Brooke is pictured with her partner, Col Lawrence Smith, Space Launch Delta 30, Deputy Commander.

“When I found the vet-to-vet hospice program I knew I wanted to get involved, and with this program I’m able to give back to my fellow veterans, men and women who forged the military I eventually ended up serving in.”

She loves listening and learning from the lives and experiences of the veterans she has the opportunity to visit.

“Companionship is something we need as human being and providing this simple but important thing to another human at the end of their life is both important and meaningful.“

07/07/2026

Checking in from our Santa Barbara Volunteer Support Meeting! Today’s speakers are Arlene Stepputat and Jennifer Miller, both End-of-Life Doulas, sharing their knowledge and experience with our volunteers.

🎓 Congratulations to our graduating VNA Health volunteers!Pictured here is volunteer Abhishek Sahota, who recently gradu...
06/20/2026

🎓 Congratulations to our graduating VNA Health volunteers!

Pictured here is volunteer Abhishek Sahota, who recently graduated from UCSB with a B.S. in Biopsychology. Abhishek has shared his gift of music with hospice patients through guitar and piano at Serenity House and Home Hospice.

His visit notes often captured the quiet power of music — moments when patients with advanced dementia or those who communicated mostly nonverbally smiled, made eye contact, vocalized, or connected in meaningful ways. In one note, Abhishek described a mostly nonverbal patient suddenly smiling and speaking during his visit as “a surreal and emotional moment.”

To Abhishek and all of our graduating volunteers: thank you for the compassion, time, and heart you shared with VNA Health. You will be DEARLY MISSED, and we wish you all the best in your next chapter! 💙

06/11/2026

“Not only will you help people in need at VNA, you will meet a great group of volunteers and employees who are helping out in a very special way. VNA offers support groups and connection to the medical community that helps me become more knowledgeable and a better person.”

Scott loves working in the garden at Serenity House under Chef Fabio, it reminds him of his wife who was also a chef.

When he is not volunteering at Serenity House, Scott is a film maker and is currently working on a documentary.

🐾🎉 Happy 7th Birthday, Emma! 🎉🐾Tomorrow, our beloved pet therapy dog Emma turns 7 years old! We celebrated a little earl...
06/05/2026

🐾🎉 Happy 7th Birthday, Emma! 🎉🐾

Tomorrow, our beloved pet therapy dog Emma turns 7 years old! We celebrated a little early today at Serenity House, where Emma arrived in style wearing her birthday bandana and a special crown featuring a big #7. 👑🐾

Emma has been volunteering at Serenity House since she was just 2 or 3 years old.

A special thank you to her handler, Thomas Felkay, for sharing Emma with our hospice community. Please join us in wishing Emma a very happy birthday! 💜

05/29/2026

At VNA Health, every day is a special day to celebrate our hospice Veterans. Through Veteran Pinning Ceremonies, we honor their military service and create a meaningful moment of pride, recognition, and gratitude for patients and their families.

Made possible by our Veteran Volunteers, who continue to serve with heart, respect, and compassion.

05/21/2026

“Volunteering through hospice is a really meaningful role that is truly incomparable. You'll learn so much about yourself, the patients, staff involved, and hospice care as a whole! I think hospice is truly misunderstood until you're somehow involved with it.”

Maddy is a part of our North County Volunteers on the Flower Team, providing respite care, and NODA.

She learned about our volunteer program from her mother, Yasmine- who works at VNA Health.

A few special moments from the 25th Anniversary VNA Health Mother’s Day Luncheon 💕Thank you to our wonderful volunteers ...
05/11/2026

A few special moments from the 25th Anniversary VNA Health Mother’s Day Luncheon 💕

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who helped make this meaningful event possible, including Linda Davis for assisting with registration and the students from Laguna Blanca High School for helping assemble gift bags and support the raffle.

We are grateful for everyone who helped honor the spirit of caregiving in our community.

Address

512 E Gutierrez Street , CA, United States
Santa Barbara, CA
93103

Telephone

+18056906245

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