ONGOING
Respite Care
Professional support and care for your loved one while you take a break from caregiving.
Family Consultations
Personalized discussions with healthcare professionals to assess the needs of your loved one and the support you need as their caregiver.
Memory Screenings
A confidential evaluation tool given by a healthcare professional that assesses memory, language, and thinking skills to determine if further medical follow-up is needed.
Contact:
Melissa Gerard, 707-815-6258
melissa.gerard@providence.org
Caregiver Support Groups
Whether you have been caring for someone for many years or recently find yourself a new care-partner, our support group can help you connect with others experiencing similar situations. This group is led by our Medical Social Worker who will introduce group topics, provide clinical advice/suggestions, and guidance for the group.
These groups are offered free of charge to Napa County community members.
In Person (St. Helena):
First Thursday of the month, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Rianda House Senior Activity Center, 1475 main St., Saint Helena, CA 94574
In Person (Napa):
2nd Tuesday of each month, 10:30 a.m.-noon (90-minute group)
3rd Thursday of each month, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. (60-minute group)
The Inn on Villa Lane, 3255 Villa Lane, Napa, CA 94558
Online:
Third Thursday of the month, 3:00- 4:30 p.m.
On Zoom
Contact:
Melissa Gerard, 707-815-6258
melissa.gerard@providence.org
Brain Health
Mind Boosters
A therapeutic evidence-based program for people who are experiencing the early stages of memory loss and want to be proactive in maintaining and maximizing their brain health.
Fridays: 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Providence Community Health Napa Valley, 414 South Jefferson St., Napa, CA 94559
Fee: $40
MasterMinds!
A 6-week course which guides you to learn more about your memory and practical steps on how to improve your memory. Participants are expected to attend all classes in the series as each class builds on the information from the previous week.
Series 6 - 2026
October 14 - November 18
Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Rianda House Senior Activity Center, 1475 main St., Saint Helena, CA 94574
This is a free community event.
Contact:
Melissa Gerard, 707-815-6258
melissa.gerard@providence.org
Lunch & Learn, Angwin
Join Us for Our Free Lunch & Learn Seminars!
• Take part in engaging conversations on inspiring topics
• Enjoy a delicious, healthy lunch provided at no cost
• Learn something new while connecting with friends—both familiar and new faces
October 7, 2026
PUC Stories from the Archive
Speaker: Karl Wilcox
Karl Wilcox is the Walter Utt Professor at Pacific Union College. He has taught at PUC, Newbold College, Southwestern Adventist University, and Weimar College. Karl was educated in England, Scotland, and the USA. He has published scholarly articles on the Book of Job, Genesis, 1 Kings, Medieval Philosophy, and Medieval Literature. A former rock-climbing guide, Karl teaches skiing part-time and rides his bicycle 6000 miles each year.
USUAL SCHEDULE
First Wednesday of the month
TIME
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
LOCATION
Fireside Room,
Pacific Union College,
10 Angwin Ave., Angwin
To RSVP please call or text 909-725-6919
We would like to have enough lunches for everyone!
SCHEDULED
Encountering Grief with Mindfulness
This is a four-week meditative support group led by Barbara Dondero for individuals who have already engaged in grief counseling or support and are seeking a deeper, more contemplative path. Barbara, a graduate of the Buddhist Chaplaincy Program, has been practicing mindfulness meditation since 1989.
She has been involved in the leadership of Napa Valley Insight Meditation since its inception. She worked as an RN and NP for 34 years, including seven years as a hospice nurse and believes in the transformative power of mindfulness and loving kindness practices to heal ourselves, our relationships, and our communities.
Participants are invited to meet grief as it is in the present moment through gentle mindfulness practices, guided reflection, and shared inquiry. Rather than focusing on coping strategies or problem solving, the emphasis is on cultivating awareness, compassion, and steadiness as grief continues to unfold over time.
DATE/TIME
Wednesdays
October 14 - November 4
4:00 – 5 :00 p.m.
LOCATION
Providence Community Health Napa Valley
Front Conference Room,
414 South Jefferson St. Napa
COST
This is a free community service
REGISTRATION
Contact Yessenia Mendez
707‑258‑9080
yessenia.mendez@providence.org
Words for the Journey: A Grief Writing & Journaling Support Group
Grief can be difficult to carry alone. Writing offers a gentle way to express emotions, honor memories, and make meaning of life's losses. Whether you are grieving the death of a loved one, a cherished pet, a relationship, or another significant loss, you are invited to join us in a supportive and compassionate environment.
Through guided writing prompts, reflective journaling, and optional group sharing, participants will have the opportunity to:
• Explore thoughts and emotions related to grief
• Honor memories and meaningful connections
• Reduce feelings of isolation through shared experience
• Discover the healing power of storytelling and self-expression
• Cultivate hope, resilience, and personal growth
"Writing can help us tell the stories our hearts need to share and preserve the memories we never want to lose."
Come as you are. Bring your memories, your questions, and your story. Let writing help guide you through the journey of grief, one page at a time.
DATE/TIME
Mondays (4 Weeks)
November 2, 9, 16, 23
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
LOCATION
Providence, Conference Room
414 South Jefferson St. Napa
COST
This is a free community service.
Journals will be provided
REGISTRATION/INFORMATION
Susan Dunaway-Tsujihara
707-991-8363
susan.dunaway-tsujihara@providence.org
No writing experience is necessary.
This is not a writing class. It is a safe space to reflect, write, and heal at your own pace.
Tender Steps
Held in partnership with COPE Family Center, this free program assists children—and by extension their loved ones—navigate grief. Tender Steps is free to all and geared to children aged approximately 5-10 years. The session is open to both English and Spanish speakers, children may attend any or all sessions and it does not matter when the child’s loss occurred. This session’s theme will be “Holding onto Memories,” and children will create a paper jar filled with positive memories of their loved one that they have written or drawn that they can look back when feeling down.
REMEMBERING WITH LOVE
Children are encouraged to remember their loved one with joy, even while feeling sadness. This session helps them explore their emotions and find positive ways to carry memories forward.
Thursday, October 15
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Holidays without a loved one can feel confusing or lonely. This session gives children simple tools to understand their feelings and find comfort during special times. Together, we’ll discover ways to keep traditions or create new ones that bring peace and connection.
Thursday, November 20
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Dementia & The Holidays
The Holidays are filled with family traditions, religious services, and gatherings with friends. But when someone in your family or circle of
friends is diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, holiday celebrations can be challenging. Old traditions can feel impossible, travel out of the question, and self-care can be forgotten. Join us to learn about how to create new holiday traditions, learn travel tips, and prioritize self-care over the holidays so that you and those around you can feel included and part of a low-stress celebration.
DATE/TIME
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
LOCATION
Providence
Conference Room
414 South Jefferson St. Napa
Pre-registration required.
Please contact:
Melissa Gerard, 707-815-6258
melissa.gerard@providence.org