the wellness community
cancer support, education and hope
Please click on the links below for more information.
Weekly Programs
Bi-Weekly Activities
Monthly Cancer-Specific Networking Groups
Special Concerns Groups
Programs in Spanish
Satellite Programs
Featured Programs
Upcoming Events
Special Events
To print calendar, click here.
WEEKLY PROGRAMS
- Orientation Meetings
(No appointment needed)
Tuesdays, 7pm – 9pm,
Fridays, 10am – 12 noon
Introductory meetings for adults with cancer, family members, and friends to learn about FREE programs at The Wellness Community and to share concerns.
- Participant Groups
(Requires attendance at an orientation meeting, a brief interview, and a commitment to regular attendance)
Tuesdays, 10am - 12 noon, 6pm – 8pm
Wednesdays, 6pm – 8pm
Thursdays, 10am – 12noon
(Camarillo) Wednesdays, 6pm – 8pm
Ongoing weekly groups, led by licensed psychotherapists, in which people with cancer offer support to one another, explore ways of coping with the stress of cancer, and learn how to become effective partners with their healthcare team.
- Family and Friends Drop-in Group
Tuesdays, 6pm – 8pm
Thursdays, 10am - 12 noon
Drop-in group, led by licensed psychotherapists, providing support for loved ones of people with cancer.
- Family Groups
(Requires attendance at an orientation meeting, a brief interview, and a commitment to regular attendance)
Wednesdays, 6pm – 8pm
Ongoing weekly groups led by licensed psychotherapists, providing support for loved ones of people with cancer.
- Kids Circle - Jump into Art and Other Creative Activities
Tuesdays, 4pm - 5:30pm
A program for children between the ages of 5 and 11 who have a parent or grandparent with cancer. Children feel less alone when they have the opportunity to express feelings and concerns through creative activities. Parents are welcome to chat. Please RSVP, 310.455.1779.
- Beginning Yoga
Wednesdays 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Yoga, with its gentle stretching and deep-breathing, can increase flexibility, relieve muscle tension, aid in relaxation, and promote a feeling of serenity. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat, towel, or blanket to lie on.
- Yoga for Stress Management
Mondays, 11:30am - 12:45pm NOTE: classes are temporarily suspended
This popular course focuses on using the yoga tools of awareness, breathing, gentle movement, meditation, relaxation and imagery to reduce stress and increase feelings of relaxation and well-being.
- Gentle Yoga and Relaxation with Beth
Wednesdays, 7 - 8pm
A new yoga class is offered on Wednesday evenings beginning Oct. 3rd. Beth has been leading yoga classes and retreats for over 30years. Her approach focuses on aligning the body, mind, and spirit through breathing and gentle movement to access healing, relaxation, and inner peace.
- Tai Chi Chih
Thursdays 9:30am – 10am
Tai Chi uses flowing movements to release tension, negativity and stress. Tai Chi Chih is a very simple and easy-to-learn form of tai chi using verbal visualization to give images to the flow. Come and start your day this gentle and relaxing way.
- Relaxation & Guided Imagery: Learn to Access the Power Within
Fridays, 12 noon - 1pm
Facilitated by Paula Getty-Shearer, Certified Hypnotherapist and former Wellness Community participant. Learn to take an active role in your healing and growth process using imagery and relaxation. Imagery can help you access the powers within your own mind to find inner strength, courage and peace. Some benefits include: reduction in anxiety, fear and pain; peace of mind and emotional stability; stimulation of the immune system; management of treatment side effects; preparation for surgery, and after-surgery healing. Please RSVP 805.379.4777.
- Qigong
Saturdays 9am – 10am
Thursdays 12:45 - 1:45 pm, June 5, 12, 19, & July 10, 17, 24, 31
This centuries-old Chinese healing technique promotes health through movement and meditation.
- Knitting Club
Tuesdays 1:00 - 3:30 pm
This group is open to all – experienced knitters as well as those who want to learn. Come and enjoy the camaraderie and creativity - guaranteed to keep you in stitches.
BI-WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
- Quilting Club
First and third Wednesdays of the month, April 2 & 16 and May 7 & 21, 6:30 - 9 pm
Come and join this dynamite group of people who find the age-old art of quilting to be a wonderful outlet for creative expression, a great way to connect with others, and a way to give back to The Wellness Community. Quilting experience is not necessary; please call for location.
- Watercolor Art Class
Second and fourth Tuesdays, April 8 & 22 and May 13 & 27, 1-3 pm
This is a wonderful opportunity to explore your imagination through the use of watercolors No experience (or talent) necessary. Even if you've never picked up a paintbrush, or can't draw a straight line, you will feel right at home
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MONTHLY CANCER-SPECIFIC NETWORKING GROUPS
- Brain Tumor Group
First Thursday of the month, April 3 and May 1, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
For people who have been diagnosed with a brain tumor, as well as for spouses/significant others
- Westlake ABC (After Breast Cancer) Group
Second Thursday of the month, April 10 & May 17, 7 - 9 pm
Peer facilitators Sue Benvenuto and Irene Burns. For details, call Sue at 805.750.4655 or Irene a 805.495.5293.
- Multiple Myeloma Group
First Saturday of the month, April 5 & May 3, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Ventura County support group meeting and luncheon; for details, please call Gary Diehl at 805.647.2852.
- Prostate Cancer Group
Third Saturday of the month, April 19 & May 17, 10:30am – 12:30pm
This group for men with prostate cancer helps raise issues and concerns about sexual functioning, job conflicts, family role changes, self-image and other quality-of-life issues. Spouses/significant others welcome.
- Gynecological Cancer Group (for women only)
First and third Monday of the month, April 7 & 21 and May 5 & 19, 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
For women who have or have had any gynecological cancer
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Group (includes all blood cancers)
Third Thursday of the month, April 17 & May 15, 6:30 - 8:00pm.
For people who have been diagnosed with a blood cancer, as well as for spouses/significant others. Sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Los Robles Regional Medical Center.
SPECIAL CONCERNS GROUPS
- The Wellness Connection
Second and fourth Tuesdays, April 8 & 22 and May 13 & 27, 6:30pm – 8:30pm.
This drop-in group is for those who are no longer involved in the day-to-day cancer experience, but who want to remain connected and involved in the community and maintain their quality of life.
- Transition Group
Second and fourth Thursdays, April 10 & 24,and May 8 & 22, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
For those who have experienced the loss of someone from cancer. (Please call Anne Gessert prior to attending.)
SATELLITE PROGRAMS
- San Fernando Valley
A new support group for people with any type of cancer is now forming and scheduled to begin this fall in the San Fernando Valley at our new satellite location in Winnetka. This ongoing group will meet on Wednesdays at 6:00 - 8:00 pm and will be led by Jodi McIntosh, MFT. If you are interested in joining this group, please call 805.379.4777 for more information.
- Camarillo
Wednesdays, 6pm – 8pm
Support group for people with cancer and their family and friends. Meetings are held at the Camarillo Health Care District, 3639 E. Las Posas Road, Suite 117, Camarillo. Please call 1-805-379-4777 for more information.
- Oxnard -- Women's Support Group
Tuesdays, 1pm - 2:30pm
Sponsored by The Cancer Center of Ventura County, St. John's Regional Medical Center, and facilitated by Wellness Community facilitators, the group meets at The Cancer Center of Ventura County, 1700 N. Rose Avenue, Suite 145, Oxnard. For more information, please call 805.988.2641.
- Central Coast
We are pleased to announce the establishment of our Central Coast Satellite serving Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. To access the Central Coast Program Calendar on this site, please click here. For more information, please call 805.268.4411.
FEATURED PROGRAMS
- Focusing: Listening to the Body
Thursday, May 29, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Our bodies are often neglected as a source of nformaion and wisdom. Cultivating a peaceful, accepting, loving relationship with our bodies can be challenging, particularly when faced with illness. Colleen Kelly, MS, will present a method of self-awareness called focusing that enables us to listen to and appreciate the subtle langage of the body. Colleen is a Marriage & Family therapist intern at the Valley Community Clinic in North Hollywood. Please RSVP 805.379.4777.
- National Cancer Srvivors Day Family Picnic
Saturday, May 31, 1 - 4 pm
Our Cancer Survovors Day event will give you the opportunity to celebrate yor survivorship with others. Join us for good food (donated and prepared by the Kiwanis Club of Thousand Oaks) and many fun activities, including a clown. Come ,celebrate life with your fellow cancer survivors, family and friends!
UPCOMING EVENTS