Join our RISE Virtual Fundraising -featuring the journey of Alex.
Our supporters tell us that the most powerful way to share our work is through a story of one of our clients…so here goes our attempt to do that with basic video capabilities from our handheld devices, social distancing, and the heartwarming and inspirational journey of Alex.
Please consider making a donation to support our life-saving, life-changing work. We know that as we begin to emerge from our homes, there will be many who will be seeking our support and our programs.
Click to Watch the video -the inspirational journey of Alex.
TO DONATE, CLICK HERE.
Read our Spring 2020 Newsletter
Easter Goodies Galore
We want to celebrate some very special people that remembered us for the Easter holiday! Their generosity and giving spirit lit up our days with goodies for our clients and their kids…
Cindy Schoeller – Discovery Toys Team Leader
Nicole Serle and The Lellow Foundation
Janna Roberson and Urban Harvest
Staying At Home with Our Santa Maria Kids
Everyone with school-age children has been facing the reality that students will not return before the end of the school year. Nationwide, parents are learning to assist with “home-schooling” their kids, guiding them through new on-line platform learning and activities that keep young minds active and engaged. They are also learning to add active play, games and creative projects to entertain at home.
Here at Bonita House, where children live on campus with their mothers while their moms are receiving treatment, we are also faced with that challenge. We currently have about 25 school aged students living on campus, ranging in age from 5 to 15 years old.
We are fortunate to have our Prevention Specialists from our Prevention and Intervention Program (PPI) to provide an array of social and emotional learning experiences along with some just plain fun games, movies and entertaining activities.
Our Prevention Specialist team have arranged a variety of positive sessions including arts and crafts, board games, educational bingo and on the horizon, an Easter Egg hunt. As school shifted to online lessons and work packets, our staff jumped in to assist with support.
RISE Luncheon moves to Virtual Event -Tuesday May 5
Please join us for our Virtual RISE Event benefiting Santa Maria, on Tuesday, May 5.
In light of the current COVID-19 health concerns we have decided to mover annual RISE Luncheon to a Virtual Event. Although we won’t be able to gather in person on May t, you will be able to participate in a number of on-line segments to celebrate and support the mission and work of Santa Maria.
Encourage those you know to join us online as we make it happen.
Tuesday, May 5th, 2020
TO DONATE, CLICK HERE.
Santa Maria Hostel Responds to COVID-19
The health and safety of our clients, visitors, and staff is one of our top priorities. In response to the declaration of a Health Emergency in Harris County, Texas and the nation, Santa Maria (SMH) is taking necessary precautions and implementing protocols to keep everyone safe.
Temporary Suspension of Visitors and Volunteers
In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 and with the primary goal of the safety of our clients and staff, family visitation and volunteer participation will be suspended until further notice. Efforts will be made to continue family visitation through electronic devices, especially for clients and their offsite children.
Small volunteer and community group programs will also be suspended.
Screening for all Individuals Entering Facilities
In an effort to limit potential exposure to our current clients and staff, all individuals will be screened by phone prior to their admission appointment for COVID-19 indicators and again when they present at SMH.
All visitors and staff will be screened for COVID-19 indicators prior to entering the facilities. Individuals will stop at the marked areas (6 ft away from front desk) for screening.
Continued Client Services and Admissions
SMH will continue to admit participants for detoxification, residential and outpatient treatment, Caring for Two/Mommies, and housing programs. Individuals will be screened prior to admission.
Cancellation and Rescheduling of all Outside Events, Travel and Programs
All outside gatherings, conferences and programs will be cancelled and rescheduled when possible. This includes Recovery Recognition and recovery support groups at the Paschall Women’s Recovery Community Center.
In-Kind Donations
No unsolicited in-kind donations (such as clothing) will be received at this time, until further notice.
Cleaning
Appropriate staff will be performing frequent cleaning and disinfecting throughout the facilities, including extra attention to common areas and high touch surfaces such as doorknobs.
We will closely monitor the emergency situation and will adjust protocols when necessary to meet our most important responsibility, the health and safety of our clients and staff. During this difficult time, we ask for your patience and support.
Resource Links:
https://www.cdc.gov
https://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov
https://www.aa-intergroup.org
COVID19 -Updated Guest and Visitor Policies and Precautions
During the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, keeping everyone safe is our top priority.
We are temporarily limiting guests and volunteers at the facility. This means family groups and family visitation may be disrupted. It also means that all outside volunteer groups will not meet, at least until the end of March and we can reevaluate the community situation. We ask for your patience during this time.
For essential visits, we ask that anyone with active symptoms of COVID-19 not come on the property. Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing, as well as other upper respiratory symptoms and diarrhea. If you exhibit symptoms while on the property, staff may ask you to leave the facility.
As a precaution guests may not enter any Santa Maria facility until 14 days have passed without symptoms since your travel outside of Texas or close contact (within 6 feet for 30 minutes or more) with a person confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus. We will ask any guests who do arrive with these circumstances to depart the facility immediately.
Visitors and guests will be asked to follow health protocols including hand washing and sanitizing all bags that are brought on the property.
Finally, we will not be taking unsolicited donations during the immediate future.
Thank you, and we look forward to returning to normal operations in the near future.
Regards,
Santa Maria Hostel
Career Training – Another Tool of Recovery
Priscilla and Brysha began our interview with big, happy smiles which clearly revealed their deep sense of accomplishment surrounding their recent achievements. They had just completed their career development phase at Santa Maria (SMH) and were ready to transition back to the community. For the past two months, part of their program revolved around career development. Both had entered the treatment program with skills that would only land them entry retail or hospitality jobs, not sustainable work for stability and continued growth. Beginning on campus, they participated in our own career development classes, led by staff member Linda Johnson. They were also able to be inspired and guided though a community volunteer program brought to our campus, called WINGS Ministries. In both activities, they learned the basics of job search, applications, resumes and interviewing skills. They started building their confidence.
They were also fortunate enough to be in our first class, a new collaboration with our partner AVANCE, to shore up these skills and expand on their base. Over seven weeks, they participated weekly in the facilitator-led, interactive course that covered healthy relationships, money management and other related topics crucial to forming the strong foundation for securing and maintaining viable employment. Near the end of their session, Priscilla and Brysha and their classmates, successfully earned their forklift and aerial platform safety certification. This additional training qualifies them for jobs that are readily available in the city and double their earning potential to a range of $13-$16/hour. Brysha pointed out the timing of this developmental opportunity was especially important. While she was still being supported and nurtured at SMH, she was able to achieve all of this career preparation and training without the distractions that would inevitably arise once she moved home. “Now, she says, I am ready to begin a good-paying job and get busy right away. I will be able to take care of my baby and my obligations. I am taking something with me that offers a plan.” AVANCE offers additional courses and certifications in computers, culinary training and other sustainable careers. Both women plan to return to expand their capabilities.
Establishing and maintaining a path of long-term recovery is much more than simply staying clean and sober. It is incremental transformational change in all areas of life. The qualification and ability to obtain employment at a livable wage is not only crucial, but confidence-building. It creates purpose and strength that meaningful work offers. As Priscilla and Brysha transition back into the community, they will take many tools for recovery, now opportunity for a sustaining career is one of them. Their full participation in not just the career development, but all phases of our WHO (Women Helping Ourselves) program, shine a light to strength this criminal justice alternative program creates for our clients. We are proud of their tenacity and willingness to improve their lives. We salute their achievements and will follow their progress with Recovery Support Services and our commitment to their journey. We are here for RecovHERy.
Charity Guild of Catholic Women Supports Our Children
On February 3, the Charity Guild of Catholic Women awarded $484,926.00 to 47 non-profit organizations to help children in need in the Greater Houston Area. The presentation took place at the Charity Guild Shop located at 1203 Lovett Blvd. The Charity Guild was originally founded in 1922 to support what is now the San José Clinic. The Guild continues their support to SJC but the impact has expanded as the resale shop has grown in size and reputation. Santa Maria was one of the fortunate recipients of a grant this year.
Nadine Scamp, Santa Maria CEO was present to receive our award. The funds were awarded to the Healing Hearts residential program to provide behavioral health services, support groups and child development activities for children impacted by maternal substance use.
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