Santa Maria staff gets in the spirit during jersey day.
Don’t Stop Believing
Imagine life behind bars. Now imagine serving time in prison while you are carrying a child. Although many of us could not imagine this situation let alone know how we would react, there are numerous women in Texas that are facing this occurrence as a stark reality. On average, there are approximately 250 babies that are born to Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) offenders each year. Some of these women are denied that critical period of bonding with their baby after birth, and the infant is usually placed with caregivers until the mother is eligible for release. For others, like Carolyn, there is Santa Maria’s BAMBI program (Baby and Mother Bonding Initiative).
Pregnant and behind bars on a theft case, Carolyn didn’t have much to believe in, especially herself, until she was selected to take part of the BAMBI program at Santa Maria. Upon arrival, Carolyn was overwhelmed at the facilities and the array of services offered through BAMBI. “One of the first things I did in BAMBI is to take a hard look at myself.” Carolyn continued, “BAMBI made me realize that I had a problem with alcohol and I needed to change.” Carolyn took full advantage of the services offered through BAMBI and also took to heart the lessons learned from trials and tribulations of her fellow BAMBI residents. Carolyn recalls that “everywhere I turned there were positive female role models for me to follow and that above all else, turned my life around.” She continued, “It changed my mind frame and I began to believe in myself again.” While in group sessions, Carolyn’s baby was being well taken care of by the caring and compassionate staff at Santa Maria. Carolyn reflected that “the care my daughter received was great and they did it the right way. I deeply appreciate the support and structure that BAMBI offered both me and my daughter.”
Today, Carolyn is in Dallas with her children and with help from her family she is working her recovery one day at a time. Carolyn’s future is bright as she is attending Barber College and volunteers her time helping other women in recovery.
Carolyn, keep working your recovery and never stop believing!
Thank you to Green Standards and ExxonMobil
Thank you to Green Standards and ExxonMobil for their recent donation of office furniture and their continued support. We are deeply appreciative!
Grant from the Harris County Hospital District Foundation (HCHDF)
Santa Maria was recently awarded a grant from the Harris County Hospital District Foundation (HCHDF) to offer mental health services for our children and families. Pictured is Santa Maria’s CEO, Nadine Scamp, LMSW, with Harris County Hospital District Foundation staff and other grantees.
Thank you HCHDF for your generous support and partnership over the years.
Summer 2014
One of Our Biggest Supporters, HomeAid Houston
Make sure to read this great article about Santa Maria and one of our biggest supporters, HomeAid Houston.
For more info on HomeAid Houston: www.homeaidhouston.org
Excellence in Veterans Assistance Award
Santa Maria Hostel and the VIEWS program have been selected for the Excellence in Veterans Assistance Award, to be presented at the 2014 Veterans Mental Health Summit.
This inaugural award of the 2014 Veterans Mental Health Summit is being given to a select number of individuals and organizations in the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast Region that have made significant contributions to veteran reintegration efforts. It also recognizes those whose efforts have inspired patriotism, provided service to others, and offered hope to veterans and/or their families while demonstrating collaboration, leadership, and integrity.
For more information on the VIEWS program, click here.
Tech Appreciation
A special thank you to Charlene J., Cynthia A., and Karnisha C. for going above and beyond the call of duty to help the women and children of Santa Maria. We appreciate your care, compassion and dedication.
Pictured left to right are: CST Supervisor Karen Gaddis, Honorees Charlene J., Cynthia A. and Karnisha C. with Director of Operations and Quality Management, Cynthia Turner.
Day of Caring at Santa Maria’s
Santa Maria would like to express our gratitude to more than 50 ExxonMobil volunteers that rolled up their sleeves during a recent “Day of Caring” at Santa Maria’s Jacquelyn facility.
Armed with paint, brushes, wood, and tools the ExxonMobil team spent the entire day painting the dining room which included adding protective chair rails, building shelves in the storage shed, replacing an entire section of fence and many more minor repairs throughout the complex. During lunch, ExxonMobil volunteers heard moving testimonies from two of our ladies on how Santa Maria has changed their lives.
Thanks again to ExxonMobil and a special thanks to their volunteers that keep coming back year after year to help Santa Maria.
From the Heart…
Not wanting to drink again is in my heart. That is how I am able to abstain now. I am self-controlled in that matter. Before I went to Santa Maria not drinking was only in my head and I am not self-disciplined. I could not quit just by telling myself that I did not want to drink anymore.
The secret for me was getting it from my head to my heart. I believe that happened in the course of my writing during therapy at Santa Maria. I was able to move not wanting to drink from my head to my heart.
I was initially afraid when I left Santa Maria wondering what I would do when the bad moods struck, I have been up, down and all around since I left Santa Maria and I have not drank. The only explanation I have is that it is in my heart to not drink again.
Words from former client Lauri W.