Something was missing from our hearts, celebrating with our tightly packed women’s groups has been impossible due to COVID-19 restrictions. So, on Friday, May 28th, we finally headed outdoors to pick up our monthly tradition, and season it with a good old- fashioned shrimp and crawfish boil!
This event was packed with great music, laughter, cheering, clapping, and stomping in support of our recovering residents.
Change is hard, but recognizing change is imperative. At Santa Maria (SMH), we have learned that there is no substitute for recognizing and celebrating, change. As part of our regular programming, we have faithfully held a recovery recognition event on a monthly basis previous to the pandemic.
Coming together at our monthly recovering events also brings hope and encouragement to the many new individuals that are celebrating days free from drugs and alcohol. We are so proud of our residents and the hard work they have endured.
The women completing their programs took the microphone and shared inspiring messages of change. Everyone cheered them on, and they in turn, cheered on the staff.
We would like to thank Swatantra and Bimla Jain and the group of young professionals at Katy Rotaract for their generous donation and Joi and Angel from Joiful Entertainment that made this event possible. It was a magical and inspirational afternoon.
Rev. Tammy Heinrich, Pastor at Terrace United Methodist
For many years, Rev. Tammy Heinrich has been a beacon of light and inspiration for the residents of Santa Maria. As a Pastor at Terrace United Methodist, she regularly led groups at our Jacquelyn campus. Her infectious smile and sunny disposition brightened many events over the years.
When she agreed to speak at our recent Recovery Recognition event, we were thrilled! It had been sometime since we had connected, as her responsibilities were shifted in her current position at Chapelwood United Methodist Church. Chapelwood, too, has always been an important faith community partner, so it was natural that her work there would eventually lead back to Jacquelyn House.
For the event, she was asked to deliver hope and inspiration. She did not disappoint. Residents and staff alike listened with rapt attention as she outlined some of the common stages of recovery and spiritual change which she put into three categories; running red lights, roadblocks and detours. She emphasized that these stages happened when we had too many “me to me” conversations in our head, not including those around us and our God.
The definitions of these stages were as follows:
Running Red Lights – pretending like there is no need to stop and pay attention to our behaviors, a “whole lot of denial”.
Roadblocks – telling oneself there is nothing to be done to come back from the things already done.
Detours – Believing that treatment is a detour before getting on with the rest of life, rather it is the actual path of your life.
Tammy recalls that her call to ministry came from a Bible Study she led to women in treatment for substance use disorder. She says, “I witnessed resurrection from one week to the next as I literally saw them come back to life. As my role in outreach ministry began to grow, I decided to enroll in graduate school (seminary). I had no intention of becoming a pastor, but God had other ideas.”
The community of recovery is a dynamic community that gives and takes. Service time becomes life-changing, life-affirming. We are thrilled that the residents and staff of Jacquelyn have met Rev. Tammy Heinrich and welcomed her hope and wisdom along our path. Thank you for your service, Tammy!
Cary White, our new Chief Development and Communications Officer is a native of Florida but no stranger to the needs of underserved communities and families struggling to make ends meet in Texas, that is why for the past 25 years she has dedicated her life to enhancing life transforming services through programming, fundraising and local likeminded partnerships.
Our original award of 
As a professional responsible for coordinating logistics for people involved in legal cases,Tommy Austin has been serving the residents of Santa Maria for over 15 years. He works as a go-between for various agencies and individuals helping the legal process run smoothly. The goal of his services is to assist in family reunification. His overall objective is to increase communication and sharing of information between the resident, SMH and the court or Department of Family Services.
Since its inception in 1965, the 
If you were unable to attend our Rise virtual fundraiser, not to worry, there is still time for you to GIVE.
Easter is a major family holiday celebration, especially for children. Kids are excited to meet the Easter Bunny, go on an egg hunt with their friends and eat a few jellybeans. This year all of these traditions were made possible thanks to a generous group of volunteers: TEAM Maldonado and Low Masters Car Club. The joy that this Easter Bunny brought was almost unreal… kids and adults waved and said hello with such an excitement!
Here is Cindy Schoeller with Cindys Toy Box who brought 85 Easter baskets filled with Discovery Toys, candy and eggs for our children. Each basket was made with age-appropriate toys for learning and development. This is Cindy’s second year to bless our kids! Thanks to the loving spirit of Cindy and her customers whose donations and time make this happen! Baskets were distributed over the weekend to some lucky lads.
Mom ,Lisa Lyerly and daughter, Presley dropped off lots of items for our moms at Jacquelyn House to assemble Easter baskets for their children. Dozens of stuffed eggs, buckets, Easter grass and small toys made great choices for the project! Our thanks to the families at Archway Academy who pitched together to bring us these festive items. Lisa and Presley have been visiting Bonita House since before Presley was born! They make each holiday special with their thoughtful gifts.
Our friends from Christ United Methodist Church delivered Easter baskets for our kids at Bonita House and craft kits for spring! Pictured are Sandra Vautrain, women’s group coordinator and JoAnn Marshall, case manager at Santa Maria receiving this beautiful bounty of donations.
Recovery Day at the Capital is scheduled for Wednesday, March 31. The virtual session will begin by featuring an overview of current bills in committee and headed towards consideration in this session. Later in the day, virtual office visits with State Senators and House Representatives are scheduled. Registration is open to all who have interest through the Recovery Peoples’ website 
Bolder Advocacy is a program at Alliance for Justice. Our coach and counsel, Jen Powis, offices in Houston and specializes in working with non-profit leaders to acquire skills within the rules that govern non-profit advocacy for effective options that are open to them. She works with mission-driven organizations who seek sound public policy and support for the issues they represent.
Her father had always been frightening. He loomed large over her, in rages that would often end in severe and painful “punishment”. Trying to protect her two younger sisters, she would stand in his path and take the blows herself. When her mother tried to step in, he would turn his anger towards her and her mother would often be badly beaten.
#FightForUs is a Social Community Movement to raise our voices and combat sex trafficking.
