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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioner Rodney Ellis hosted the first of a listening series, a community conversation aimed at gathering input for programs that support early childhood development. The community gathering was held at The Health Museum on Saturday, February 15, 2020 as part of Baby Day.  Judge Hidalgo has been leading an effort to explore potential investments for young children in our community. This workshop was designed to inspire conversations on known best practices that allow children to thrive. Santa Maria’s own Prevention and Intervention Department staff participated as experts on the front lines, educators and practitioners, with ideas of changes they believe will better prepare our children for success.

Research demonstrates that early childhood education has one of the strongest returns on investment for any type of public programs. Positive outcomes associated with early childhood programs include; better school performance, higher rates of employment as adults and less contact with the criminal justice system. According to Texas School Ready it is estimated by states “that as many as half of their children, particularly those from low socioeconomic backgrounds and/or learning English as a second language (ESL), are entering kindergarten programs without the basic cognitive foundational skills necessary for them to succeed.” Thousands of families in Harris County simply lack access to essential early childhood resources for their children. Judge Hidalgo wants to dig deeper to explore what Harris County should offer to help each new generation of Houstonians grow up stronger, safer and better prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

“We can’t avoid a conversation as important as the future of our children, and so while we are still working on infrastructure, flood control , criminal justice and all these other issues, we are also working for our younger kids.” Judge Hidalgo said in opening remarks. “Today is about us learning. Please share all your thoughts, not only about pre-K, we are talking about 0-3 years, even pre-natal. We want to hear from you about what you want to see, in the Harris County future.” she added.

We were excited about this opportunity to share our concerns and experiences with our elected officials. We were grateful for the platform to contribute our knowledge and expertise to help build a stronger community and a better future for our children.  We look forward to continued conversations that lead to stronger early education programs in our city.

The organization, First3Years, celebrated the early experiences that shape lifelong potential for all babies with a state-wide event, Baby Day on February 15. The day was created to promote bonding and delight between caregivers and children. It celebrated the extraordinary period of growth and development infants and toddlers experience within their first three years of life.

Santa Maria’s Prevention and Intervention staff participated in two different cities, Baytown and Houston. The Baby Day event in Baytown was held at the Baytown Community Center and the event in Houston was held at The Health Museum. At both events, SMH staff and other community agencies led activities that engaged the infants in creative play and learning. The activities included; both infant and toddler yoga, infant CPR, story time (led by Santa Maria), mindfulness and breathing exercises, and curated art projects.  It was delightful to see how “simple” activities like playing with bubbles, playing with balls of different sizes, colors and textures  excited and engaged infants and toddlers.   This annual celebration is growing across the country and we were proud to be part of the festivities!

Strengthening Families… Expanding Prevention Services in our Community

We are excited to announce the award of a Texas Health and Human Services Commissions grant, Strengthening Families Program (SFP) that began at the first of September and will be in place for a full five year cycle.  Sites for the program include selected elementary and middle school campuses in Houston ISD, Spring Branch ISD, Spring ISD and Aldine ISD.  Families are referred by counselors and Communities in Schools staff.  They are also recruited at school events like Open House Night, Coffee with the Principal and school fairs. The aim is to strengthen family resiliency skills at a crucial time of development for young adolescents.

SFP offers sessions for six to ten families per group over a ten week session at each site.  The sessions are held during the school year and in the summers at community center sites. Participating children and their parents meet separately for an hour, have a break and snack time together and then reassemble for a combined group of children and adults for an additional hour.  These groups are led by two separate facilitators. The topics change from week to week and include research and skill -based lessons: the daily practice of complimenting the good and elimination of harsh criticism; making family rules and reward systems for good behavior; creating family traditions, learning about and engaging in social services available in the community; learning how drugs and alcohol hijack the brain; problem solving through win-win negotiations and pre-problem solving to stay out of trouble and many other beneficial family techniques.  The vocabulary used is age appropriate and the overall intention is to build resiliency in children and families enabling them to reach their full potential, one of Santa Maria’s overriding goals.

We are pleased to introduce our staff recently hired to lead SFP. Please help us welcome Luz Daris Mosquera who holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work and a Master’s of Science in Community Education and Development and Luz Nelly Barrera with her Bachelor’s in Social Work. They serve as our facilitators and program leads.  Both Ms. Mosquera and Ms. Barrera came to us after distinguished service at Escape Family Resource.  They work directly with Teresa Garcia, Senior Director of Intervention and Prevention Services, expanding the wide array prevention services we offer.

With children facing the introduction of substance experimentation as early as elementary school, this researched-based program goes a long way to build the resiliency of families in many parts of our community.  It is the face of RecovHERy.

Twitter For Good Elevates Houston

One Day -13,000 Volunteer Hours

Last week the city of Houston welcomed about 4,400 Twitter employees (Tweeps) from 35 of their different global offices. They gathered in Houston for one of their “Twitter For Good” staff meetings. They chose to come to Houston because of the resiliency Houstonians showed after Hurricane Harvey.

Together these two groups combined contributed close to 400 volunteer hours to Santa Maria!

Please follow Santa Maria on Twitter, and all other social media platforms that you may be part of. We are also on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.