APRIL & MAY  2025

 Spring Into Growth!

The season of renewal is here! Just as flowers bloom, it’s a great time to refresh your perspective and your space—both at home and at work.

Spring Clean Your Life – Top Tips to Declutter:

At Home:

Donate clothes you haven’t worn in a year

Use baskets or bins to keep common areas tidy

Clean one drawer or shelf a day—it adds up fast!

In the Office:

Unsubscribe from unnecessary emails

Digitize paper files when possible

Refresh your workspace with a new plant or photo

In Your Mind:

Take short walks to clear your head

Set boundaries for work/life balance

Practice 5 minutes of mindfulness daily

Creative Ways to Take More Steps  

Walking is one of the most accessible forms of exercise. Its benefits extend beyond physical health—it can also boost your mood and improve mental clarity. If you’re looking to increase your movement, here are a few fun and creative ways to sneak in more steps:

6-6-6 Method: Walk for 60 minutes at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily with a 6-minute warm-up and cool-down. Or try walking for 6 minutes, 6 times a day, 6 days a week.

12-3-30 Workout: Set your treadmill to a 12% incline and 3 mph for 30 minutes. Prefer outdoors? Choose a hilly route or find some stairs!

Fake Commute: Remote workers can create a “commute” by walking for 10 minutes before or after work.

Walk in Place: Do this while on phone calls, watching TV, or waiting for something. Spice it up with high knees, marching, or light weights.

Small steps lead to big results. Be sure to consult your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.

The Impact of Chronic Stress  

Stress in small doses can help us stay alert, focused, and ready to face challenges. But chronic stress—the kind that sticks around long-term—can affect both mental and physical health.

Common effects of chronic stress include:

Anxiety and depression

High blood pressure

Sleep disturbances

Digestive issues

Weakened immune system

If you’re experiencing chronic stress, talk to your healthcare provider or reach out to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). You don’t have to manage it alone.

 

This season, we proudly recognize Shannen Ordonez, Medical Assistant at the I-CARE Clinic, as our Women Who Inspire honoree.

“Shannen has been a huge part of I-CARE’s success. Her passion and commitment to not only our participants but also her team members are unmatched. Thoughtful, reliable, and inspiring—as a mother of three young children—Shannen pushes her team and participants to show up as their best selves every day. She is a truly inspiring woman, and we are thankful for her at I-CARE and across Santa Maria as a whole.”

-Amber Lotsi

 

Thank you, Shannen, for leading with compassion, strength, and consistency.

Nominate a Colleague!

This month, we’re recognizing team members who exemplify our core values of integrity, compassion, respect, and excellence.

📝 Submit your nominations by April 23rd to:
📧 socialcommittee25@santamariahostel.org

Let’s celebrate those who go above and beyond!

Opportunities – Graduation Edition

It's Graduation Season, and we want to celebrate our amazing team and their loved ones!

Are you or a family member graduating this year? Submit a photo and help us spotlight your milestone in our next newsletter and on our staff board!

📅 Deadline: Friday, May 9, 2025
📧 Email to: socialcommittee2025@santamariahostel.org

Please include:

Graduate’s Full Name

School or Program Name

Staff Member’s Name & Department

Let’s recognize these exciting achievements together!

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Available 24/7 for counseling, financial advice, and more.

To learn more about the Lincoln Financial Employee Connect program, visit www.Lincoln4Benefits.com

or www.GuidanceResources.com (user name = LFGsupport; password = LFGsupport1), or talk with a specialist at 888-628-4824.

  A P R I L 

Ofelia Tapia              2-April

Maria Miranda         7-April

A'Sean Beller            10-April

Ashley Davis             13-April

Michele Comeaux   14-April

Ashley Hollimon      15-April

Barbara Page             15-April

LaKeisha Lott              18-April

Madlyn Jones               22-April

Deyonna Flemming     23-April

Nicole Trevino                23-April

M A Y

Kiyana Smith                 1-May

Michelle Sutton              2-May

Lawaynna Domio          5-May

Barasha Bennett           8-May

Michelle Hansford         11-May

Heather Carrier              17-May

Jessica Caver                    24-May

Tuesdey Neal                    26-May

Claudia Helweg               27-May

Chanelle Ferguson          30-May

Jennifer Thomas             31-May

A P R I L 

Elda Reyes                11 years

Keela Bowens          11 years

Jennifer Thomas.    4 years

Tuesdey Neal           3 years

Christina Raglin       2 years

M A Y

Ofelia Tapia                       13 years

Ineasha Dickey                9 years

Jesus Reyes                      7 years

Tiffanye Grisby                 7 years

Ashley Hollimon             8 years

Sharon Lewis                   6 years

Cat Harder                       4 years

Vanessa Morgan            4 years

Chercandra Johnson     3 years

Savannah Adame           2 years

Ruthie D’aunoy                2 years

Gail Horton                        2 years

Jashayla Lott.                    2 years

Kamesha Brown            1 years

Francis Carrillo              1 year

Haley Harvey                1 year

YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION

TO SANTA MARIA IS APPRECIATED. 

STAFF 

Artischa Bradley, Recovery Advocate
Tiara Brown, Detox Nurse
Aquilla McCullough, Medical Technician
Michelle Sutton, Medical Technician
Surely Williams, Recovery Advocate
Angela Miller, Counselor

PLEASE JOIN US IN GIVING THEM A WARM WELCOME TO THESE NEW MEMBERS OF OUR TEAM!

Please talk to your supervisors to make sure you attend the necessary trainings. 

APRIL  23, 2025

 PIAB  at  Bonita House -Conference room

9:00AM

 

APRIL  25, 2025

ANE at Bonita House - Conference Room

8:30AM-12:30 PM

 

MAY 5, 2025

CPR/FA at Bonita House -Conference room

8:30AM-12:30PM

 

MAY 14, 2025

 PIAB at Bonita House -Conference room

9:00AM

 

MAY 23, 2025

   ANE at Bonita House -Conference room

  8:30AM-12:30PM

A P R I L

Tuesday, April 22: Earth Day

M A Y

Thursday, May 1st: National Day of Prayer

Monday May 5: Cinco de Mayo 

Tuesday May 6: National Nurses Day

Wednesday May 7:  National Teacher Appreciation Day

Thursday May 8: National Receptionist Day

Saturday May 10: National Childcare Provider Day

Sunday May 11 Mother’s Day 

Tuesday May 13: National Fentanyl Awareness Day 

Sunday May 18: Armed Forces Day

Friday May 23:  Santa Maria Hostel Day 

Monday May 26: Memorial Day 

Mark your calendars for the next Town Hall Meetings!

We truly enjoyed having you at our first-ever Town Hall and appreciate your presence and participation. We're excited to continue sharing updates and celebrating our progress together, your involvement makes all the difference!

 

📅 Upcoming Town Hall Dates:

Wednesday June 4th

Wednesday September 24th

Wednesday December 3rd

 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Available 24/7 for counseling, financial advice, and more.

To learn more about the Lincoln Financial Employee Connect program, visit www.Lincoln4Benefits.com

or www.GuidanceResources.com (user name = LFGsupport; password = LFGsupport1), or talk with a specialist

at 888-628-4824.

We are excited to announce new internal opportunities at Santa Maria Hostel! Consider taking the next step in your journey right here with us:

- Bilingual Counselor

- Recovery Advocate

- Medication Technician

- Bilingual Van Driver

- Parent Coach

- Recovery Coach

- Integrated Care Clinic (I-CARE) Manager

- Clinic RN

- Outpatient Program Counselor 

- Case Manager – Recovery Coach (STARS)

- Senior Director – Santa Maria Austin

- Residential Program Counselor (Jacquelyn)

Eligibility Requirements
To apply, you must:

Be a current, regular full-time or part-time employee.

Have held your current position for at least one year.

Meet or exceed performance expectations.

Have no counseling or corrective action in the last six months.

Not be on a performance improvement plan (PIP).

How to Apply:

Complete an Internal Job Application (attached and available at the front desk).

Submit the application along with your resume to Human Resources.

Why did the stapler break up with the paper?
It felt too attached.

What’s a coworker’s favorite type of exercise?
Running reports!

Have a joke to share? Send it to the Social Committee and you might be featured in the next newsletter!

Thank You for All You Do

Your compassion, care, and commitment make Santa Maria  a place of hope, healing, and transformation. Let’s keep lifting each other up as we continue this journey together.

 

Follow and engage with Santa Maria on social media.

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