Thanks to the more than 260 guests that supported Santa Maria’s Inaugural Luncheon, the event was a complete success. Funds raised from the event will go to support the more than 3,300 women and children Santa Maria serves each year.
A New Day Luncheon
Spring 2015
Special Thank You to the BHP Billiton Employees
A special thank you goes out to the BHP Billiton employees who collected monies and brought donations for the women and children at Bonita House. Pictured are Roger Fritz, Finance Manager for Permian Production Unit, BHP Billiton with Cynthia Turner, SMH Director of Operations and Quality Management.
Special Thanks to the Professional Football Players Mothers Association (PFPMA)
Special thanks to the Professional Football Players Mothers Association (PFPMA) for donating toys to the children of Bonita House. Pictured (left to right) are SMH’s Cynthia Turner with NFL Mothers Ms. Dorothy Okung and Ms. Ann Cockwell.
Special Thank You to Green Standards and ExxonMobil
A special thank you to Green Standards and ExxonMobil for their generous furniture donation. We deeply appreciate your continued support! SMH’s Cynthia Turner stops for a “selfie” during the delivery.
Winter 2014
Jersey Spirit Day
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!
