Outcomes and Success Stories

Home Child Care Certification

Cynthia's resume can be summed up in three words: she loves children. Her love of children combined with her twelve years experience in the field of early childhood development led to her decision to start her own home child care business. Cynthia likes the freedom and creativity that comes from having her own home child care business. "I like small groups, having my own unique thing I'm doing myself." I am "sensitive to parents who go to school;" "all my parents are going to school right now." School is most important if they are going to be successful.

Cynthia learned about Santa Maria through a workshop that talked about the benefits of provider networks for home child care businesses. The networks offer monthly training and support. It was through Santa Maria's network that Cynthia learned about an opportunity for referrals through Cincinnati State College, which refers parents to home child care providers when their child care center is full. In addition, Cynthia states the provider network is a great place for "sharing ideas and acting silly. Sometimes you can help, sometimes they (other providers) can help you." Joan, Santa Maria's Home Child Care Coordinator, is so "down to earth, honest and fair."

The number one question parents ask when they interview me is "who is going to be here" besides you? They want to know who is going to have access to their children. They want to know their children will be safe.

Bienestar

"All I do is cry, and feel no hope." These are the words of Maria who was referred to Santa Maria by Babies Milk Fund in Norwood. Maria came to Santa Maria depressed and anxious. She did not know what was wrong with her, and she was afraid she might hurt herself.

Maria said she needed to see a doctor, because she was not feeling well, but she was uninsured and did not know where to go for medical attention. She was working part-time and had a son in school. She was very concerned about receiving bills she could not pay. She had just left the father of her son in California, because he was drinking a lot. She was scared and alone; she was afraid of losing her sanity. She wanted someone she could talk to, like a counselor. Through supportive counseling, it became clear Maria needed to be taken to an emergency room for treatment of her depression.

Santa Maria's Maritza Dyer, a bilingual case manager from the Bienestar program, accompanied Maria to the emergency room, as Maria did not speak English. Maritza was her voice in her time of need. Maria was seen, treated and referred to a family doctor. She learned about financial assistance available to her and obtained necessary medication. Through Santa Maria's Bienestar program, she has learned of resources available to her and her child. Maria told Maritza, "God has put you in my path. I have been praying to God to send me someone that could help me."

It has been about a year since we first met Maria. Maritza still remembers taking her to the emergency room and watching her cry, because she did not understand what was happening to her. It is wonderful to see the smile on her face when she comes and visits our office. Maria states, "I can finally sleep at night. I thought I would never survive this depression and look at me now!"

Maria has reunited with her son's father who has relocated to Cincinnati and made significant changes in his life. They are planning to get married in the future. He is working full time and treats Maria with respect. Maria is so thankful for all Santa Maria has done for her through Bienestar that she has asked Maritza to walk her down the aisle at her wedding. It is an honor and a joy to see her happiness!

Jordan Health Program

Andrea Broadnax first heard about the Jordan Health program six years ago. She had experienced a house fire that wiped out everything she owned. The church that helped her to set up housekeeping in the Avondale area told her about the Jordan Health program. Andrea has multiple health problems, not the least of these being asthma. In 1997, the Jordan Health program helped her acquire an air conditioner in order to help her breathe easier. Before she came to the Jordan Health program, Andrea was paying $440 a month in prescription drug costs, making the choice between medicine and other essentials, such as food and rent money, a continual struggle. Today, because of the Jordan Health program, the medications she needs are provided for a fraction of the cost. She loves the fact that they come through the mail, and she is very happy with the prompt delivery. Her comment was, "If I come in on Tuesday, I usually receive them through the mail on either Thursday or Friday."

Andea's eyes have been affected by her health problems so the Jordan Health program provided her with a voucher from the Lenscrafters Foundation helping her to get the glasses she so desperately needed. She says, "Now that I can see, I'm not afraid to go out at night." According to Ms. Broadnax, the Jordan Health program staff has never let her down. The workers and volunteers have always been polite, kind, and never condescending. She says that the Jordan Health program has made an incredible difference in her life, and she prays that it is around for a long time.

Every Child Succeeds

Barely 14 and terrified, Monica was desperate to find help the day she finally called Santa Maria. Her mother had walked out in her family when Monica was only twelve. For two years this very young child tried to live up the role of an adult woman in her home, particularly in caring for her smaller sister while her father worked to support them. She was too young to handle what had been thrown on her shoulders. And, without guidance of a responsible mother, she made her own share of mistakes...tragic mistakes at a very young age.

When Monica called us, she was pregnant. She had no idea where to turn, but somehow she got through to us. Santa Maria was there for this frightened girl. That day, a woman named Barb entered Monica's life. A home visitor in Santa Maria's Every Child Succeeds program, Barb quickly saw that Monica wanted to keep her baby. Working closely with her teenage charge, Barb was impressed as Monica eagerly absorbed every bit of information that came her way. Late in Monica's preganacy, a bad fall resulted in the premature birth of Monica's daughter, Lisa.

At four pounds, six ounces, the tiny infant presented problems that would have challenged a mature woman. Two weeks after the birth, Monica confessed the truth to Barb. She was overwhelmed. She was just beginning to realize that there was much more to taking care of a baby than feeding and changing it. With Barb'a help, Monica worked hard to be a good mother. She made toys and played with Lisa. She was starved for information on Lisa's development. Barb stayed close to Monica, helping her cope with the hard times that come to every new mother-times made even tougher when mom is still a child herself.

Though Lisa celebrated her second burthday last month, the rough times aren't over yet. But mother and daughter have grown so close, and Lisa tests above her developmental age.

Youth Leadership and Development

Gregory was 14 1/2 when his family moved to Price Hill from South Carolina to get ahead in life. Fourteen is a difficult age to experience a move. You are the new kid at school, friends are few, and there is not much to do.

Learning about Santa Maria's Youth Leadership program from his brother helped Gregory keep busy and out of trouble. Wanting to learn about his new neighborhood, have fun in a safe place with friends, and especially grow as a person prompted Gregory to regularly attend Santa Maria's youth group activities.

Santa Maria's group alumni members, with more life experience, spoke to the younger youth about the advantages and disadvantages that life brings you. These talks helped Gregory form values and goals for life. In addition, the youth enjoyed many outside activities. One of Gregory's favorite activities was the field trip to Camp Joy. While there, an excercise with ropes and buckets of water taught him about relationship building, teamwork and the benefits of hard work. His team successfully accomplished their task, even though they didn't believe they could do it at the start.

Gregory, now 19 years of age, is working full time at McDonalds and part time at Circuit City. In his spare time he is working toward an associate degree in computer repair at Cincinnati State College. Other goals on Gregory's list include becoming a preacher, managing a business, getting married, having children and owning his own house. He encourages individuals to attend church with him and loves being a role model to younger kids.

"I woud love to come back and talk to other Santa Maria youth about my experience there. Maybe I can give a kid like me the same sense of responsibility, teamwork, confidence, goals and friendship that I received. I would be giving happiness and friendship back to my community."

Responsibility. Teamwork. Confidence. Goals. Friendship.

These are just a few concepts that Gregory learned about during his experience with the Youth Leadership programs at Santa Maria. Santa Maria's programs go way beyond providing youth with something to do. We teach our young people life skills that help them become stonger, resilient adults. What would happen if today's youth did not have some place to go?

Gregory feels that Santa Maria "gave him the strength and the confidence that he needed to complete high school."

Meals On Wheels