Hello Nune,

I begin this edition of our newsletter with a mix of emotions. Last month, we were saddened to learn about the loss of a dear friend and former Santa Maria board member, Paul Friedmann, but we were also heartened by the outpouring of support and generosity that followed. Paul’s family requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Santa Maria in his honor. Our community came together to honor Paul's memory through numerous donations from his friends and family, reminding us of the lasting impact he had on Santa Maria and the lives he touched. Thank you to the Friedmann family and everyone who made a donation in Paul’s honor. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for your support.

Amidst this bittersweet moment, I'd also like to share an uplifting story that exemplifies the transformative power of Santa Maria’s programs and upholds the values Paul cherished. Click the story below to read about the journey of Aaliyah, a young mother who joined our Every Child Succeeds (ECS) program and went on to complete our Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP). Her story serves as a testament to resilience and determination.

It’s graduation season here at Santa Maria. On June 1st, our Workforce Development program held a graduation ceremony for its participants, which included High School Equivalency graduates and individuals who completed our Work Experience program and our English as a Second Language program. Board member and PNC Vice President, Hammad Siddiqi, was the special guest speaker. Coming up this week, children turning three years old will be graduating from our Every Child Succeeds program. They will then have an opportunity to participate in our Promoting Our Preschoolers (POP) program if they choose to continue with early childhood education. POP graduation for children turning 5 will be held at the end of summer just before they begin Kindergarten.

We have several upcoming events at Santa Maria, including our annual Summer Safety Fest being held this year on June 24, 2023, from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Swingpark in Lower Price Hill. We’re also planning a PreventionFIRST! Block Party in September at our East Price Hill location (3301 Warsaw), as well as our fall Health Fair in October at an all-new location – ARCO Cincy/Price Hill Will (3301 Price Avenue). As I mentioned last month, our events committee is hard at work planning our annual fundraiser now called Passport to Success. Mark your calendar for Thursday, October 5, 2023. Invitations will be sent later this summer.

Please click the story below to delve deeper into Aaliyah's inspiring journey and discover the transformative power of Santa Maria's programs. I hope her story serves as motivation as we continue our collective efforts to empower individuals, families, and communities.

Aaliyah's Triumphant Journey From Pregnancy to Professional Success 

Beginning her journey as a young mother-to-be, Aaliyah actively engaged in the Every Child Succeeds (ECS) program. Throughout the program, she and her son, Amari, displayed unwavering commitment to achieving Amari’s developmental milestones. With the assistance of Santa Maria's Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP), Aaliyah pursued a career as a medical assistant, successfully completing the program and securing stable housing. Despite challenges, she continued to prioritize her son's development, working closely with ECS and medical professionals. Aaliyah's inspiring story showcases the transformative impact of Santa Maria's programs, empowering young parents to achieve their dreams and create brighter futures for themselves and their children.

Celebrating Promotions & Retirement

We're so happy to report that three of our employees received a promotion recently. Jaime Mutter was promoted to Early Childhood Program Director in May. She will now oversee both of our Early Childhood programs, Every Child Succeeds and Promoting Our Preschoolers. Starting this month, Elsy Morales is now a Promoting Our Preschoolers Supervisor. And Hillary Williams will be replacing retiring Santa Maria staff Member, Susan Conrad, as Director of Supportive Services starting next week. We'd like to thank Susan for her 15 years of service to Santa Maria!