Non-Profit Organization (51)
Client to Volunteer: Giving Back What She’s Been Given
Written by Taylor Martin
Juanita Vasquez was referred to SAMMinistries for housing assistance in November 2011 from the Salvation Army. At the time of her referral she was suffering from arthritis, thyroid disease, and fibromyalgia, and functioning at the fifth grade level in both reading and math. Despite setbacks, Juanita worked with SAMM case managers to set goals for herself.
To help Juanita reach self-sufficiency, she was enrolled in SAMMinistries’ On-the-Job Training program. Through work at SAMM’s donation station, Juanita learned valuable skills that can translate across many work environments. Although hesitant to work at first, she quickly became one of the most dependable OJT workers and enjoyed her work tremendously.
However, at the completion of her On-the-Job Training, Juanita was still struggling to find a fulfilling and sustaining job. She loves to work with people, but felt that she needed more skills and knowledge to achieve her goal of self-sufficiency.
With the help of SAMM, Juanita enrolled in courses to become a Certified Nurse Aide, as well as high school equivalency classes. Her path to employment was not easy, and Juanita struggled with the confidence to complete her difficult classes. However, after months of hard work, Juanita received her GED, and completed the Certified Nurse Aide classes. “I completed my goals because of my son, I really want to motivate him,” said Juanita.
Juanita’s outlook on life has never been brighter. Because she was able to fulfill her aspirations, she is now encouraging her son to set and accomplish his education goals as well. “I’ve done something with my life, and my son sees that,” she said.
However, Juanita is not just a SAMM success story; she is now also a volunteer.
“SAMM gave me the help that I needed, and I wanted to give something back. If it wasn’t for SAMM I would be on the street with my son. I needed to do something to return the favor.”
Juanita volunteers at the Donation Station as often as she can, and hopes to continue to volunteer in other areas throughout the ministry. She hopes that her story motivates other people to move forward with their lives despite hardships.
Shannon Yrle has given over 40 volunteer hours to SAMM since December, and isn't stopping there. Shannon spreads her time across multiple SAMM initiatives. And, as a teacher of adult students with cognitive disabilities, she partners with SAMM's donation station to help her students give back to the community and practice job skills.
What made you decide to volunteer with SAMM?
I was looking for volunteer opportunities to expand my skills and experience beyond what I do at work. I work with adult students with cognitive disabilities & some mental illnesses. For those who do not have a strong support system at home or at some point lose that support, there is a good possibility they may become homeless. I chose SAMM specifically because the homeless people I encounter in my own neighborhood often remind me of my students, and I thought it would be a great way to help do my small part.
What’s your favorite part of volunteering with SAMM?
I think I’ve done a little of everything, but my favorite would be working with the kids. They still see the world with such wonder & amazement. It’s a good reminder of how we adults should try to live.
You’ve volunteered over 40 hours with SAMM just since December! Wow! What drives you to give so much back to the community?
We all find ourselves in circumstances where we are in need of help from others. I’ve been very fortunate to always have had that help available to me. I suppose I’m just trying to pull my weight as a member of the community in an effort to not take more than I’ve given.
You have also been bringing some of your adult students to the SAMM Donation Station for job skills training. Tell me a little bit more about that, what made you decide to work with SAMM, and how your students are doing with this program.
I was already volunteering with SAMM on my own when it occurred to me it would be a great place for my students to work also. These are their final years in the public school system, and we focus mostly on community-based instruction at their age level. We do job training at other places like HEB, Walgreens, Macy’s, Meals on Wheels, Food Bank and so on. My students love going to the donation warehouse. It’s an opportunity for them to feel valuable and a true member of their community. The people at the Donation Station have been so nice & accommodating to us. The students also get a kick out of looking at all the unique things people think to donate!
We are so thankful to have volunteers like Shannon, who give endlessly to SAMM. Thank you for sharing your story, Shannon.
Over spring break, teens living at SAMM's Transitional Living and Learning Center spent the week exploring expression through art with San Antonio artist Josh Perez. Watch their week unfold, and learn how SAMM is helping them overcome their self-proclaimed "house"lessness.
Overcome from Aaron Fritz on Vimeo.
Tammi Woodard, MA, CFRE - Chief Development Officer
Written by Blair Ortmann
Tammi joined the fundraising team at SAMMinistries in 2011. Her responsibilities include planning and implementing the fundraising strategy for the ministry whose budget is nearly $7,500,000. Tammi brings more than 22 years of experience in working with nonprofits, which includes successful fund-raising, budgeting and financial analysis, human resource management, staff and board development, team-building, strategic planning, and collaborating with community organizations to coordinate community resources.
Prior to joining SAMMinistries, Tammi was Vice President for Development and Administration at Seton Home in San Antonio. Her previous nonprofit organizations include Connections Individual & Family Services in New Braunfels, The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Annie Malone Children & Family Services, and she has consulted with several other nonprofit foundations and organizations.
Tammi is active in the community both professionally and personally. She is an Alumnus of Leadership New Braunfels, a former Board member of the Mid-Texas Symphony, and a former Board member of the San Antonio Chapter of AFP. She is currently the chair of the CFRE Committee for the San Antonio Chapter of AFP and is a member of the City of San Antonio Headstart Policy Council.
She holds a Master of Arts in Management & Leadership from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Central Missouri located in Warrensburg, Missouri. Tammi is a Certified Fund Raising Professional and an active member of the San Antonio Chapter of AFP.
Tammi can be reached at (210) 321-5631 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
In November 1981, a man was found dead on the steps of First Presbyterian Church. He died from exposure to the elements because he was too poor to afford a place to come in from the cold.
To prevent another such tragedy, Dr. Rev. Louis Zbinden, senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church, called an emergency meeting of nine downtown Protestant and Catholic Churches (the Downtown Ministers Alliance) to start a life-saving ministry. This group of determined people rallied to respond to the cry of the needy. On January 1, 1982, they began offering a safe, warm place for homeless men to sleep in the old USO building owned by First Presbyterian Church.
The first night, 39 men found their way to the newly opened shelter. Volunteers provided a mat on which to sleep, a sandwich, piece of fruit, hot coffee or tea, paper towels and a small bar of soap. Word spread quickly on the streets about the shelter and soon they were serving 100 men each night. As the demand for services grew, so did the support from the community.
The original founding group from the Downtown Ministers Alliance was joined in their mission to help the homeless by San Fernando Cathedral and Trinity Baptist Church. With three ministers serving as the Board of Directors; Louis Zbinden-First Presbyterian; Steve Rode-Christ Lutheran; and Ernie Lantz-Grace Lutheran, San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries was incorporated as a 501(c)3 on August 31, 1983 and signaled the "official" start of a ministry to the homeless best known as SAMMinistries.
Once a month University United Methodist Church unloads a truck full of skateboards, ramps, and, most importantly, helmets at our Transitional Living and Learning Center. As soon as the truck pulls into the driveway, our kids grow excited to get outside, meet the volunteers, and learn new skills.
However, it is apparent that learning to ride a rail or land a jump aren’t the only skills these volunteers are teaching. Through encouragement, cheering, and support, volunteers help the kids believe in themselves and develop greater self-esteem.
“We believe that God loves and wants everyone to enter into a relationship with Him, regardless of what the world thinks about them. . . We were led to offer skating at SAMM because it is a fun activity and simply one of the most portable ways we know how to bring the message of Love and Mercy of Christ to others. We also like to show kids how positive skating is instead of some of the negative images others would like to associate with skateboarding.”-Pastor Kit Tomlinson
We would like to thank the "Skate Church" volunteers from University United Methodist Church!
You've made a difference in the lives of our kids!
2012 Fiscal Year Program Services Report
Below are the statistics representing each of our programs' 2012 fiscal year totals. Fiscal year reporting time periods vary from program to program. The figures shown below are the actual numbers reported for each program based on their individual fiscal 2012 reporting time period.
| Amount Awarded | Total Individuals Served |
|---|---|
| $396,631 | 1783 |
| Residents Served: | Nights of Care: |
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| 1,911 | 276,562 |
| Individuals in Program: | Nights of Care: |
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| 388 | 63,656 |
| All Residents Served: | Successfully Employed/In School: |
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| 117 | 62 |
| Individuals in Program: | Nights of Care: |
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| 92 | 24,909 |
SAMMinistries Program Strategies, Goals, and Evaluations FY13
| GOAL #1: | Increase SAMMinistries’ Involvement, Collaboration, and the Number of Members to Church Convening Groups |
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| GOAL #2: | SAMMinistries’ Annual Conferences |
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| GOAL #3: | Provide Five Spiritual Retreats During 2013 |
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It won't take long!
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Highland View Church of Christ-Tennessee Youth Group blessed SAMMinistries with their service in June. After they went back home, they spoke to their congregation about their "Aha moments!" If you ever thought about volunteering, this is a must see.
But first, you might want to grab a tissue!
Leadership
