Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria.
Maria, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I was eight years old, I determined I wanted to be a radio DJ when I grew up. It sounded like so much fun – they were always laughing, got to listen to the coolest music, went to all the hottest clubs and concerts and they only worked four hours a day. I couldn’t understand why not everybody didn’t want to do this! When I graduated high school (John F Kennedy, Edgewood ISD) in 1990, I was set to study Radio, Television, and Film at Texas Lutheran College (now University). That summer, I got a summer job as a Youth Specialist at a non profit called The Downtown Youth Drop In Center. We provided a free summer program for kids 6-18, who lived on the westside. At the end of the Summer, our Executive Director Chauncy Spencer pulled me aside and asked me to stay on even if just for a couple of days a week. I agreed, since Seguin was only 30 minutes away. I wounded up staying for over two years. After that, my mind stayed focused on RTF but my heart desperately missed the kids. So, in 1995, I went to work for Boysville and my 35+ year non profit career began. After Boysville, where I worked as a receptionist for the Thompson Emergency Shelter, I went to work for Boys Town. Boys Town was, and still is, a well oiled machine and I learned everything I know about non profit leadership from them. I walked in to Boys Town as a receptionist with a high school diploma. When I left 20 years later, I had led and built several programs and had not only earned my Bachelor’s Degree but my Master’s Degree as well. In 2022, I received a phone call from my former supervisor at Boys Town asking me to come to SA Youth to help build a program they called SOAR! (See Our Achievemnts Rise!), working with 16-24 year olds who had left their traditional high school before graduating. These young adults needed a second chance and I was being asked to build the program that offered that to them. So, I got to work doing research on SA Youth. SA Youth had gone through different name changes throughout the years but it started out in 1984 as The Downtown Youth Drop In Center. I accepted the job as the SOAR Director and in October, 2023, I accepted the offer to lead the agency as President and CEO of SA Youth. Every day I walk in with the focus and passion of that little 18 year old girl who discovered her purpose at The Downtown Youth Drop In Center.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As in every good story, there were definitely some struggles. I left my job at The Downtown Youth Drop In Center after learning I was going to have a baby and made the decision to drop out of college. I needed a full time job with benefits so I went to work in the for profit world. It was a great experience but my heart longed to be helping those kids. Along the way, I had two more children and went through a painful divorce. All while trying to earn my degrees. My health also took some hits and found myself on the operating table several times. All the while, my mind was on my kids, those I gave birth to and those who became my children. One of my “chosen” children, David, came in to my life when he was 8 years old. As an adult, he suffered from mental health issues and there were little resources for him. He chose to self medicate and in July, 2021, days before his 30th birthday, David lost his life to an overdose in a homeless encampment in Austin. He had been released from prison the day before and hadn’t reached out to me like in previous releases prior to his untimely death. This pain stays with me every day and was the basis for the creation of our Therapeutic Services program and the CALM Clinic at SA Youth. In October, 2022, I lost my biggest fan, my greatest supporter and prayer warrior, my mother. I often find myself seeking her guidance and wisdom when things get rough. The love I feel for David, the life long desire to make my parents proud and my belief that this work is my life’s purpose keeps me focused even on the hard days.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As CEO of SA Youth, I lead a team who provide second chance education to 16-24 year olds who left school before graduating and are now looking for an opportunity to get back on track. When they participate in SOAR!, the students have an opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma, learn life skills, leadership skills and workforce development. We also encourage civic engagement by helping our eligible students to register to vote. We teach lessons about what and/or who is on the ballot and take them to vote, almost all of them for the first time. We also invite elected officials to come speak to the students about their journeys and how they found themselves in office. We participate in the MLK March, as well as the Cesar Chavez March for Justice every year. Most importantly, we teach our students about community and the need to surround yourself with people who want to see you be a better person. We create a safe space where students are met where they are and help them learn the way they learn. Our wait list is always over 100 students deep and we are doing our best to expand services. Our very first class had 10 students. We have grown to serve approximately 150 students a year. That is 150 lives changed because there are people in this world who want to make a difference and are lucky enough to all be under the same roof at SA Youth. We provide mental health services for anyone participating in SOAR and approximately 98% of the students access this resource during programming. We have opened the CALM (Counseling Assistance for Lifestyle Management) Clinic in an effort to help students and their families navigate the public school system to help them stay in school. Also, 100% of our students have a post graduation plan which includes college, military, certifications or workforce. The staff, the students how resilient they are and how determined they are make me so very proud to lead every day.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck. I am a woman of faith and believe firmly that we are all born on purpose with purpose, as my pastor says. Every person I have met, every door that has been opened or closed has led me to my current role. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I do know that right now I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to be doing.
Pricing:
- All of our services are offered free of charge to our students. Insurance is accepted at the CALM Clinic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sanantonioyouth.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayouth
