July 2013 samm.org

House fire to New Home

30 yearsof overcoming homelessness, and we’re just getting started

FaCTs2013 San Antonio Homelessnesspg. 2

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30TH anniversary ediTion

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On Christmas Day 2012, after Frank and Jessica Valdez and their three children went home to wrap last minute Christmas gifts, Jessica began to smell smoke throughout the house. She thought it was the neighbor’s BBQ and ignored it at first. Shortly after, she walked into the kitchen only to see the entire back of the house on fire.

“I was concerned about my husband,” Jessica said. “He was in the back of the house trying to put the fire out.” Luckily everyone escaped safely, but all of the Valdez’s valuables and possessions were lost.

“I was worried about my kid’s things, because it means a lot to them,” said Jessica, explaining how many of her children’s toys were hers when she was little and could never be replaced.

It was believed that the fire began through defective electrical wiring. Investigators say that it started on one of the rooftop corners and worked its way down into the entire house. “It might have been on fire for a while and we didn’t notice. We were with family all day and only went home for ten minutes before we started smelling it.”

“The day after the fire I felt so hopeless and broken down. I’ve never been homeless before, and it made it even harder that it was Christmas time. Usually when you move into another place, you have all of your things, but we had nothing,” Jessica explained.

The American Red Cross provided the Valdez’s a five-day stay in a hotel. But, at the end of the five days with no prospects for a new home, they had to move in with family. It was then that Frank’s mother called SAMMinistries for help. Filling all requirements, the Valdez family was immediately enrolled in the Rapid Re-Housing Program.

Over a two and a half week period, SAMM began to help the Valdez family replace important documents lost in the fire such as social security cards and birth certificates. SAMM also worked with them in contacting several rental homes within their price range.

Jessica explained that it was difficult to find a home that would completely pass inspection and was big enough for her family. “Because of the fire I was really scared with the electrical wiring and I wanted it to fully pass inspection. SAMMinistries made sure that happened.”

SAMM secured a home suitable for the family and SAMM’s City of San Antonio Rapid Re-Housing Program paid their initial deposit, as well as, the first month’s rent.

On January 13, 2013, less than three weeks after the fire, the Valdez family moved into their new home. Within two months, they no longer needed financial assistance from SAMM.

Because of your help, Jessica says that the Valdez family is returning to a normal life; a feat that could not have been accomplished without SAMMinistries.

The Rapid Re-Housing program is designed to reduce the amount of time people experience homelessness and re-house families into permanent homes. SAMM was able to save the Valdez family from homelessness, and helped them back on their feet in their time of need. It is SAMM’s mission to help, serve, and provide for people in need, and we are proud to have taken part in the Valdez’s new life.

It was a relief that the Rapid Re-Housing Program was able to help. I didn’t feel alone. If I needed help with something, I knew I could call SAMMinistries.

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House Fire to New HomeSAMM SucceSS Story

Founding Congregations

Central Christian First Presbyterian Grace Lutheran Madison Square Presbyterian San Fernando Cathedral St. John’s Lutheran St. Joseph Catholic St. Mark’s Episcopal St. Mary’s Catholic Travis Park Methodist Trinity Baptist

organiZations

City of San Antonio Archdioceses of San Antonio- Archbishop Patrick Flores USAA Foundation

Community members

Mr. Rex & Mrs. Deborah Amini Mr. Ed Cross Mr. Walter Embrey Dr. David Green Gen. Robert Herres, posthumously

Mr. Kevin Moriarity Mr. Bob Martindale Mr. Harvey Najim Dr. George & Mrs. Kym Rapier Dr. Charles Rockwood

Volunteers

The Harte Family USAA Volunteer Group

Each group and individual listed helped create an opportunity for SAMMinistries to serve San Antonians in crisis. I cannot fully express how grateful I am to have had support from each of these members of the SAMM community.

Although we are recognizing the selfless work of some supporters, it should not diminish my gratitude to every person, group and organization who has given of themselves for SAMM. We have not forgotten your support, and neither have the families whose lives you touched.

Thank you for an incredible 30 years!

Navarra R. Williams President and CEO

30th anniVersary honorary Chair: dr. louis Zbinden

During a cold winter morning in 1981, the problems of homelessness were brought into stark perspective for the members of First Presbyterian Church in downtown San Antonio. A homeless man, frozen to death, was found on the church grounds. In response, volunteers started a ministry in the church gymnasium to shelter and care for the growing number of homeless individuals.

By 1983 this program, having gained financial assistance of several downtown churches, was incorporated by 11 downtown congregations into San Antonio Metropolitan Ministry, Inc. (SAMMinistries). From our humble beginnings, SAMM, with the help of many supporters, has grown into a leading nonprofit with the ability to help thousands of families.

In our 30th year of service to San Antonio, we want to give special thanks to some of the countless community members whose support made our success possible.

www.samm.org210.340.0302

SAMMinistries is an interfaith ministry whose mission is to help the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless attain self-sufficiency by offering, with dignity and compassion, shelter, housing, and services. SAMMinistries also provides volunteers opportunities to be renewed and fulfilled as they serve.

SAMMinistries is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization