|
|
Hello!
The leaves are beginning to turn, and fall is reminding us that change can bring something beautiful. Here at Santa Maria, this season of new beginnings feels especially meaningful as we prepare to celebrate some exciting milestones of our own.
In this month’s e-news, we’re celebrating a major step forward for our One Building, Thriving Families capital campaign as we plan to break ground on our new community hub. We're also counting down the final days to Passport to Success: Belonging and sharing five things you may not know about Santa Maria.
As one season gives way to the next, we’re excited for all that’s taking root and all that’s still to come.
| | |
A Major Milestone:
We break ground next week!
| |
Next week, Santa Maria will officially break ground on our new 26,600-square-foot community hub in East Price Hill, marking the start of construction and a major milestone for our One Building, Thriving Families capital campaign.
The new building will bring Santa Maria’s services together under one roof, making it easier for families to connect with support as they work toward their educational, financial, and health goals.
The new facility will include welcoming spaces with interactive activities for young children, private offices for one-on-one coaching, meeting spaces, a computer lab for job searches, schoolwork, and digital access, a walk-through food pantry with market-style shopping, a clothing closet with a small laundry facility, shared space for partner organizations to provide on-site support, a walking trail around the property to promote wellness, and more.
After years of planning and support from our community, this vision is becoming a reality. Next week marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Santa Maria and the families we serve.
|
The Final Countdown to
Passport to Success: Belonging
| |
Santa Maria’s annual fundraiser, Passport to Success: Belonging, is almost here! Join us on Saturday, September 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Western Hills Country Club.
This year’s theme celebrates something everyone deserves: to feel seen, valued, connected, and supported. Guests will enjoy brunch, meaningful stories, raffles, and a silent auction while helping families in Greater Price Hill work toward their educational, financial, and health goals.
WCPO’s Lauren Minor will return as emcee, and beloved Cincinnati community member Teddy Kremer will serve as keynote speaker, sharing his experiences with inclusion, connection, and belonging.
The cutoff is September 14th, so get your tickets now for $75 to $95 before it's too late!
|
Can’t Attend?
Your gift can make an impact and
go twice as far
| |
You can still be part of Passport to Success even if you can’t join us in person. Thanks to a generous donor, gifts made in support of the event will be matched up to $1,000.
That means your donation can have double the impact. A $25 gift becomes $50, a $50 gift becomes $100, and a $100 gift becomes $200 while matching funds are still available. Every gift helps provide tools, resources, and support as program participants work toward the goals they’ve set for themselves and their families. Donate here to double your impact today.
|
| 5 things you might not know about Santa Maria | | Even if you’ve known Santa Maria for years, there may be a few things about us that surprise you! | | |
1. Our name reflects our Italian roots.
Santa Maria was founded in Cincinnati in 1897 by the Sisters of Charity as the Santa Maria Italian Educational and Industrial Home, a settlement house serving Italian immigrants. Our name comes from those beginnings and has remained with us as Santa Maria has grown and evolved alongside Cincinnati families for nearly 130 years.
2. We provide free notary services.
Program participants and neighbors can access free notary services for important documents, helping make one more everyday task a little easier.
3. We help young people build social-emotional skills.
Youth who attend after-school programming at the Joe Williams Family Center build skills like emotional regulation, conflict resolution, communication, and healthy decision-making. In 2025, 216 youth reported feeling better equipped to regulate their emotions.
| |
4. We help families navigate public benefits.
Applying for programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare can be confusing. Santa Maria staff can help eligible families understand their options and work through the application process.
5. Some Santa Maria programs happen right in families’ homes.
Through our Early Childhood Development programs like Every Child Succeeds© and Promoting Our Preschoolers (POP), family support workers meet with parents and young children in their homes, bringing activities, resources, and guidance directly to families. This helps parents build their child’s early learning and development into everyday routines.
For nearly 130 years, Santa Maria has continued to grow and respond to the needs of Cincinnati families. Today, that means offering a wide range of tools, resources, and support to help families work toward greater stability and the goals they set for themselves.
| | |
Thank you to our
Passport to Success: Belonging Sponsors
| | |
Follow us on Social Media to stay in the loop
between our
monthly newsletters!
| | Have a piece of Price Hill Community news to contribute to Santa Maria's Monthly E-News? Let us know here! | | About Santa Maria: Santa Maria Community Services provides essential support to families, offering programs in early childhood development, education advancement, employment assistance, financial stability, youth development, and health and wellness, as well as other supportive services. We empower families to achieve their goals and break the cycles of generational poverty through tailored coaching, resources, and advocacy. Our mission is to be a catalyst and advocate for Greater Price Hill families to attain their educational, financial, and health goals. Our vision is for Greater Price Hill to be a vibrant, thriving, and self-sustaining community. | | | | |
