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Good morning, Nune,
You’re in for a heartwarming update in this edition of our newsletter!
We’re shining a light on one of our incredible Board members in a special Q&A that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the leadership guiding Santa Maria forward. We’re also recapping the fun we had at Cheers for Charity. Thank you to everyone who came out to support our mission with a smile (and a pint)!
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we’re sending love to all the moms and caregivers in our community. Your strength inspires everything we do. And finally, we’re so grateful to the foundations that recently supported our work with generous gifts. Your belief in our mission is helping families across Price Hill build stronger futures.
Let’s dive in!
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A Life of Purpose:
Sister Sandy's Story
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Santa Maria Board Member Sister Sandy Howe didn’t take a traditional path to religious life, but every step prepared her to serve others with compassion and care. In this Q&A, she reflects on her journey, her deep ties to Santa Maria, and the meaningful relationships that continue to guide her work today.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background before becoming a Sister of Charity?
Sister Sandy: I’m what you might call a late bloomer. I was born in Michigan and raised Catholic in Kettering, Ohio. I worked in the medical field for 18 years—three jobs at once, actually! Emergency clinic, medical claims filing, and for a doctor. I was busy and active in my church, but in my mid-30s, I realized I felt like something was missing. Then, I went on a Life Awareness Weekend—a retreat for people exploring religious life. That’s when I felt a strong calling. I thought I’d join the Sisters of Charity right away, but they encouraged me to explore other communities first, just to make sure it was the right fit. In the end, I knew this was home.
Q: Where did your ministry work begin?
Sister Sandy: I started teaching 7th and 8th grade religion, but I felt called to live in community, so I moved to Cincinnati and eventually began working at Seton High School. I was there for 12 years. That’s actually where I first partnered with Santa Maria. I’d help connect students to service opportunities, and Santa Maria was one of the organizations we worked with! After that, I was asked to coordinate the Sisters of Charity's Newcomers Transition Program. I had no idea what I was saying yes to—but I knew I was being called to say yes.
During that time, I was also invited to serve on Santa Maria’s board. It gave me a whole new perspective—to see all the programming and the reach of the organization. I also started volunteering when I could. It’s incredible to think that I’m now part of an organization founded by our Sisters, Blandina and Justina Segale — and that Sister Blandina could become a saint in my lifetime. That’s powerful.
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May 11th is Mother's Day (for some of you, this may be your last minute reminder to order those flowers!), and at Santa Maria Community Services, we are privileged to walk alongside so many incredible women, mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures who give everything they have to build better futures for their families.
This Mother’s Day, we honor their strength, their sacrifices, and their love.
At Santa Maria, we don’t take that lightly. We’re here to support mothers at every step, whether it's with early childhood education, parenting supplies, employment coaching, or mental health resources. And while every mom’s journey is different, they all share one thing in common: fierce love and determination.
Click the images below to read some of our recent success stories featuring inspiring moms! ❤️⬇️
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To all the moms in our programs and across Price Hill, thank you. We see you, we celebrate you, and we are here for you.
Happy Mother’s Day from your Santa Maria family. 💐
Special thanks to our community partner organizations, who are working with us on our mission of supporting mothers and families. Click below to learn more about two of them!
Healthy Moms and Babes
Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank
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We’re raising our glass to everyone who came out to support Santa Maria Community Services at Cheers for Charity at West Side Brewing! Because of your generosity, connection, and community spirit, the event was a great success and a whole lot of fun.
Whether you joined us to catch up with friends, enjoy a local brew, or learn more about how Santa Maria uplifts families in Price Hill, you helped make a difference. Thanks to West Side Brewing’s incredible partnership, 20% of sales from the evening are going directly to supporting our programs—and that means more job coaching, youth programming, financial stability services, and early childhood education for our neighbors who need it most.
From all of us at Santa Maria: thank you for coming, thank you for giving, and thank you for believing in our mission. We’re grateful to walk alongside you as we help families build stronger futures one step, one sip, and one story at a time.
Stay connected for more events and ways to get involved!
| | Check out our Facebook page for more photos from the event! | | A Thank You to the Foundations that Contributed in the First Quarter of 2025 | | |
Santa Maria Community Services is pleased to announce the receipt of six generous grants supporting its programs and services during the first quarter of 2025.
Santa Maria was awarded grants by the following foundations for several programs and services:
- Fifth Third Bank’s Stillson Foundation awarded $30,000 for Santa Maria’s Every Child Succeeds program.
- Josephine S. Russell Charitable Trust awarded $40,000 for Santa Maria’s Workforce Development program.
- Pay It Forward/Ingage Partners awarded $1,000 for Santa Maria’s Every Child Succeeds program.
- Ruth J. and Robert A. Conway Foundation awarded $20,000 for the sustainability of Santa Maria’s various programs.
- SC Ministry Foundation awarded funds for Santa Maria’s Promoting Our Preschoolers program.
- Scripps Howard Fund awarded $30,000 for Santa Maria’s Promoting Our Preschoolers program.
These grants will help Santa Maria Community Services continue to make lasting change by being a catalyst and advocate for Greater Price Hill families to attain their educational, financial, and health goals.
| | Thank you to our 2025 Passport to Success | | 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. | | | | |
