The Good News
February 2020
Express-News TOP STORY:
UT San Antonio Researchers Pilot Ways to Help Youths Deal with Trauma
The Express-News front page story on February 3rd featured "Mindfulness Matters," a UTSA pilot program at Good Samaritan Community Services which teaches youth to overcome the effects of trauma through regulating emotions, managing stress, developing empathy, and building a support system. The story featured Good Sam staff involved with the program and Rihanna, an afterschool youth, whose photos were also included as part of the best visual journalism from Express-New s photographers for the week of February 2-8, 2020.
Philanthropitch San Antonio
Good Sam is one of seven finalists for Philanthropitch San Antonio! Get your ticket to the big event on March 24 at 6pm at the Tobin Center, where Good Sam and the other finalists will pitch to a panel of judges who donate their own money and decide how it should be distributed among the finalists. Attendees at the event can direct their ticket costs to the presenting charities of their choice. Presenters might also receive additional cash awards from corporate sponsors, individual donors and audience awards. The total awards pool for last year's Philanthropitch was over $200,000. Doors will open at 5:30pm and the show will start at 6pm!
YDS Family Night
Valentine's Dance 2020
Our Youth Development Services (YDS) held its Family Night on February 12th with a pizza party and Valentine's Dance. San Antonio School Finder was also available for parents at the event to help families find best fit schools for their children.

The goal of Good Sam's Youth Development Services (YDS) is to help young people ages 6 to 18 acquire the life and academic skills necessary for personal success. Services are open to all families participating in Good Sam's programs. For more information about this program, contact alexis.perez@goodsamtx.org .
PAT Family Night - Valentine's 2020
Parents as Teachers (PAT) also held its Family Night on February 13th with fun Valentine's activities for families. PAT is a free service for parents committed to learning more about their child's development and exploring different ways in supporting their growth. For more information about this program, contact alejandra.chapa@goodsamtx.org .
Mums & Mimosas Recap
Thank you very much to everyone who attended Mums & Mimosas to make it the most successful event yet! We are thankful for our honoree, Judy Gosnell Cavender, our keynote speaker Ali Wentworth, and the generosity of all of our attendees. You can still make a contribution to Good Sam to help us meet our match of $25,000 for Mums & Mimosas - click the link below to make your gift. Thank you again to all for a great event!
YAC Adopt a Beach Volunteer Day
Our Brownsville and San Antonio Youth Advisory Committees volunteered with Adopt a Beach this past weekend to help keep our coastal waters clean. They spent more than three hours helping with the cleanup and then did some fun activities on the beach. We are so proud of all of our students for being great youth leaders in our community. For more information about this program, please contact marcus.jordan@goodsamtx.org .
Our families in our Parents as Teachers (PAT) program recently celebrated their milestone anniversaries of 1+ year with the program. Congratulations on your achievement!
Reserve Your Ticket Now for Mariachis & Margaritas With a View in Wimberley!
Mariachis & Margaritas With a View benefits Camp Good Sam Wimberley and is hosted by Dodie and Dick Scott at their home located at 11030 Mt. Sharp Road, Wimberley, TX. The event will be held Sunday, February 23, 2020 from 3:30-6:00pm. You can purchase tickets to the event by clicking below. Please RSVP by phone at 512.393.9996 or by email to Traci Maxwell at  wimberleybroker@yahoo.com . 
Partnership for Strong Families (PSF) Visit
We were honored to host the Partnership for Strong Families (PSF) Community Collaborations to Strengthen and Preserve Families grant team on their recent visit from Florida to our Good Sam campus. The PSF team saw our programs in action and met with youth from our Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). We are excited about this new partnership and to have had the opportunity to exchange knowledge and insights on best practices and ways we can all strengthen families in our communities.
Successful Families & Children
If you are looking for childcare assistance and are also searching for career preparation and financial literacy classes, please call (210) 732-3776 and ask about the Successful Families & Children program held at the Good Sam campus at 1600 Saltillo Street, SATX 78207. You can also email alejandra.chapa@goodsamtx.org for more information about the program.
Upcoming Events
  • February 23, 3:30pm-6:00p - Mariachis & Margaritas with a View in Wimberley
  • March 6 - YDS Programs Closed
  • March 9-13 - CDS Programs Closed
  • March 13 - All Programs Closed
  • March 24, 6:00pm-9:00pm - Philantropitch SA!
We are so grateful for all of our donors who give to our agency each month. Good Sam relies on the support of compassionate and caring individuals to help provide programs that empower our neighbors.