Stronger than ever, after 23 years of service, El Buen Samaritano continues to make a strong impact on the lives of those we serve, putting food on the tables of those in need, providing adult learners with tools that can influence their future employment opportunities, and caring compassionately for the health of thousands of Austin families. It is such transformational impact that gives life to the mission of El Buen Samaritano.
Throughout its history, El Buen Samaritano has been blessed to count on the guidance from various great leaders who have committed themselves to taking the mission of El Buen Samaritano to the next level. This month, we celebrate the first year of my tenure as executive director of El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission, and I am grateful to have the privilege to continue to build a strong foundation of service and take the Mission of El Buen Samaritano to the next level.
This month marks the end of a fiscal year and the near culmination of the transformation El Buen Samaritano has undergone in the last year. In this phase—based on feedback gathered in pláticas or focused conversations with clients last fall—we realigned our programs and services to a more family-focused model of service delivery, providing the tools that adults and children need to be healthy and successful in life while responding to more funding opportunities. Additionally, in an effort to increase the efficiency of our programs, we consolidated the Outreach and Social Services Programs to form part of the newly developed Healthy Living and Human Services Department.
While we were busy realigning programs and services, we managed to accomplish several milestones, among these, an 18-percent growth in the number of children served through our Child Learning Center and the incorporation of a new youth program: Outdoor Kids. The Wallace Mallory Clinic saw a 25-percent increase in the number of patients served as well as the implementation of breast and cervical cancer services, and the addition of a patient navigator. Additionally, we recently launched our new website and celebrated the graduation of Austin’s first group of state-certified promotores de salud or community health workers on September 18, 2010.
As we continue to implement changes with a focused purpose to make a stronger impact on those we serve, I encourage you to remain actively involved in our mission. We are thrilled to host Austin's first-ever Día de la Mujer Latina's Health Fiesta this Saturday, September 25 and are looking forward to our 20th Annual Hands for Hope Thanksgiving Event on Saturday, November 20.
We are thankful for your support and hope that you will continue to honor us with your participation.
Sincerely,
Victor Azíos, Executive Director
El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission
