August 2015
Real People. Real Change.

Family Service Association

of San Antonio, Inc.

Since 1903, we're the family

you can always count on!

 

 

 

 
 



 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Give Us A Dollar...
 
We'll Use 92 cents

 to...  

 

  
Protect A Child
 
Keep A TEEN In School
 
Preserve A MARRIAGE
 
GUIDE A Lost Soul
 
CARE for a Grandparent
 
STOP A Parent's Violence
 
RESCUE An Abused Child
 
CHANGE THE COMMUNITY
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
"GEAR UP"
 
  
FAMILY GEAR IS NOW ON SALE!
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Family Service Association
702 San Pedro Ave.
San Antonio, TX 78212
 
 
  
Send e-news comments to [email protected].

Our mission: Empowering individuals and families to transform their lives and strengthen their community.

Our core values: Respect, Responsiveness, Excellence, Integrity, and Accountability. 

In this issue:

  • Summer Magic at The Neighborhood Place
  • Girls Maker Camp
  • 3rd Annual Best Buy Geek Squad Summer Academy
  • 7th Annual Health and Wellness Back to School Fair
  • Khakis 4 Kids
  • Partner Spotlight!
  • Upcoming Events!

 

Summer Magic at
The Neighborhood Place
Empowering families since 1903.

Empowering Girls in STEAM, Promoting School Success & Strengthening Dads

 

 

Family Service is an agent of change. You can see it in more than 96,000 people every year whose lives are transformed by services that motivate teens, protect children, support seniors and strengthen families. And in the summer, you can see it in the faces of children who reap the benefits of our family-strengthening, people-empowering services. Check out what's happening in the summer of 2015!  

Girls Maker Camp
Proud makers at camp!

At the amazing Best Buy Teen Tech Center at The Neighborhood Place, 20 girls ages 10-15 engaged in cutting edge STEAM learning (Science Technology Engineering Arts Math). The extraordinary three-week camp combined technology and arts/crafts to teach concepts, nurture creativity, advance problem-solving and spur innovative thinking. They learned through exploration, while immersed in a positive peer network. The campers explored the mysteries of electricity, magnets and motors and built innovative designs using their newfound knowledge.

 

This was the first time the Best Buy Teen Tech Center had offered Girls Maker Camp - and it has opened the girls' eyes to the endless possibilities of studies and careers in STEAM fields. The user-friendly learning approach connects them to the wonders of the Best Buy Teen Tech Center, including the recording studio, photography and film, robotics, circuitry, computer design and more.

 

Has it worked? Campers were invited to hang out at the Best Buy Teen Tech Center after the camp ended each day at 1 p.m. The first few days, a handful of girls stayed on. By the end of camp, nearly every camper was charged up with the excitement of learning, taking advantage of the Best Buy Teen Tech Center's many alluring STEAM learning centers.

 

Now that's change! Watch for these girls to do great things!

Campers display their cool tech creations!
3rd Annual Best Buy
Geek Squad Summer Academy
We also owe a HUGE thank you to Best Buy and Geek Squad. The Neighborhood Place hosted the Best Buy Geek Squad Summer Academy for the 3rd year in a row! Over 140 youth were empowered with skills in robotics, 3D printing, music, circuitry and digital citizenship! It was a great two day camp and we all learned something new.



7th Annual
Health and Wellness
Back to School Fair
Kids ready for school at the 2014 Back to School Fair.

For the past 112 years, Family Service has been supporting children, youth, parents and seniors. Because of the support services that Family Service provides, seniors are remaining independent in their own homes; parents are learning the art of positive parenting; children are healing from abuse and neglect and discovering the joy of learning! Education is key and community working together to provide support will empower children to succeed. That's why our 7th Annual Health and Wellness Back to School Fair is so important!

 

Getting kids ready for back-to-school can be a dizzying task for busy parents. And for parents whose pocketbooks are challenged by the costs, it can be overwhelming. That's where Family Service comes in. At The Neighborhood Place, we're cranking up for our 7th Annual "Health and Wellness Back to School" Fair on Saturday, August 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. This year, our partner is Senator Jos� Men�ndez and we are excited to work together to empower and strengthen families.

 

It's happening and it's free! We're expecting 2,500 children, youth, teens, parents, and seniors to come through our doors in search of a full spectrum of goods and services. Kids may receive dental screenings through Cute Smiles 4 Kids; vision screenings and FREE eyewear from VisionWorks; glucose screenings and immunizations courtesy of University Health System and lots of health information from Carelink and other providers. It's a partnership for good health. For a nutritious touch, the San Antonio Food Bank will provide kids with a free breakfast and lunch at the Fair.

 

And when they step into their classrooms in a few weeks, these children will be sporting clean new (or gently used) school uniforms, thanks to our Khakis for Kids program. They'll have fresh school supplies in their NEW backpacks, thanks to all the individuals, businesses and other organizations that have provided these back-to-school necessities. Organizations like The Blue Knights Chapter IV, Alamo City LX Modern Mopar Club, Ancira Auto Group, Flying Circle Bags, United Healthcare and more are generous and fantastic supporters.

 

The Blue Knights and San Antonio Modern MOPAR
 bringing in the backpacks!

 

They'll be entertained, educated, immunized, fed, outfitted and ready to take on the exciting challenges they'll find at school in August. In addition, children and families will also participate in a home improvement project at the Home Depot workshop.

 

So Many to Thank!

We send giant, applause-worthy thanks to all who make this fair such a huge success and a generous boost to the grateful families. We especially thank Senator Jos� Men�ndez, United Healthcare, University Health System, Visionworks, Ancira,
St. Mary's University Staff and volunteers, San Antonio Food Bank, H-E-B, Cute Smiles 4 Kids, San Antonio Police Department, San Antonio Fire Department, Valero, Home Depot and especially the Blue Knights Chapter IV who go beyond the call of duty to continue to support this fantastic event! All of course, ALL of our valuable volunteers! Our families are better and stronger because of YOU!


Join us for all the fun!
Partner Spotlight!
Fathers and sons building a community of trust and understanding.
Children need the love and support of their moms and dads.  It's a critical component for a child's healthy development and success in education and in life.  Family Service loves partnerships that help us strengthen families, and that's what is happening at The Neighborhood Place where one of our resident partners, The Fatherhood Campaign, is doing
trans-formative work.

 

The Fatherhood Campaign focuses on parenting skills and although it is aimed at fathers, it has attracted a strong base of mothers who are also advancing their parenting skills in this program. Some 60% enter the program voluntarily and the remainder are court-ordered referrals. Mentoring and coaching for individuals and groups focus on topics such as character building, parenting, domestic violence, healing wounded spirits and building healthy relationships.

 

Since opening at The Neighborhood Place in 2006, The Fatherhood Campaign has helped 300-400 individuals a year.  It is a program of American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Mission.  Gregory Marshall, Program Coordinator says, "All our work is about healing the spirit ... and we embrace everyone who walks through our doors."

Photos courtesy of American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions.
Khakis 4 Kids
Khakis 4 Kids is entering it's final weekends! If you have not gone to an Old Navy or Cowboy Cleaners to drop-off or purchase a uniform do it soon!
 
Upcoming Events!

7th Annual Back to School Health and Wellness Fair
When: Saturday, August 15th, 9 am - 12 pm
Where: The Neighborhood Place 3014 Rivas St. San Antonio, TX 78228
Hosted by State Senator Jos� Men�ndez and Family Service.
For more information call 210-299-2407

Don Harris and Harvey Najim Golf Classic 4 Kids
When: Monday, October 19th
Where: La Cantera Resort and Golf Course 
For more information visit: www.golf4kidssa.com

Morris Kaye and Sons Furs and Fashion and ME Salon Present: "Out of the Rabbit Hole" A Fashion Experience

Benefiting Family Service 

When: Thursday, November 5th

Where: The Club at Sonterra 

The premiere Fashion Week San Antonio event!  

More information on ticket pricing and purchase to come soon   

  

Lighting of the Smokestacks at the Alamo Quarry Market

When: Saturday, November 7th, 6 pm - 8 pm 

Where: The Alamo Quarry Market 

This event kicks off the Festival of Lights giving season! More information to come soon. 

 
Festival of Lights: An Enchanted Evening
When: Thursday, November 19th

Where: Shriner's Auditorium                      

For ticket information contact 210-299-2409         

Our services to the community are among many programs Family Service offers to strengthen families, transform lives, and change the community. It is what we've been doing  for 112 years. Your gifts in any amount ensure a brighter tomorrow for families in our community. Please send your contributions to Family Service Association, 702 San Pedro, San Antonio, Texas 78212.

or donate here:

 If you have suggestions for future e-newsletters, please send your comments to [email protected].

 

UNITED WAY