Santa Maria’s guiding philosophy isn’t what you might expect from a neighborhood ministry. Their executive director says it plainly: The goal is not a longer line at our door. The goal is a shorter one.
That means the work is about building with people — starting with what they bring, and walking alongside them toward where they want to go. ESL classes, VITA tax preparation, youth programs, health screenings. The food and clothing distribution is where a relationship begins. The education, the connections, the community — that’s our real work.
When Louis visits in August, he’ll talk about what that actually looks like — and what your support makes possible. In the meantime, we invite you to visit santamariasj.org and read the stories there. They’re worth your time.