The Flores Settlement Agreement – A Visual Guide
October 19, 2020
Learn the impact and history of the Flores Settlement Agreement and how it affects Immigrant Children's Shelters with this infographic....
Shelters
Why We Use Trauma-Informed Care (And You Should Too)
September 29, 2020
Trauma-Informed Care practices enable Southwest Key Programs to do our best work and truly help children and families thrive....
3 Important Keys to Our Philosophy of Care
September 8, 2020
Learn about a few important keys to our philosophy of care that are present from the moment youth enter our shelter to the day they are unified and leave the shelter....
Alyssa’s Heartwarming History (And Future) Helping Others Heal
July 10, 2020
Six years ago, Alyssa Hernandez spent her evenings assisting immigrants at a local emergency shelter located at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville, Texas. She was the only volunteer at the time with medical experience, helping incoming immigrants to recover from injuries and illnesses after a dangerous journey to the United States. ...
Are You Resilient? Strengthen Your Personal Resilience With These Tips
June 8, 2020
When you think of the word resilience, what comes to mind? Maybe it reminds you of a sturdy material like wood or steel. Or maybe you think about the resilience of groups like certain communities or institutions. Have you ever asked yourself if you’re resilient? Can a single person even be called resilient? ...
SWK Employee Horacio Necoechea Wins “Spirit of Free Arts” Award
May 27, 2020
In February, Horacio Necoechea stood on stage at Free Arts’ annual partner agency conference and accepted the “Spirit of Free Arts” award along with the original artwork Vision by Oliverio Balcells. ...
We Took 3000 Employees Remote in Two Weeks. Here’s How We Did It.
May 26, 2020
It’s March 2020. You know that COVID-19 is hitting the United States and businesses are closing their doors across the country, asking their employees to work from home. You’re going to have to do the same with thousands of staff members at shelters nationwide, including direct care staff who provide treatment for youth in person daily. So how do you do it?...
Our Response to COVID-19
April 9, 2020
These are stressful and difficult times for all of us. We’ve not seen a pandemic like this, one that has moved so quickly and shut down so much of our country and the world. I’m so thankful for the way our team has responded to keep our staff safe and ensure the safety of those...
Thrilling Rites of Passage – Quinceañera Celebration
March 10, 2020
A Quinceañera is a young lady’s 15th birthday celebration – a coming of age tradition in many Latin cultures. In addition to signifying a young woman’s transition into adulthood, Quinceañeras provide a precious opportunity for family and friends to come together and make memories....
The Journey from Shelter to Unification
February 20, 2020
At each of our shelters, we provide a safe, temporary home for unaccompanied minors and work to efficiently determine a safe next step for the minor. Within 24-hours of arrival, a minor is assigned a case manager who collaborates with family members to identify a suitable sponsor for the minor. If a family member can’t...