At Casa Padre not all of the staff walk on two legs. Eight dogs make up the on-site Emotional Support Team. This program began with an idea from Jeissa Melendez. In addition to her work as a clinician at Southwest Key Programs, Jeissa also specializes in the human-animal bond and volunteers with her therapy dog,...
Marissa began her educational career as a preschool teacher and explored working with elementary and junior high students. During her time as an educator, she learned the value of play at work, positive reinforcement, and how a safe nurturing environment shapes attitudes, socializing, relationships, and educational outcomes.
Over the summer in 2019, Carlos Urtey, a musician and actor, came to Casa Lighthouse to teach youth how to play the guitar....
Nothing brings people together like food and friendship. Southwest Key Programs partnered with Free Arts, a hands-on art programming provider in Phoenix, Arizona, to use the healing powers of the arts to inspire and comfort children in our care. ...
Through many different outlets – music, painting, drawing, acting, dancing and more – children in our care can express themselves, communicate traumatic memories in a safe manner and continue their healing process....
In July, a group of Kansan Mennonites embarked on a learning tour of the U.S. Mexico border. The group visited courthouses, charities and immigrant shelters to gain a better understanding of what immigrants are experiencing when they cross the border....
Their number one job when they come into this facility is to get these kids home. In August, NPR was granted access to tour Southwest Key Program's Houston shelter, Casa Sunzal, which houses up to 223 youth from 16-17 years old. Houston Public Media noted that the shelter was adorned with international flags and bright decorations, similar...
Maya was a shy girl of nearly 18 when she arrived at a Southwest Key shelter in the summer of 2018. Quietly relaying her story to her case manager, she told of the two-year-old daughter back home in Honduras she had to leave behind to seek work in the U.S....