“Family Support Day” brings together the community and its leaders

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – The Deerwood Community Center recently held its first Family Support Day with the Texas Familias Council of Montgomery County. With continued growth in the region, small rural communities like Deerwood feel the strain of increases in the county’s population. The Texas Familias Council has partnered with the residents of Deerwood for almost six years.

Maria Baños Jordan, TXFC President, explained the common mission. “Deerwood was an impetus for the creation of the council,” she said. “The community has faced many struggles in its thirty years, but it’s now home to its third generation of American Latino families who pull their resources together to help each other.”

Baños Jordan invited the Conroe ISD Police Dept., Lone Star Family Health Center, Lone Star College- Montgomery, Montgomery County Youth Services, Conroe ISD Newcomers Center, and the Boy Scouts to partake in the event. Each organization explained their hopes and resources to the families present.

Donald Kopnicky of the Lone Star Family Health Center discussed mental health support now available at the clinic, and was joined by outreach representative Lily Garza, who discussed the hiring of a new bilingual counselor to help with the growing mental health needs in the county. Lone Star College Montgomery academic counselors reviewed the many avenues for higher learning at local colleges, and support for Latino families learning to navigate the process of college enrollment.

Conroe ISD Police Chief William Harness was on hand to explain the role of the district’s police department. “We are part of your community, and we want to work together to provide a safe home for your families,” he said. Sergeant Julie Wright and Sergeant Dallas Hardin discussed Kid Chat, youth leadership programs, and community partnerships. Corporal Joel Armstrong and his canine officer partner Fia provided a drug awareness workshop for families. Officer Jose Canizalez, also greeted the families as a new officer in the community.

Sam Roman, Montgomery County Youth Service Counselor, discussed his hopes to outreach through unique programs that provide needed support to many area teens and their families. Local parent Ana Salinas, expressed her support for these efforts. “That’s exactly what Deerwood needs. We need to have positive outlets for our teenagers,” she said. Ms. Liz Rubio, Deerwood Advisor, also shared with Mr. Roman the value of male support figures for area boys and men.

“I couldn’t be more proud to host our great community partners in Deerwood today,” said Baños Jordan. “It’s one important step in our year’s plan to increase the support to families and develop stronger partnerships that go to the heart of our concerns. Deerwood has always been a determined community that works for its future. It’s been my honor to stand with them, and see their successes.”

Baños Jordan also discussed how the Texas Familias Council would be working with the Montgomery County Memorial Library System on an exciting literacy project, and with WoodForest National Bank on a financial literacy program. “Devery Johnson and Melissa Baker from the library, and Maria Osteen and Eyra Tejada of WoodForest, have been tremendous partners for Deerwood. All of these efforts focus on our most treasured assets of family and community,” she said.

The Family Support Day concluded with the community center’s board election. For the first time in its eleven years, the center elected its first female board president, Rosalba Cervantes. Mrs. Cervantes has been one of the strongest volunteers in the community since moving there over twenty years ago. “We are moving forward, starting a new chapter in our community. Our children deserve all of our support,” Mrs. Cervantes said.

For more information on the Texas Familias Council, visit http://www.texaslatinoleadership.com.