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August 2010 I believe all of us would agree children are delicate and yet resilient at the same time. But where on the swinging pendulum does the child become less resilient and more delicate, or more vulnerable to trauma? That’s a difficult question, with probably hundreds of opinions. I think the simple answer is to always err on the side of caution, safety and nurturance. If all of us just did this, thousands of children every day would be better for it!
July 2010. If you're one to watch the nightly news, pick up the newspaper or read national events from the internet you could easily become overwhelmed by the sheer number of problems our country is facing today. One solution to avoid being overwhelmed is to do something good for someone else. I have the answer for you, assist a child or sibling group that has been abused or neglected by their own family. You will reduce the level of stress you may experience from the world, but more importantly you will be helping a child heal from their own tragedy’s.
June 2010. Did you know that beginning of summer bring smiles, laughter and great memories to the majority of children? Of course you do, but did you also know it brings sadness, hopelessness and despair to many others. Children who are abused and neglected are often removed, relocated and displaced from their family, friends and environments due to no fault of their own at the beginning of summer. The reasons for this are to many to mention here, I’d just like you to know this is an unfortunate reality for hundreds of children every year. Please keep all abused children in your prayers this summer, that despite their situations they will be in safe, caring and nurturing settings this summer.
May 2010. We’ve all been asked in our life, “If you had one wish, what would you wish for?” Well I know I finally have my best answer for that. My wish is there would be no more children who suffer from abuse and neglect, no more children will suffer pain and trauma at the hands of their own caretakers! But we all know wishing is not enough, we have to do something, we have to get involved. Thank you again to all of you who are involved in protecting and taking care of children! Everyone else, I ask for you to contact us to learn how you can help. April 2010. Now is the time to “Accelerate Change.” This month is Child Abuse Prevention month, now is the time to inform everyone you know, everyone who cares, everyone who potentially can help protect a child. Our future does not depend on the end of child abuse – our present does! Let’s start giving every child our “Yes.” Yes I will help you, trust you, love you, support you, value you and protect you!
March 2010. As spring approaches we all would do well to notice the resiliency of creation. No matter what kind of weather winter throws at us new life and new beginnings arrive each spring. The same is true for the resiliency of children. Provide children all the love, nurturance, compassion and belief in them you can and you will experience the miracle of recovery for those who have been harmed or hurt. Please contact St. PJ's if you would like to be part of the miracle!
February 2010. Recently I was reminded how sacred and precious family’s are to all of us. A young boy who spent many years in the care of child protective services tragically lost his life in a freak accident. Before this tragedy occurred he was happy because he was able to reconnect with parts of his family, including hisfather. The details of this youth’s story points out we must work smarter and harder to prevent child abuse and neglect in the first place. And when a child is removed from their home for their own safety the foster care system must work diligently to help that child heal body, mind and spirit while providing the child a sense of belonging.
January 2010. Happy New Year to all of our St. PJ’s supporters, community and interested good souls who desire to helpchildren and put an end to child abuse and neglect. The start of this new year, 2010, is our opportunity to reenergize our passionate commitment to bring “healing of body, mind and spirit” to the children we serve. I pray this year we are able to transform more children’s lives than ever into a place of complete healing and provide inspired hope for their future. Please consider joining us any way you can in making this happen.
December 2009. All of us at St. PJ's Children's Home pray your Christmas season is filled with love, kindness and special memories of family and friends. The children we serve don't have family or friends providing charitable moments - so it is with sincere gratitude I thank our Board of Governors, volunteers, donors and staff for their compassionate, giving hearts. You are making a difference!
November 2009. Happy Thanksgiving to you all! There are small and large reasons to be thankful for no matter how difficult life at times may be. Please take a moment in your day to reflect on one thing you are grateful for – then smile and say something kind to the first person you see. No matter their age, the child side of them will cherish the comment.
November 23, 2009. From Optimistic Day with Ron Graves (OptimisticDay.com). My November 22 Radio Show. This past Sunday, I interviewed several guests, including James Castro of St. Peter St. Joseph's Children's Home in San Antonio, Clayton Cochran, the president of the choir at Fellowship of San Antonio, and Brandon Parrott, with Touchdown for Life. We also learned something about how to achieve the extraordinary from Jo Condrill, a leadership training consultant. To hear the show, click here.
October 2009. It is my honor to welcome you to St. Peter-St. Joseph Children's Home (St. PJ’s). I appreciate you spending time on our website. We are dedicated to helping children “heal body, mind and spirit” while preparing them to be successful in all areas of life. Please visit our website often to learn how we accomplish our goals and consider how you could contribute toward the remarkable positive changes in the children we serve.
Gov. Perry Appoints Five to Task Force to Reduce Child Abuse and Neglect AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry has appointed five members to the Task Force to Reduce Child Abuse and Neglect for terms to expire at the pleasure of the Governor. Pursuant to House Bill 1041 and Senate Bill 2080 of the 81st Legislative session, the task force establishes strategy for reducing child abuse and neglect and for improving child welfare in this state. From our region of Texas is: James Castro of Bergheim is the Executive Director for St. Peter - St. Joseph Children's Home (St. PJ's). He is a former board member of the Texas Chapter of Mental Health America and is a past member of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. He has volunteered for Catholic Television of San Antonio, the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission and numerous Bexar County Children's Diversion Initiatives. Castro received a bachelor's degree from Franciscan University of Stephenville in Ohio and a master's degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from St. Mary's University in San Antonio. He currently holds licenses as a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist.
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