Santa Fe Strong Resiliency Center Opening Wednesday Shared from Mayor Jason Tabor Santa Fe Texas. Photo by Stuart Villanueva courtesy of Galveston Daily News.

Photo by Stuart Villanueva courtesy of Galveston Daily News.

Santa Fe Strong Resiliency Center Opening Wednesday
Long-term community-based services available to those impacted by tragedy
SANTA FE, Texas – May 25, 2018 — The City of Santa Fe is partnering with the Santa Fe Independent School District (ISD) and Gulf Coast Center to open a free community center to support those impacted by the Santa Fe High School shooting tragedy.
To ensure continuity of service, the current Family Assistance Center will transition to the Santa Fe Strong Resiliency Center on Wednesday, May 30. The center will continue to operate at Aldersgate United Methodist Church (13217 FM1764, Santa Fe, TX 77510). The center will be open daily 10 am-7 pm.
The Santa Fe Strong Resiliency Center will be a long-term resource for the greater Santa Fe community and Galveston County, including victims and their families; students, staff and their families; residents; responders; and the public.
“The outpouring of support to the City of Santa Fe and our residents is truly special and we are grateful for those who keep us in their hearts as we recover from this tragedy,” said Santa Fe Mayor Jason Tabor. “Our residents and neighbors have demonstrated a sense of community of which we should be proud.
“We know that Santa Fe residents, those connected to us and many others are dealing with the emotional trauma of this event in a variety of ways. We encourage anyone who needs support to visit the Santa Fe Strong Resiliency Center so that we may continue the healing process together.”
Drawing from other communities’ experiences, the Santa Fe Strong Resiliency Center will serve as a resource and referral hub for anyone impacted by the incident. Partner agencies will provide case management, counseling and spiritual care referrals, training, advocacy and support, legal aid and more. Multiple community partners will help support the center including local, state and nonprofit agencies. Services will evolve with the needs of the community.
For more information, visit www.santafeupdates.com or call 800.595.8069.
COPING AND PREPAREDNESS TIPS
The following are coping and preparedness tips for those impacted by this tragedy.
• Events like this can cause feelings of uncertainty and anxiety since no one knows what could potentially happen next. Remember that this is normal.
• Stay informed but limit media exposure of the events, especially for children.
• Let children talk about their fears and then reassure them about their safety. Talk with them in ways that they can easily understand. Let them guide the conversation; share details only when they ask about them.
• Be patient with yourself and others. It’s common to have any number of temporary stress reactions such as anger, frustration and anxiety.
• Spend more time with family and friends and offer your support.
• Watch for signs of stress in your family, friends and children. Get help from others if needed.
• Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, drink plenty of water and get enough rest.
• To reach out for free 24/7 counseling or support, contact the Santa Fe ISD Crisis Hotline at 800-595-8069.
• Trained mental health professionals are available to talk privately at the Family Assistance Center.
About the City of Santa Fe
Santa Fe is a growing community in the heart of Galveston County, located five miles west of Interstate 45 between Houston and Galveston, offering a rural community free of the congestion of the big city. The city of Santa Fe covers 15.7 square miles with an estimated population of 12,222 people. Visit www.ci.santa-fe.tx.us.
About Santa Fe Independent School District
Santa Fe I.S.D. spans 72 square miles in Galveston County. Located just a few miles off Interstate 45, the district encompasses the city of Santa Fe, parts of League City, Dickinson, LaMarque, Hitchcock and three smaller communities: Alta Loma, Arcadia, and Algoa. Santa Fe I.S.D. is a 5-A district, which serves approximately 4,800 students and is growing at a slow, consistent rate. District staff totals approximately 600 thus providing a student/teacher ratio that averages 17.2/1. The Santa Fe district prides itself on community involvement, dedicated staff members, and its commitment to the students it serves. Visit www.sfisd.org.
About Gulf Coast Center
The mission of Gulf Coast Center is to provide better community healthcare and promote healthy living. One of 39 community centers in the state of Texas, Gulf Coast Center is a governmental entity, governed by a nine-member Board of Trustees appointed by the County Commissioners Court of Galveston and Brazoria Counties. Gulf Coast Center is serving as a partnering agency to assist with coordination of services to promote healing in our community. Visit: www.gulfcoastcenter.org.