When listening to teens is the answer

“There are many reasons why students come to us,” says Isai Melgoza, Counselor/Mentor at Por Vida Academy Charter High School.  It doesn’t matter how they get here, whatever their circumstance, how complex their story, we open our doors and invite them in. We offer them support and guidance in a variety of ways--all to make sure these young people earn a high school diploma and plan for a successful future.”

Lead teacher Mrs. Ramones and Raven

Raven was 14 when her son Isaiah Jr. was born. She struggled with missingschool--taking days off to accompany Isaiah to doctors’ appointments and otherchild related responsibilities. “As a result, I ended up getting kicked out ofthe school district, not just the high school I was attending, but the wholedistrict,” Raven Ortegon-Hernandez states. “Thehigh school I was attending at the time didn't bother listening to mysituation, but Por Vida Academy did. So I enrolled at PVA and they understandwhat it is like to have certain situations going on at home.  In additionthey helped me to be able to graduate early at the age of 16 years old. Theyare the only school that has ever listened to my situation and they worked withme the whole way through. Por Vida Academy will not only change your attitudebut it will also change your life.”

Isaiah Jr.

"At Por Vida Academy I can go at my own pace,”say Isaiah Ramirez, Isaiah Jr.’s father, also a PVA student. “The student toteacher ratio is smaller so it’s easier to get help and understand thesubjects. I have struggled in school ever since I was little and here I ammoving up from freshman to sophomore and I’m only halfway through the schoolyear. Por Vida Academy is the best school I have ever gone to."

In addition to working on their academics, Raven and Isaiah participate in youth character development programs Xinachtli (for girls) and El Joven Nobles (for boy) and together in Raising Children with P.R.I.D.E. (Purpose, Responsibility, Interdependence, Development, Enthusiasm a program supporting teen parents.

For more than 23years, Por Vida Academy Charter High School (PVA) has helped thousands of young women andmen earn high school diplomas and prepare for college. This unique San Antoniocharter school continues to specifically and intentionally meet the varyingeducational and emotional needs of teens on the verge of permanently droppingout of school. Powerful, life-changing education is happening here.

Blessed Sacrament Academy Beneficiaries – Together We Can Dance

I like to call beneficiaries to our Blessed Sacrament Academy ministry by another name as well. Whether they contribute time, networking, finances or advice they further our Mission and have become Missionaries in our part of God’s Vineyard.

A generous time donator left me with a delightful story concerning one of her challenges which seems to me to relate to our challenge. “I can learn dance steps half body at a time. I learn the feet and leg movements, then the arm and torso movements and I’m ready to dance. Problem is that I can’t put them together to make my whole-body dance at the same time.” I laugh each time I think of how adept she has been at organizing my office and how puzzled and jerky is her dance.

Our Mission calls us to a ministry which requires us to learn how to reach out in compassion to children vulnerable to the poverty into which they were born. BSA personnel have the head and heart functioning to the Gospel directive of helping those in need. The feet and legs in this dancing comparison need assistance. To provide the education, training, mentoring and networking our children and their families need to move beyond the handicap of believing there is no way out, we ask our BSA Missionaries to assist us with the funding we need, in addition to volunteer time and in-kind resources.

To that effect March 28, 2019, the Big Give SA 24 hours of online giving is on the horizon. We need all of our BSA Missionaries to gather around us and make this one-day event successful in bringing hope to our children through funding needed to extend the hand of care, training, and education. This is an online event. However, our Big Give crew will facilitate other ways of giving. Call 210-532-4731 before or during the Big Give to find out how.

Together we can dance with joy and delight in God’s growing Vineyard. When God is the conductor amazing things happen for us, for you. Please join us in this dance and be amazed at the life of a BSA Missionary. Thank you.

Sister Odilia Korenek, IWBS, CEO

Student finds a path to success at Por Vida Academy

Blue Flores is an engaging, capable young man who found success taking an alternate path for his high school education. A recent graduate of Por Vida Academy Charter High School, he's currently in his second year of studies at Alamo Colleges with plans to transfer to UT Austin for a degree in social work. In the meantime, Flores is volunteering at Blessed Sacrament Academy as an intern at Parents’ Academy.How Flores made this alternate path a personal success is a story indicative of many students who find themselves, for any number of reasons, at Por Vida Academy. Flores was in his junior year at Brackenridge when a combination of negative situations, both in school and family related, lead to his departure.  “I felt lost, alone and extremely vulnerable,” said Flores. After a few months at Por Vida Academy, he realized the staff was on his side. “The teachers and mentors basically picked me up off the floor by helping me set goals, encouraging me every step of the way.”"It has been a great privilege to see Flores tap into the potential he always had, but not always recognized," said Isai Melgoza, PVA Counselor. "This time last year, he was wrapping up his senior year of high school early. In January 2018 he began his first semester of college. And, after taking the maximum class loads and testing out of some classes, he is a student close to transferring to UT Austin. He went from a student at-risk of dropping out to making us all proud."As a Parents' Academy intern, Flores is being introduced to issues which may affect families under stress. He participates in classroom discussions, helps with marketing Parents’ Academy and assists with other organizational needs.“Having Flores join Parents' Academy as an intern has been a "win-win" situation,” said Kathy Lozano, Parents' Academy Director. “I have seen his skills develop and his confidence increase through the process and projects of Parents' Academy. It has been a pleasure mentoring Blue as he shares his passion for helping others. He is a welcome addition to our team!”For information about Por Vida Academy Charter High School, phone 210.775.1132.

91 Years Old: Still standing, but not standing still

This time last year, Blessed Sacrament Academy was commemorating its 90^th Anniversary. In September ‘16 we held a special event bringing past and present friends, and alumni together for a celebration and appreciation of our founders, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament.As the IWBS Sisters continue to provide leadership and inspiration for all our programs, no one is standing still. During the past year, there have been improvements and measurable growth in all the current programs on campus.The Child Development Center began collaboration with the City of San Antonio providing four new classrooms for Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership serving ages 6 weeks up to 3 years of age. CDC open admission classrooms are currently at capacity enrollment. A new and improved BooFestSA, held in late October ‘16, reached a community-wide audience and was well attended.Since the launch of Parents’ Academy’s new “Positive Discipline Toolbox” workshop in late January 2017, more than 70 parents have attended the eight-week course. In addition, an after-class support group was implemented with a core group of PA alumni who have been meeting on a regular basis.Por Vida Academy Charter High School shared a $54M grant awarded by Youth Empowerment Services, Inc (YES) to four charter districts: George Gervin, Positive Solutions, Southwest Prep and Por Vida Academy. Funding will be used to increase teachers’ salaries to a competitive level promoting teacher retention, so important in building relationships with the students attending the alternative high school.Core Engagement GroupThe Corp Engagement Group, consisting of community and civic leaders, was established in February ‘16 has grown to include eight business/civic leaders who, in sharing our mission with others in San Antonio, have increased our circle of friends, donors and funders. This year we received more than $185K as a result of grant writing and asks, many directly facilitated by Core Group members.Infrastructure DevelopmentIn its 91^st year BSA reached back to experience an archeological dig.  The “diggers” were in search of possible artifacts from older civilizations who lived here before us.  The search, in turn, was precipitated by an increasingly problematic drainage problem at the back of our property, which in turn was caused by drainage from 90 surrounding acres to our “natural flow” territory.  Zika called us to search more diligently for the funds needed to correct this danger to our children.  Reprogramed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money came to our rescue.There was excitement about what the archeological team would find. To the disappointment of several of us, “the site consists of low density lithic debitage, fire-cracked rock and two buried thermal features”.  (taken from official report) The report concluded that this site is not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.  The water detention basin being developed is back on schedule.What’s next? We know God has a plan for us and is in control, therefore we trust Him to provide the means for Blessed Sacrament Academy to continue its vital mission to children, teens and families in our community 

Lighting up lives at Por Vida Academy

Over the past 20 years, Por Vida Academy Charter High School (PVA) has helped several thousand teens, whose educational options were in jeopardy, to earn a high school diploma. But it’s about more than just getting a diploma. PVA teachers and staff excel at motivating these students to make a good life for themselves—something many didn’t know how or even if that could happen. Imagine the school building decorated with a light for every student’s life sparked to success by attending Por Vida Academy. It would be lit up like a giant Christmas tree.Coming from many types of adversity, and yes, sometimes even chaos, students at PVA find a place where teachers, staff, and peers help them understand their worth. “It’s about seeing the potential of each student and encouraging them to go for it,” says Isai Melgoza Student Counselor and mentor.Norma Mancia came to Por Vida Academy in the 9^th grade, already a mother, living at Seton Home under the foster care program. Her parents were immigrants from Central America. “I had heard a lot of negativity from others about what I could expect from life because of my situation,” she said. “But that only motivated me. I didn’t want to disappoint my son who would look up to me. And, I didn’t want to disappoint myself. So I set out to prove them wrong.”Mancia hit the books and the online high school program. She went to summer school earning the maximum credits and took advantage of all the field trips offered. But again, the difference--“It feels like a family here,” said Mancia describing an atmosphere of trust and nurturing. "People are close here, there’s lot of support and one on one help. Sure you have bad days where you need to vent, but Ms. Francko (Principal Loren Franckowiak) and others encouraged me to stay positive.”Mancia entered St. Phillips College at sixteen. She earned Associate Degrees in Liberal Arts and Criminal Justice. She is currently working on a degree in sociology. Between semesters she substitute teaches at PVA, where she has become one of the mentors and motivators.“It’s what you do with yourself,” Mancia concluded. “The support I found at PVA allowed me to reach my goals, and continues to be supportive if and when I need it.”If you or someone you know could benefit from the high school programs at Por Vida Academy Charter School, call the school office 210.532.9161