San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Project Heart Helps Vanessa Keep the Beat

Vanessa was referred to the San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (SACADA) Project Heart program by her school counselor because her parents and teachers were worried about her extreme shyness. She also had low self-esteem. Shyness, an issue that SACADA staff encounters year after year, is a factor that may contribute to bullying or the pressures of trying drugs.

The Project Heart program serves children and youth who are at risk and affected by or exposed to substance abuse and other related problems associated with these issues. It is a unique program for 9-12 year old children and enhances the resiliency of over 2,500 local children each year. The Council staff provides the Project Heart program in environments where students feel safe, nurtured, supported and empowered to make decisions that positively affect their future.

Through Project Heart, Vanessa’s self esteem improved when she learned how to value herself by recognizing and being proud of her accomplishments. Because of her shyness, Vanessa also concentrated on friendship—the values of being a good friend and choosing good friends. After completing the Project Heart program, Vanessa’s parents and teachers noted a marked improvement in her self-esteem. More talkative, Vanessa now has the confidence to try new things and meet new people in a healthy and safe way.

This former Project Heart student is now part of the SACADA’s HYPE performing arts group. She works with the group to help teach other children about the dangers of using drugs and how to make healthy choices. Delivering positive messages to the community through song and dance, HYPE showcases talented and artistic youth, like Vanessa, and gives performances at pep rallies, TAKS motivation rallies, Tobacco-Free Kids Day, and other school-related celebrations. Vanessa also participates with a program called Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU) and is trained to educate other youth at community sites and schools.

Project Heart is at the center of Vanessa’s transformation, helping a young girl achieve her own potential while reaching out to help others along the way.

 SACADA, a United Way partner agency, provides prevention and intervention strategies to strengthen families and is actively educating communities about one of its major health problems--use, abuse and addiction to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Each year SACADA serves nearly 110,000 people in Bexar County and across 28 counties in South Central Texas.

The United Way of San Antonio highlighted this accoplishment and is from their September 2011 newsletter.

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