Holy Family Services began in 1983 when a local Certified Nurse-Midwife at a local clinic discovered that more than 1,000 pregnant women in Hidalgo County lacked any form of prenatal care. Seven years later, Holy Family Services separately incorporated as a nonprofit organization. Through volunteer efforts and generous donations, Holy Family has grown and continues to serve families that lack access to adequate health care, in addition to families that desire to have an out-of-hospital birth.
What started in the Rio Grande Valley as a small clinic is now a nationally recognized model birth center and the oldest one in Texas. Its peaceful facility includes three birthing suites, a clinic, a classroom, a chapel, medical storage rooms, and housing for the many resident staff, volunteers, students, and visitors.
Cielo Strategy Group first met Holy Family Services through the Knapp Community Care Foundation’s (KCCF) nonprofit capacity building program. That work mainly focused on board development and executive coaching. When that project wrapped up, we knew there was still some work to do with their staff and we remained in contact with the Executive Director. Holy Family reached out to Cielo Strategy Group to request support and guidance in building morale amongst the staff team. As trained DISCstyles™facilitators, we created a session designed specifically for the Holy Family team. Each staff member took the DISC assessment and we used those findings to help the staff understand individual behavioral styles, identify the behavioral styles of others, and strategies for more effective communication within the group. Our work with Holy Family this time, was short, and sweet, but the reward was no less. The Executive Director reported back to us that almost immediately, she had observed staff members interacting with others in a more positive manner and that departmental teams were using the skills they learned through our work with them to work more efficiently for the common good.
We are always thrilled to see organizations implement the skills and lessons we teach for a stronger organization and ultimately, a stronger community. Way to go Holy Family Services!
