Santa Maria Urban Ministries

Santa Maria Urban Ministry (SMUM) is an outreach effort of the Diocese of El Camino Real to the low-income residential community immediately south of downtown San Jose. SMUM provides social services (food, clothing, home furnishings, language and skills training and socialization) for its clients. SMUM has immigrant Hispanic clients primarily, although it also has Vietnamese clients. 60% of the clients are children, most living in families with parents who work at low-wage jobs.

The St. Jude's relationship with SMUM dates back to its founding by the Rev. Mitzi Ackerman, a St. Jude's parishioner who was the first woman ordained in the Diocese of El Camino Real. Many from St. Jude's helped Mitzi found SMUM and over the years these and others have volunteered and served on the Board. Today, we contribute parish Outreach funds, and throughout the year parishioners contribute food clothing and other items, which Jim Mangin faithfully transports to SMUM each week. St. Jude's also participates in Santa Maria Christmas, which collects and distributes seasonal gift packages.

Now over 20 years old, SMUM receives funding from a variety of sources-- the Diocesan budget, area churches, individual pledges and grants. But the vibrancy of this organization depends on the efforts of volunteers. More than 60 volunteers help with Santa Maria's verious programs, but more are always needed. Help is needed daytime, afternoons, and evenings for ABC Playtime, computer skills programs for youth and adults, ESL tutoring, and more. For a list of volunteer needs, click here.

Santa Maria Urban Ministry has a critical need for volunteeers. Without new volunteers, its Studio 17 after school program is only open one day a week and the ABC Playtime pre-school program has not opened at all. Three hours a week as a volunteer makes the difference between these programs being available for the wonderful children they serve, or not. Please consider helping these children and the mission of Santa Maria. Contact Jan or Howard Hill (408-973-1457) for more information.