Two San Angelo Women Help Families Through Difficult Times

Last month, we asked the citizens of San Angelo to nominate individuals whom they considered local heroes. A few citizens came forward and nominated two women who provide the city of San Angelo with their willingness of time and spirit in helping those around them face difficult situations.

Brenda Olivas: Daycare Provider

Brenda Olivas has been serving her community for decades. For the past 30 years, she has maintained an infant daycare out of her home.

Olivas is nearing retirement from child care, so she began searching for other ways to maintain a connection to babies. The idea began in 2014 when she encountered a website that specialized in creating and donating bereavement gowns for babies who unfortunately do not survive. This inspired her to establish the same concept here in San Angelo.

Having the opportunity to work is oftentimes limited for Olivas because she still runs her full-time infant day care; however, she works whenever she has the opportunity.

She began by posting on Facebook and asking people to donate old wedding gowns that would benefit this worthy cause. According to Olivas, the response was immediate. She began receiving dresses from all over the place, including one from Georgia.

“It's gratifying to know people are willing to donate,” Olivas said.

The idea has turned into a community project. People provide their time and energy to making this project a reality. Along with Ms. Olivas creating the gowns, a sewing circle helps her prepare the gowns by taking them apart and cutting patterns out. A local dry cleaner also contributes by cleaning the gowns for free.

Even Ms. Olivas’ former kids have joined in to help with such a worthy cause. One of them donated half of his savings in order to benefit the project. People can help this cause in different ways, from donating dresses to helping to take them apart is a great help, she said.

Creating a single gown can take up to four hours of sewing if everything has been cut out and is ready to be assembled. The small dimensions of the clothing make it a bit of a challenge to assemble the gowns, said Olivas.

Originally, Olivas began creating small gowns that would be used for newborn children. However, an individual contacted her and requested one small enough to fit a premature baby, she realized she would have to modify her sizes. Olivas went on to create wraps for babies who were too small for a gown. She also creates bonnets and flannel diapers.

Ms. Olivas has currently been donating gowns through special requests. Family friends of those people affected usually contact her to obtain a gown that may provide solace in a small way to the families. She has recently been in contact with Shannon and will soon be donating about 15 gowns and other pieces.

Rita Guthrie: Crisis Intervention

For Rita Guthrie, serving her community has always been a priority. During the past 17 years, she has worked hard to provide help to the families of the Concho Valley.

In 1999 she helped start the Tom Green County Sheriff's Crisis Intervention Unit. The unit specializes in providing families the resources and support they need while undergoing situations of family violence.

Mrs. Guthrie obtained her master's in Counseling Psychology while her own kids were in school. She also worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor after her family moved to Salt Lake City.

Guthrie began her career by helping the people of San Angelo nearly 19 years ago as a counselor at a family shelter. Her job is definitely not easy; her unit responds to an average of six calls a week. They collaborate with both SAPD and the Sheriff’s Office. While there are many sad aspects of seeing families undergo this terrible situation, there is a rewarding feeling to see them persevere past the negative and go on to lead violence-free lives.

“[It's rewarding] when I see someone who I have helped years before, and they are living a violence-free life and are happy," Guthrie said.

Victims of family violence often face problems and situations that leave them without a place to go or a plan on what to do next. Providing support for the families also extends to helping victims file Emergency Protection Orders against the perpetrators. Over 127 EPOs were filed last year with the help of the Crisis Intervention Unit; this year there have been 67.

Helping the affected families file protection orders is a vital part of the process, and having the proper training when requesting EPOs is extremely important, especially when dealing with the legal aspect of the documents.

Training new volunteers is also a major part of Guthrie’s job. Being compassionate, sympathetic and understanding to delicate situations of family violence is imperative to carrying out this job. Thanks to that help, Guthrie and her team of volunteers provide families across the county with the necessary tools to overcome hard situations. Guthrie currently oversees 18 volunteers who provide their time to assist their fellow citizens.

The Crisis Intervention Unit is available 24 hours a day, and citizens are welcome to stop by and request assistance or information.