We are pleased to announce that Maria Barquin Sommers, advocate with BCFS Health and Human Service’s Common Thread Project, is a 2019 winner of the San Antonio Business Journal Nonprofit & Corporate Philanthropy Award. This award recognizes people and businesses that have made a difference in the community over the past year.
Maria was recognized and presented with the award during the annual Nonprofit & Corporate Philanthropy Awards luncheon on November 14, 2019. Maria joined Common Thread in 2016 as an advocate who provides case management to survivors of commercial sex trafficking. She was nominated for the award by Sonya Thompson, executive director of the program.
“Maria was actually the first advocate to come on board with Common Thread for the San Antonio location and in her position she has served dozens of survivors of child sex trafficking,” Sonya said. “Maria has been a leader amongst her peers and we are honored to have her as a member of the BCFS Health and Human Services team.”
Maria manages a special team of advocates at Common Thread who specialize in nurturing and connecting with survivors and coordinating their long-term care and recovery including emergency shelter, residential services, vocational training, transitional living and much more.
“I really enjoy helping people to break the cycles of abuse,” Maria said during her video introduction. “The most satisfying thing about my job is creating an environment where survivors can begin to accomplish their goals one at a time.”
Maria was selected as one of a dozen nonprofit workers across San Antonio who were recognized for their service to the community. The ceremony was held at the Events Center at Morgan’s Wonderland and was sponsored by the Najim Charitable Foundation and The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation.
