Since 1982, Serving Children and Adults in Need (SCAN) has been serving the Laredo community. SCAN provides services to a wide range of populations such as families experiencing family conflict; youth and children in at-risk situations; youth and adults with substance use disorders; victims of sexual assault and violence; children and adolescents who have experienced a traumatic event; children who have been abused and/or neglected; mother and babies who are experiencing stress; and other populations. SCAN has its main office in Laredo, Webb County, where it offers most of its residential programs including an emergency youth shelter, a transitional living program, and four residential substance use treatment programs.
SCAN continues to serve the community in several other counties with a total of 10 satellite offices along the Texas-Mexico border. SCAN strives to help individuals achieve their full potential and provides empowerment opportunities to help them succeed utilizing best practices and evidence-based interventions that are grounded in the communities’ culture and language. SCAN staff members strive to promote resiliency and long-term recovery.
Keylen was referred to SCAN by a school counselor around May 2021 due to family losses and experiencing family conflict with extended family members. She could not stay with them and found herself homeless. The SCAN case manager went to the school to interview her and immediately placed her at SCAN’s Emergency Youth Shelter. At the shelter, she was provided with residential services, counseling, case management and emergency clothing. The first weeks at the shelter focused on helping her become stable and adjusting to the structure of the shelter. She made the decision to go to school in-person and she was provided with transportation to and from school. She excelled in school. She continues living at the shelter. She graduated from high school this May 2021. She is now working part time with a community leader, who offered her a job. Keylen is now thriving. The shelter was instrumental in giving her the physical and emotional resources she needed for her continued growth and development. Once she turns 18, she will transfer to SCAN’s Transitional Living Program where she can stay long term, go to college, and make a successful transition to adulthood.
Keylen is just one example of the lives you touch when you give to United Way of Laredo. With your support, United Way is able to provide financial resources to agencies like SCAN to ensure they are able to provide programs and services to those in need. For more information on how you can support the United Way of Laredo or any of their network of agencies contact the United Way at uwlaredo@unitedwaylaredo.org or visit their website at www.unitedwaylaredo.org If you are in need of community resources and are not sure where to turn dial 2-1-1 for information on programs and services in available in our community.
