St. Mary's Skills Center

06/01/2026

Join us as we celebrate our newest graduates of the Skills Center

05/12/2026

Exciting stuff for our LIFT Program-- LIFT added the Virtual Reality simulators to allow our LIFT students more time on equipment. Students are practicing with real handles and do everything from driving the lift, picking up loads, unloading trailers, putting away loads and other tasks virtually. Our 9 week LIFT program will begin accepting applications again in June.

04/20/2026

CONGRATS GRADS!!! More photos and joy to come... here's a quick video of the ceremony earlier!

04/09/2026

We will be celebrating our newest CK and LIFT graduates on April 20th. We look forward to seeing you there.

02/10/2026

🎉 We’re excited to welcome Juanita to the team as our new Student Support Specialist! With experience in behavioral health and a heart for service, she’ll help facilitate classes and support students throughout their journey. Welcome to the Skills Center Juanita, we're happy to have you! 🩵

02/10/2026

$1 for every drink goes to St. Mary's. If you love Coffee... and you love St. Mary's this is a great chance to give back to St. Marys and get yummy coffee.

Next Friday is Dutch Luv Day! 💙 On February 13, 2026, Dutch Bros Coffee is turning your favorite drinks into hope, growth, and brighter futures! ☕✨

$1 from every drink sold goes to St. Mary’s Food Bank, supporting families in need with programs that build education, skills, and mental, emotional, and physical health.

Swing by your nearest Dutch Bros, sip with purpose, and spread the luv with every drink! 💛

01/23/2026

Please note the change in time for Gema's service on Monday.

01/20/2026

It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that I share the news that we lost a beloved member of our Community Kitchen family this morning. After a prolonged illness, Gema Alaniz, Chef Instructor, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family.

Gema first came to St. Mary’s as a student in the Skills Center Community Kitchen Program. She was an exceptional student; her prior experience and passion for the culinary industry shined bright. She soon joined our instructor team, and since 2014 has been a steady, inspiring presence in our Community Kitchen and Kids Cafe programs.

In 2015, after a brief period supporting the Creative Kitchen, Gema transitioned to Kids Cafe Hot Meals Kitchen. Under her leadership, our students created and prepared more than 1.4 million after school meals for children across the Valley. She trained, mentored, and encouraged more than 1,500 Community Kitchen students. Her lived experience allowed her to connect with the students on a personal level. She shared not just culinary knowledge, but confidence, dignity, and hope for their futures. Gema was an extraordinary example of redemption who loved St. Mary’s and her students deeply.

Gema’s impact on St. Mary’s is lasting and profound. She will be remembered for her warmth and kindness, her deep commitment to our mission, and her unwavering belief in her students. We are incredibly grateful that she chose to share her gifts with us and that she is forever a part of our history.

Please keep Gema’s family, her many students, and her teammates in the Skills Center in your thoughts during this difficult time. She will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

11/24/2025

Skills Center students helping out on Day 1 of St. Mary's Turkey Distribution 🦃📦🧡 YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!!

11/18/2025

It's a full house in the Bistro today for lunch!!