OUR MISSION

Maria Soter cares deeply about children, and our community. After graduating from the University of Utah in Family Consumer Studies with emphasis in Psychology and Child Development, she had the opportunity to hold many roles that advocate on behalf of children and families. 

 However, nothing in her professional experience of serving children and their families would prepare her for the real-life trauma that her own family experienced. In 2006, her second child, Sammy was born, and later that same year, he passed away. His brief time on earth reshaped her life in ways that  she could not imagine and only now, years later, has she begun to understand. To be clear, Sammy’s life was a blessing for her and all who knew him. She remains eternally grateful for the time that he spent in her arms. The loss of their son was a great trauma for her, her husband, thier only daughter at that time, Theadora and for all of thier loved ones.

Trauma and hardship affects us all.  Processing adverse experiences is different for everyone, in particular for children.  Children who experience stressful situations are equipped with few resources in their young tool-box. Children can carry grief with them from their early childhood into their elementary, adolescent, and adulthood experiences. 

Social and emotional needs, along with mental and physical sensetivities require additional classroom accommodations and support. In cases where the social and emotional need is unaddressed, the results are predictable; adverse behaviors, impeded learning, and unsatisfying school experiences and relationships. Research on this topic is vast. However, it is through Maria's  professional career, and lived experience that she has earned, more can-be-done to support our youngest family members with their social and emotional well-being.

The answer is that we, as parents, adults, and educators must create safety for every child so they can learn.

Therefore, it is with the strong memory of her infant son, a love for all children, and the joy in knowing that there is so much more that we can do together to help, that we have founded 

The Sammy Center.