About Family Matters SBC
Family Matters SBC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization,
serving the San Benito County, that works hand-in-hand with
the Social Justice System and community partners.
Our mission is to strengthen families by providing equitable
access to critical services like family visitation, education,
and community support. We believe in fostering resilience,
breaking down barriers, and empowering families to thrive,
even in the face of adversity.
Meet the Founders
Chris Henriques
My name is Chris Henriques, owner and Program Director of Transcend Educational Services (TES), since 2015. TES’s mission is to stop the violence in San Benito County through education and awareness.
I am a Collaborative Health and Human Services Major with Bachelor’s Degrees in Public Health, Social Work, Public Administration/Nonprofit Management, and Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Counseling from California State University, Monterey Bay. I have worked in the field of Prevention for the past 10 years as a facilitator and detox counselor at Janus at Santa Cruz, LiveMoves, and Bright Future Recovery.
After struggling with addiction, domestic violence, and mental health for 25 years, it is my passion and calling to help others like myself heal from these adversities in life. I am contracted with many county, government, nonprofit and for-profit agencies providing educational groups in the San Benito County Community.
Lilly Maggiolo
Lilly Maggiolo is the Executive Director of Ascending Families dba Visit and Exchange Solutions (VES). Lilly has over two decades of experience working with families who have open cases in family, dependency, and probate court.
Lilly holds an M.S. from SJSU, is a professional provider of in-person and virtual supervised visitation as well as exchange services. Lilly exceeds all of the requirements of 5.20 standards for professional providers, is bi-lingual in Spanish, trained as a DV and child advocate. VES’s team serves South Santa Clara, San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Cruz Counties since 2006.
VES’s biggest accomplishments to date include being an active California Association of Supervised Visitation Services Providers board member, collaborating with the Judicial Counsel and CASVSP on a special project, contracting with DFCS to provide services for non-reunifying parents, also a member of the First 5 Resiliency Network. and co-founding Family Matters SBC a 501c3 organization. The Family Time Accountability Program (FTAP) facilitates services to inmates at the SBC Jail. Lilly is also a member of Women's Club of Hollister.
Testomonials
I feel compelled to share my deeply personal journey through addiction and the transformative experience I've had with Family Matters, SBC. My life took a challenging turn, leading me to be processed in the San Benito County Jail in Hollister, California, due to my struggle with alcoholism. In the midst of my battle with addiction, the stakes became even higher as my son became entangled in the consequences of my actions. As I faced the possibility of losing him forever, a social worker haunted me with threats of adoption and the prospect of never seeing my son again. Amidst these difficulties, a glimmer of hope emerged when, in December, I learned about a program within the jail aimed at helping dads reunite with their children. Eagerly, I embraced the opportunity and enrolled in the Family Matters program. The support I received from this program was a lifeline during a challenging period. They facilitated video calls, allowing me to maintain a connection with my son. The positive program not only provided educational classes but also empowered me as a father. Completing certain classes earned me certificates of attendance and participation, testaments to my commitment to change. Facing the court, I was granted the chance to continue my fight for family reunification, despite Child Protective Services withdrawing their services. Undeterred, I persevered, working diligently with the assistance of Family Matters SBC. The results have been encouraging, and I'm currently in the process of reuniting with my son. I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the Family Matters program and, in particular, to coordinators Lilly Maggiolo and Christine Henriquez. Their unwavering support and encouragement, manifested through letters emphasizing my son's progress and my persistence, played a pivotal role in my growth. To those facing similar challenges, I offer this advice: Be constant, hold onto faith, and follow the steps outlined by your coordinators. With determination and support, positive change is possible.