April 6, 2025 • 32 mins
1st segment: Amber Banda interviews Felipa Solis, Executive Director for El Paso pro Musica. EPPM works to make music accessible to all, primarily in schools, universities, hospitals and senior centers. Their concert "Mike Block Trio" is happening April 12th at the UTEP Fox Fine Arts Center. For more information go to eppm.org
2nd segment: Amber Banda interviews 2 members of Guardians of the Children, Sun City Chapter. Guests are Rigs, Sgt at Arms and Repeat, GOC member on the Public Relations and Outreach Committees. GOC is an internationl non-profit organization of bikers with a mission to help abused children. They talk about their mission as bikers and child advocates, how they handle thsemselves in the courtroom when children have to testify, what they do within the community, and of their upcoming Biker Run which is open to the public. For more information find them on Instagram @GOCSuncity, on Facebook at Guardians of the Children, or find your nearest chapter at Guardiansofthechildren.org
2nd segment: Amber Banda interviews 2 members of Guardians of the Children, Sun City Chapter. Guests are Rigs, Sgt at Arms and Repeat, GOC member on the Public Relations and Outreach Committees. GOC is an internationl non-profit organization of bikers with a mission to help abused children. They talk about their mission as bikers and child advocates, how they handle thsemselves in the courtroom when children have to testify, what they do within the community, and of their upcoming Biker Run which is open to the public. For more information find them on Instagram @GOCSuncity, on Facebook at Guardians of the Children, or find your nearest chapter at Guardiansofthechildren.org
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to El Paso Public Forum, a weekly half hour
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio El Paso for over twenty years,
featuring local news and interviews of interest to our listeners
in West Texas and southern New Mexico. All views and
opinions expressed on this program are those of the host
and guest, and not necessarily those of iHeartRadio Management and
now El Paso Public Forum.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome back to the al Paso Public Forum. I am
your host, Amberbanda, and today we have a very special guest.
We have Felipe Solis, executive director. This time is our
title of al Paso Pro Musica. Felippa, thank you so
much for being here with me today.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
It's wonderful to be here in Good morning everyone, Hello.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Good morning. So we're going to be talking today about
your role a little bit as executive director of El
Paso Pro Musica. Talk about the organization and a very
special event that you have coming up, so al Paso
Pro Musica. I have heard of this organization. I had
no idea they were a nonprofit. So what is this organization?
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Basically, this organization, as you say, is a nonprofit but
designed to make music accessible to all. We're very lucky
that for the last twenty four years, a Grammy Award
winning cellist artistic director Zule Bailey, has dedicated time to
Elpaso to make the community more involved with each other musically.
(01:26):
Collaboration is the key, and so as the artistic director,
and he travels all over the world. He brings some
of the finest musicians in the world to the region.
But all of the musicians who come here are committed
to community engagement and educational outreach, which means, yes, they
will come and perform on the stage, but they will
(01:46):
also take time to help young music students, to help
students just learn about the love of music and music appreciation,
and even do master classes at the UTEP Department of Music.
Everybody's committed to that and we're committed to make a
difference that way. And then we say we're making music matter,
(02:08):
because we're making music matter for a next generation.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Oh definitely, especially that classical music. Because you said that
he was an expert cellist and that he even you know,
does showmanship with the cello, which is hard to do.
It's I mean, if you don't know what a cello is,
it's a very large instrument.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
So yes, and so the idea is that everything is accessible,
everything is easy. He even has a carbon fiber cello
which is actually made of the same material as the batmobile.
So with that said, so cool, it is very cool,
and he can take it to schools, he can take
it outside for outside performances. He has one cello that
(02:44):
was built in sixteen ninety three, that's just a piece
of artwork. But this carbon fiber that's the one that's
the one that gets out. That's the one that if
he's let's say at La Nube and their children who
want to touch the instrument, they can. So it's just
again making music accessible to all. Everyone can feel the
(03:06):
power of music, whether they're musicians themselves, whether they're budding musicians,
or if they're just people who just love the sound
of music.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Now, one of the main themes that I see here
is music for the youth. You've been to these events,
you've been involved with this organization for a while. What
impact do you see it having immediately acutely for the community.
You know, you're out in an event and he's playing
his cello, or there's just another band playing and you
see the kids there. What do you see happening in
that setting that music is doing well.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
What's happening is that we say we have a little
saying that says we provide music to soothe, heel, comfort, educate,
and inspire. So with that said, all of those components
are making a difference, especially amongst our youth, because again
we're trying to make it where it's hands on and
(03:59):
there's not that oh well, classical music is not attainable,
or classical music is you know, Oh no, no, no,
it's it's for everyone. Everyone who wrote music, they had pain,
they had suffering, and there was Beethoven and this one
and that one, and now there's a whole new generation
of composers who are doing the same thing as feeling
their life and passion and pathos through music. And what
(04:21):
we want kids to do is to get excited when
they hear the music. When we go to the Segundo Barrio,
in great schools like the La Fe Cultural Technology Center,
in the Lafe Preparatory School, you know, we love to
see how kids understand what's happening. There were times where
they didn't know what a cello was, they didn't know
what a bo was, they didn't understand the sound that
(04:42):
these instruments can make. And now if we can hit
as many kids as possible, and we try to reach
out to thousands each year, we hope we're making a
difference for our future. Because whether you want a career
in music in the twenty first century or you're just
we've done a great event at the c CTE with
El Paso Independent School District where these are students who
(05:05):
are looking at careers in health sciences and music touches
them and music inspires them, and they understand the dispersion
of money. You can that's what's super important.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
Have list time and they've thought a concert that many
enjoyed the MIA and breaking into like this where it's
more soup.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
No, it's person scientists such that betsymphony has an impact
the development of cancer cells. It's just all these things
that happen with respect to the sounds that an instrument makes.
And that's why if we can change lives through these instruments,
through these amazing performances, then we're doing our job. Especially
(05:49):
when we can, you know, even we try to even
reach out to areas that are high risk, low income
and making sure that kids in these neighborhoods can experience
what a concert's like, what it's like to be there
with live music. That's why I mean, I absolutely am
loving this moment right now because I'm in a radio
(06:12):
station and i haven't been in one in so long,
and I love it because this is real, it's honest,
and it's here. Here's the saying, and I'm going to
translate it, but dance with the ones who brung you.
You know, there's this old Spanish saying that, but you
dance with the ones who brung you. You remember how
(06:33):
early television radio, these were the early days of communication,
and they can't go away because they are important for
all of our lives. And it's important for new generations
to see that this is real. And so that's what's
so wonderful about what we do is bringing it to
a whole new generation and for them to appreciate it
(06:53):
at their level, at their pace, the way they choose
to do so perfect.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
It's real and it's local. And if you're just tuning in.
We have Philippa Solis executive director. This time is her
role on our pro for ol Passo pro Musica. Now
we were talking about ol Passo Pro musica.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
They work to make music accessible to all, primarily in schools, hospitals, UH,
senior centers, so in all of those locations. Like I,
when you were saying that music can have effect on
cancer cells, I thought you were gonna I had no idea.
I thought you're gonna refer to when they put headphones
on your stomach when you're pregnant and then they play
the classical music. You know, music has that healing effect,
(07:36):
and all genres of music are great, but there's something
about classical music where it has that. You know, it's
considered I guess high class, and to bring it to everyone,
make it accessible to everyone, exact, everyone feel like they
can enjoy it. You know, it's not something to be
embarrassed of. It's something that you all can enjoy together.
And you're making it so that it is accessible to
(07:59):
different communities. And that being said, there's a very special
event coming up. I'll let you talk about it. It's
called the Concert for al Paso Pro Musica.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
Mike Block Trio, Mike Block Trio, It's so amazing. Mike
Block is also an amazing cellist who is also a
Grammy Award winner and knows our artistic director very well,
but his trio is super fantastic now for people who
are aware of the classical music scene, and even not
because he's done so much. He works alongside the cellist
(08:32):
Yo Yoma and the Silk Road Project and it's designed
also to make music accessible so everyone can you feel it,
understand it, appreciate it. And so this is going to
be a concert unlike any other because not only are
they going to do a little bit of classical and baroque,
he's gonna take it all school, but he's also going
(08:54):
to delve into bluegrass, Latin jazz and just do a
little bit of everything, just to make the audience feel
at home whatever the genre of music they enjoy. So
it's going to be a little bit of everything. But
also what I appreciate about them too is that again
committed to the community. So they're going to do masterclasses
(09:15):
at UTEP's Department of Music and there we're also we've
got a special thing we do in January, but we're
taking it to the spring and it's called Box Lunch
and it's a free noontime concert at the Old Passo
Museum of Art on Thursdays during our Chamber Music Festival.
But we're doing a special edition, a Friday special edition
(09:35):
on Friday April eleventh at noon. That's free, so you
can get a sneak peak of Mike Block there at
the Old Passo Museum of Art, one of our incredible
collaborations where art and music unite and people can come
in for free at their lunch hour hear a really
special concert. Check out the beautiful museum and just you
(09:58):
know it's it's a you can the best way to
enjoy your lunch hour. So that's going to be happening
on April eleventh, three. And then we have our concert Saturday,
April twelfth, seven thirty pm with the Mic Block Trio
at the UTEP Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall. Tickets are
available at EPPM dot org. And then we also want
(10:18):
to make it available to families and affordable, so all
student tickets, no matter what age of the student, all
student tickets are five dollars awesome.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
So that is going to be at EPPM dot org.
And that event April eleventh, you're just going to be
surrounded by the arts. And that event you said is
free and you can see Mike Block before he performed
from the twelfth. And you know, if you're a parent
hearing this, and you're you know, I'm thinking of my
little one. She loves, you know, Sabrina Carpenter, and she
loves Taylor Swift.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Nothing else.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
I do too, But this is a chance to expose
your child to things that, even if you never really
experience them yourself, it gives them a chance to go
and maybe then I love it. You know, there's a
reason that in the schools they have band and they
have orchestra. Those are the instruments they start out with,
and you know, take them, expose them to these free events,
(11:10):
these events where they might just fall in love with
all those different genres of music you never know.
Speaker 5 (11:15):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
And the art as well, And that's again that collaboration
Alpasimmusem Museum of Art is great. Their exhibits are top notch,
and just their willingness to work alongside an organization like
ours and allow us to bring music to them, it's
really super special. And especially when kids could even better,
that's better.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Oh I love that so again. April twelfth, that's this
Saturday at seven thirty pm UTEP Fox find Arts Recital Hall.
Tickets are available at EPPM dot org and Friday April
eleventh at the Alpaso Museum of Art. That is a
free event. What time is that one on April eleventh, Philippa.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
That's a noon, So that's what we call it, the
play on words with classical by lunch.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
There you go.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
So if you want more information, you can find El
Paso Pro Musica on Facebook at epp M, l Paso
Pro Musica, on Instagram at El Paso Pro Musica and Facebook.
You can find Philippe release on Facebook and Instagram at
Philippa Solese.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
So Philippa, I.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Want to take the last few minutes to ask you
some more personal questions. How does it make you feel
to see the reaction of you know, maybe you're at
the school, you're at the hospitals, you're at the senior centers.
Because music is for all the music.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
Well just Instagram. We're the ones who brought you. No
one will write a little bit end of keep play.
Speaker 6 (12:42):
And rates to the.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Kind of question by second for you, which is not
only what kind of effect do you think music has
and why do you think it's important? But why did
you want to be involved with El Paso Pro Musica
what's your personal story.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Well, again that my growing up in a dance world.
My parents Antonio I grew up in California, so they
were in films in Hollywood and and this and that,
and a lot of Spanish and flamenco, but it was
all There was a lot of classical influence and so
that was my life growing up. And then you always
(13:25):
want to do your own thing, and I did with
broadcasting for many many years, and then I chugged house
the director kids, it's what's the hospitals of Providence? Can
any of and and my Pucha's assault incredible to couple
of these different different Probly was school. He remembered him
(13:49):
going to his school and now he's coming to his
hospital playing for his patients. It was such a wonderful
thing to see. And that's the endgame. That's the success story.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
I love that. That's wonderful. If you want more information
again EPPM dot org. Philippa, it has been an honor
having you in here with me today, Joe me you speak.
Thank you so much for being here.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
Love all your stations.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
Welcome back to the ol Paso Public Forum. I am
your host, Amberbanda, and today we have back two members
from a group very near and dear to my heart,
Guardians of the Children, Sun City Chapter. We have here
with us Riggs. He is the Sergeant at Arms for
Guardians of the Children's Sun City Chapter. Riggs, thank you
for being here with me today.
Speaker 7 (14:39):
Thank you, thank you for having us on.
Speaker 4 (14:40):
And we also have reached another GOC member. He is
on the commit on the Community Outreach and Public Relations Committee. Repeat,
thank you for being here with me as well. Absolutely,
thank you for having us so Guardians of the Children,
Sun City. Why Riggs, do you specifically need the Sun
City next to guard of the Children?
Speaker 6 (15:01):
Then City's our chapter see Guardians of the Children is
a national organization both in the United States and Canada,
so Sun City identifies our chapter here. That's local that
handles the Olpasco ANDAs Cruises area.
Speaker 4 (15:11):
And as sergeant at arms, what's your role with Guardians
of the Children.
Speaker 6 (15:15):
As sergeant at arms, my roe is to maintain and
protect their membership and their kids at our events.
Speaker 7 (15:20):
I got to make sure they're all there.
Speaker 6 (15:21):
I also got to maintain order in the meetings and
pretty much what the sergeant in arms is the guy
that does other stuff that nobody else wants to do.
Speaker 4 (15:28):
The security detail.
Speaker 7 (15:29):
Right, security detail.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
Exactly, and so repeat, I'm going to ask you this
question first and then throw it back at Riggs. What
is Guardians of the Children?
Speaker 5 (15:39):
Absolutely, we're a five o'h one C three that's really
about empowering children and children abuse, whether it's physically, sexually,
all kinds of abuse. We want to make sure we're
there for the children. A lot of people know us
for you know, the bikers that show up at a
core cases for the kids. Let's be honest with you,
(16:02):
that's maybe five ten percent of what we do. We
also do.
Speaker 8 (16:06):
Community events, community outreach.
Speaker 5 (16:09):
We really want to make sure to inform the public
on how to spot and react to child abuse.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
I love it. So it's a nonprofit group of bikers. Riggs,
in your words, what is Guardians of the Children.
Speaker 7 (16:23):
When it comes to the Guardians of children?
Speaker 6 (16:25):
You know, as Repea stated, we are a five oh
one C three nonprofit bark organization. But I'd like to
specify what we're not. We're not vigilantes, we're not sons
of anarchy, we're not law enforcement, We're nothing that. We're
just a group of guys who love to write you
guys and girls who love to write.
Speaker 7 (16:43):
We get together and we help kids.
Speaker 6 (16:45):
Most of us have dealt with child abuse, either first
hand or second hand through a family member, and we
know the dark cloud that exists that comes out of
being a victim of child abuse. So we like to
inspire the kids and show everyone out there that doesn't
define who you are. Come from all walks of life.
We walk together, We stand arm in arm, and we
educate the public to do the same, to empower our kids,
(17:06):
to let them know that that does not define you.
Speaker 4 (17:08):
So you say, you're not vigilantes, you're not law enforcement,
But do you work with law enforcement?
Speaker 6 (17:13):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (17:14):
Okay, so every thing has done kosher, so to speak.
So you know, take me through a process of you
help kids. Now, do you just ride around on your
motorcycles thinking, hey, you know that kid looks abused, or
how does that work? How do you help kids? You
know that he's wearing the football uniform, he's being abused.
(17:36):
How does that work?
Speaker 7 (17:37):
No, No, no, it doesn't. It doesn't work like that
at all.
Speaker 6 (17:40):
Our organization, we have what's called child liaisons. If there's
a child in need or that can benefit from our services,
they reached out to us they reach the child Liaison,
we have an initial meeting with the family to make
sure that you know, they're a good fit for us
and we're a good fit for them. And then once
it's improved and we're going to go forward, we have
what's called an adoption, but it's not a little adoption,
(18:01):
it's a figual adoption. We bring them into organizations. We
call them little Guardians. We give them their own patch
that they can look just like us, and they're invited
to every event that we have. They're invited to every
little organization that we can compart to. They're assigned what
we call pocs is a point of contact and we
make sure we can contact with them on at least
a monthly basis and whatever they're doing, whether it's swim
(18:22):
meets or you know, award ceremonies or going and go
with the court, whatever they need, where they're for them.
Speaker 4 (18:27):
So repeat Riggs mentioned that these little Guardians get a patch.
What is a patch like cabbage patch?
Speaker 3 (18:33):
Though?
Speaker 8 (18:34):
Absolutely, I'll be born happy to explain.
Speaker 5 (18:36):
So a lot of people know patches on the bike
right when you see a biker pull up scene on
their cut that right, and a cut is the best
that they're w right and that patch what it symbolizes
is they're one of us, right, And what the whole
purpose of the patches to help them gain that confidence
(18:59):
to go back into the public to be themselves again right,
to really turn them from that victim to a victor.
So that's one of the big things about the patch
and showing that pride in the patch that we all show.
Speaker 4 (19:12):
So repeat you mentioned that, you know, going to court
when they have to testify as what five to ten
percent really of what you all do? You mentioned community events,
and I want to ask what kind of since that
seems to be more the bulk of what you all do.
What kind of community events are you all involved with?
Speaker 5 (19:32):
Absolutely, we just recently did the PBS Be My Neighbor event.
That was an awesome event that brought out children and
families alike, and that really helps us spread our mission
as well as get to people know, especially in the
Opasso area, where they can find us, how they can
reach out to us, that we're here as a part
(19:54):
of the community to even begin with, right, and that's
what it is to spread aware fareness. In the PBS
event we did recently, we actually had all the children sign.
Speaker 8 (20:06):
This big flyer that said be.
Speaker 5 (20:09):
A buddy, not a bully, and we walked away with
over one hundred and fifty signatures.
Speaker 8 (20:13):
Wow of kids doing.
Speaker 4 (20:15):
That, and that's amazing because you see a big, bad
biker next to Daniel Tiger and it makes them much
more approachable. You know. It's I know you all are
involved with the Motorcycle Coalition and so you go to
biker events. You know, you think sons of anarchy walking
up on the club and whatever, but you all are
except you, Like you said, you need to make yourselves
accessible to the community so they know that you're a resourcer.
(20:37):
So that's why you're part of the PBS events. I
know that you all do presentations in schools and you
know at different you know, Lamente Health and Riggs. The
question I have for you, you know, again, like repeat had said,
going to court is a small It's an important portion,
but it's a small amount of the time done. What
kind of events or what kind of support do you
(20:58):
give the little guardians they are ceremoniously adopted into your organization.
What activities do you do with them?
Speaker 6 (21:05):
Yes, going back to what you said that the court
is only a small percentage of everyone. Because once a
child is ceremonially adopted, the child is with us until
they're no longer child. They're with us until they're eighteen
years of age. So when they're not in court, that's
that's when it's important. And the type of events can
Like I said earlier, it ranges from taking them out
to ice cream or you know, going to one of
(21:27):
their support functions to offer support to let ano they're
not alone.
Speaker 4 (21:31):
So why is it important that you know they have
that support outside of the courtroom.
Speaker 6 (21:36):
It's important to have that support outside the courtroom because
that's life, that's where they interact.
Speaker 7 (21:41):
That's where it changes. A big thing about the courtroom.
Speaker 6 (21:44):
Also that people don't realize is that when these kids
go to court, the family is not allowed to go
and they're with them, So we in turn become their family.
We get to go to these courtrooms too with them.
And in order for them to feel that comfort and
have that trust with us in the court room, it
has to be built outside the courtroom and through conversations
through simple how was your day and what's your favorite color?
(22:07):
Did you see that anime episode? It just something where
the child can understand that we may look you know,
rugged and how we are, but we're.
Speaker 7 (22:17):
Here for them.
Speaker 4 (22:17):
Yeah. Otherwise they're just in a courtroom with another stranger.
And so if you're in there in the courtroom with them,
you know, are you mad dogging the purp are you
persuading the judges? What's going on in the courtroom?
Speaker 7 (22:29):
Quite the contrary.
Speaker 6 (22:30):
We're not allowed to wear any of our insting nets,
we're not allowed to be identified as such.
Speaker 4 (22:34):
Oker's got to dress up.
Speaker 6 (22:36):
It would be when you become a Guardian, you go
through training to handle these courtrooms, how to go in there,
how to stand and then we are not there to intimidate.
Like I said earlier, we're avengel lantings. We are not there.
The sole purpose of our presence is to have that
child know somebody has their back, and our job is
simply to sit there, stand there and be there for
the child.
Speaker 4 (22:55):
Excellent, So repeat Riggs talked about training, and I know
he's been in the Guardians a little bit longer than you,
so it might be fresher in your memory. What kind
of training do you have to go through to become
a patched member of the Guardians.
Speaker 5 (23:08):
Absolutely, on top of the training, we all I know
you can't really see our cuts right now, but we
all have that patch, and that also symbolizes that we've
all been through background check, right And that's another important
aspect to the patch as well, is knowing that we're
all there for a solidified reason we all been background checked.
(23:31):
To give back to the training, it's all about how
to deal with these children. Before becoming a member, I
didn't understand the aspect of triggers and how quickly we
could trigger somebody by something as simple as a room
on our.
Speaker 8 (23:47):
Bike right because of the loud noise.
Speaker 5 (23:50):
So understanding that going through training, understanding what triggers could mean,
understanding how to hold ourselves with value in the courtroom.
So these are all different things that we're getting trained
on and kind of what to notice when we're talking
about abuse. These are all things that we're getting trained
don and it's a constant training. Yes, we go through
(24:13):
an initial training, but we also rely on each other
to up that training throughout our full time with the Guardians.
Speaker 4 (24:20):
So for the members that are a part of Guardians
of the Children, do you all have to be involved
in some kind of therapy or social work to be
able to be a Guardian.
Speaker 8 (24:29):
No, that's a great question.
Speaker 5 (24:31):
We all come from different walks of life, right and
the mission that really brings us together is the children.
Speaker 4 (24:38):
Of course, and of course, like all nonprofits, the two
main things needed for a nonprofit are volunteers and money.
So if you're just tuning in, we have two members
of Guardians of the Children Sun City. We have Rigs.
He is the sergeant at arms because Guardians of the
Children does have a board and we have repeat. He's
also a Guardians of the Children member. He is on
(24:59):
the committee, Community Outreach and Public Relations Committee. So with
that being said, and of course you had mentioned you
know they can't see the cuts. I will be posting
pictures on our Sunday ninety nine point nine, ninety six
point three k Hey and Power No. Two, Instagram and
Facebook as always you can see pictures of Rigs and
repeating the patches and the cuts. But right now we
(25:19):
want to talk about a fundraiser where the community can
get involved and help you all out with funding, because
again you know, nonprofits need two things funding and volunteers.
So Riggs, what is this event coming up? That is
April twelfth.
Speaker 6 (25:34):
On April twelfth, we have what we normally have traditionally
every year is a run. It's an annual run, and
a run is just pretty much you go from spot
to spot, you know, you go to go have have
a beverage at.
Speaker 7 (25:46):
Each place they're there.
Speaker 6 (25:48):
Great, you can't run this year we're gonna do Yeah, no, no,
it's right.
Speaker 7 (25:51):
It's a run.
Speaker 6 (25:52):
It's on your bike. You jump on your bike. You
go from one spot to another spot, enjoy and beverage
at the end. One go to the end. At the
end is full of games and i'll kinds of stuff.
Now this year we're doing a little different. This year
is our tenth anniversary. So we're gonna have one stop.
It's April twelveth Everything starts at noon and it's at
the VFW Post. Let me, I don't want to get
this wrong. Let me let me let me say exactly
(26:14):
what the post is. One O three five fours the
VFW Post one O three five four at ninety one
seventy April twelfth, starting at noon two four, and we're
gonna have drinks, we're gonna have music, we're gonna have food,
we're gonna have tuggle war, we're gonna have drag races
and wait, till you see those, because those are just amazing.
We do charge, you know, fifteen dollars a person and
(26:36):
that does cover food and it will feed you what
you know, Come by, give us a.
Speaker 7 (26:41):
Hand, ask us the questions you want to know who
we are.
Speaker 6 (26:44):
Everything now, since we are a five O one seed
three and we're hosting this event, all the proceeds, one
hundred percent of the proceeds goes straight to our mission.
We don't have any salary to members. No one here,
all of us are volunteers. No one collects a payroll.
Every dollar you give goes straight to the kids, and
it helps.
Speaker 7 (27:02):
It helps pay for.
Speaker 6 (27:03):
The pizzas, it helps pay for the lunches, it helps
pay for the organizations. A lot of people don't understand
that a lot of kids are triggered, they are involved
in certain stuff. So to protect there, to protect our kids,
a lot of the times, what we do is we
rent entire facilities, and events like this make it possible
for us to do this for them, whether it's to
have a facility open, you know, let us come in
(27:25):
and play video games or whatever now before they open,
or to shut down a patio for us. And all
this stuff is not cheap, so events like this make
it possible. It's a way for the community to help
us complete our mission and.
Speaker 4 (27:39):
Repeat for these runs. I know that you've been a
part of a few in the past. Do you need
a motorcycle to participate in these runs?
Speaker 8 (27:46):
Absolutely? Great question.
Speaker 5 (27:48):
The great thing about our runs and this event is
you don't need a motorcycle to participate. Come and support right,
this is a big community event. Yes, there'll be some
bikes there, but I do want to mention something if
you are interested, I'm letting you all know we have
some great giveaways that we're giving away. If you're interested,
(28:09):
please come check it out. This is more than just
the bike event. Yeah yeah, if they truly care about
the children out there, this is the event to go.
We want to make sure, just like Greg said, we
want to be able.
Speaker 8 (28:23):
To continue our mission. Renting out these facilities.
Speaker 5 (28:28):
Again aren't cheap, so you know, we want to make
sure we're providing that safe place for the children, and
this event is an opportunity to help support us do that.
Speaker 4 (28:39):
So again, you don't need a motorcycle to attend this
run and not run like a five k. It's a
motorcycle run, but you can go in your car, as
you know bikers like to say, you can go caging
April twelfth, twelve to fourth the VFW and Post one
zero three five four. So you're also supporting a VFW
by attending this event at ninety one seventy Kanana. And
(29:00):
you know when you were talking about the kids and
everything that's involved there and you're trying to protect their
annonymity with these funds that's being raised, I mean it is.
You know, it's expensive to go out with your own family,
whether you have one or two kids, and then you're
going out with the group. So these funds is going
straight towards these kids. Nobody gets paid and rigs. Are
(29:20):
there any raffle items that come to mind that someone
might want to, you know, show up just to buy
a raffle.
Speaker 7 (29:26):
Ticket for raffle tickets items?
Speaker 6 (29:28):
I believe last I check, we have an AC unit
from Scott's Heating and Cooling up that we're raffling tickets software.
We're going to be selling strips there too. I mean
they have TVs. The prices are amazing. It's not like
you're gonna love the prizes and everything it comes in
the food's gonna be catered also, so there'll be food
they're served. Of course, they have an open bar for
(29:49):
the gentlemen they know, for the older people and then
their spirits. And it's just I invite the puplic to
come out because every year the coalition, the bioker community
come out and support us tremendously and come see what
these bikers are and who they are and see that
we're we're we're not what we portrayed to be on TV.
And it's all great for it's all for the mission,
(30:11):
and then the support come out and give us a
hind definitely.
Speaker 4 (30:14):
So if you want more information on them or on
the event, you can find them on Instagram at goc
sun City, on Facebook at Guardians of the Children's Sun City,
or like you had mentioned, Riggs. This is an international
nonprofit organization, so you can go to Guardians of the
Children dot org and find the chapter nearest to you.
Now repeat, Riggs, We have a couple more minutes left. Repeat.
(30:37):
Is there anything else that you would like to tell
the listening audience.
Speaker 5 (30:40):
Absolutely, one of the biggest joys I feel that we
get out of of our mission. There's times that we
bring in the children through our adoption where they're a
little bit more timid, right reserved and head down, don't
really want to communicate.
Speaker 8 (30:59):
And next thing you know, next time we're meeting with them,
or throughout the whole journey, you see them running up
excited to see you.
Speaker 5 (31:09):
There is nothing I'm even getting chills even talking about it.
That is the mission, right again, turning from victim to victor.
Speaker 8 (31:19):
That is our whole, sole purpose and our.
Speaker 5 (31:22):
Mission to make sure the children come out of this
in a better place.
Speaker 6 (31:28):
I know people out there listening, they see guardians of
the children, they see bikers, they say, oh, everybody, you know,
we love what you do, but they don't really know
what we do. And a lot of people would come
up and say I would love to help you, but
they just don't have the time, they don't have the motorcycle.
I say, come out April twelve. Give us the opportunity
to introduce ourselves. Come out, come meet us, see what
it takes.
Speaker 7 (31:49):
And if you can donate the time like we do
or the stuff that we do, come out. This is
the way you can support us.
Speaker 6 (31:55):
We all know someplace or another kid that needs help
and we just want to reach them.
Speaker 7 (31:59):
And the only way we go.
Speaker 6 (32:00):
That is our bottom Rocker says, don't let your silence
drown up their cries. So come out stand with us,
be the voice for them, and that's how we move
forward as a community.
Speaker 4 (32:10):
Perfect April twelfth, Reich smack dab in the middle of
National Child Abuse Awareness Month, Riggs and repeat, thank you
so much for being here with me today.
Speaker 7 (32:16):
Thank you Embert, Thank you for having us, Thanks for
having us.
Speaker 1 (32:19):
You've been listening to El Paso Public Forum, a weekly
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio El Paso. If you, your
organization or event would like to be featured on an
upcoming program, please email to ep Forum at iHeartMedia dot
com or call us at nine one five three five
one five.
Speaker 8 (32:37):
Four zero zero.
Speaker 1 (32:38):
Tune in again next week for another additional of El
Paso Public Forum. The preceding program was recorded at the
studios of iHeartRadio El Paso.
Welcome to El Paso Public Forum, a weekly half hour
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio El Paso for over twenty years,
featuring local news and interviews of interest to our listeners
in West Texas and southern New Mexico. All views and
opinions expressed on this program are those of the host
and guest, and not necessarily those of iHeartRadio Management and
now El Paso Public Forum.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome back to the al Paso Public Forum. I am
your host, Amberbanda, and today we have a very special guest.
We have Felipe Solis, executive director. This time is our
title of al Paso Pro Musica. Felippa, thank you so
much for being here with me today.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
It's wonderful to be here in Good morning everyone, Hello.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Good morning. So we're going to be talking today about
your role a little bit as executive director of El
Paso Pro Musica. Talk about the organization and a very
special event that you have coming up, so al Paso
Pro Musica. I have heard of this organization. I had
no idea they were a nonprofit. So what is this organization?
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Basically, this organization, as you say, is a nonprofit but
designed to make music accessible to all. We're very lucky
that for the last twenty four years, a Grammy Award
winning cellist artistic director Zule Bailey, has dedicated time to
Elpaso to make the community more involved with each other musically.
(01:26):
Collaboration is the key, and so as the artistic director,
and he travels all over the world. He brings some
of the finest musicians in the world to the region.
But all of the musicians who come here are committed
to community engagement and educational outreach, which means, yes, they
will come and perform on the stage, but they will
(01:46):
also take time to help young music students, to help
students just learn about the love of music and music appreciation,
and even do master classes at the UTEP Department of Music.
Everybody's committed to that and we're committed to make a
difference that way. And then we say we're making music matter,
(02:08):
because we're making music matter for a next generation.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Oh definitely, especially that classical music. Because you said that
he was an expert cellist and that he even you know,
does showmanship with the cello, which is hard to do.
It's I mean, if you don't know what a cello is,
it's a very large instrument.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
So yes, and so the idea is that everything is accessible,
everything is easy. He even has a carbon fiber cello
which is actually made of the same material as the batmobile.
So with that said, so cool, it is very cool,
and he can take it to schools, he can take
it outside for outside performances. He has one cello that
(02:44):
was built in sixteen ninety three, that's just a piece
of artwork. But this carbon fiber that's the one that's
the one that gets out. That's the one that if
he's let's say at La Nube and their children who
want to touch the instrument, they can. So it's just
again making music accessible to all. Everyone can feel the
(03:06):
power of music, whether they're musicians themselves, whether they're budding musicians,
or if they're just people who just love the sound
of music.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Now, one of the main themes that I see here
is music for the youth. You've been to these events,
you've been involved with this organization for a while. What
impact do you see it having immediately acutely for the community.
You know, you're out in an event and he's playing
his cello, or there's just another band playing and you
see the kids there. What do you see happening in
that setting that music is doing well.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
What's happening is that we say we have a little
saying that says we provide music to soothe, heel, comfort, educate,
and inspire. So with that said, all of those components
are making a difference, especially amongst our youth, because again
we're trying to make it where it's hands on and
(03:59):
there's not that oh well, classical music is not attainable,
or classical music is you know, Oh no, no, no,
it's it's for everyone. Everyone who wrote music, they had pain,
they had suffering, and there was Beethoven and this one
and that one, and now there's a whole new generation
of composers who are doing the same thing as feeling
their life and passion and pathos through music. And what
(04:21):
we want kids to do is to get excited when
they hear the music. When we go to the Segundo Barrio,
in great schools like the La Fe Cultural Technology Center,
in the Lafe Preparatory School, you know, we love to
see how kids understand what's happening. There were times where
they didn't know what a cello was, they didn't know
what a bo was, they didn't understand the sound that
(04:42):
these instruments can make. And now if we can hit
as many kids as possible, and we try to reach
out to thousands each year, we hope we're making a
difference for our future. Because whether you want a career
in music in the twenty first century or you're just
we've done a great event at the c CTE with
El Paso Independent School District where these are students who
(05:05):
are looking at careers in health sciences and music touches
them and music inspires them, and they understand the dispersion
of money. You can that's what's super important.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
Have list time and they've thought a concert that many
enjoyed the MIA and breaking into like this where it's
more soup.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
No, it's person scientists such that betsymphony has an impact
the development of cancer cells. It's just all these things
that happen with respect to the sounds that an instrument makes.
And that's why if we can change lives through these instruments,
through these amazing performances, then we're doing our job. Especially
(05:49):
when we can, you know, even we try to even
reach out to areas that are high risk, low income
and making sure that kids in these neighborhoods can experience
what a concert's like, what it's like to be there
with live music. That's why I mean, I absolutely am
loving this moment right now because I'm in a radio
(06:12):
station and i haven't been in one in so long,
and I love it because this is real, it's honest,
and it's here. Here's the saying, and I'm going to
translate it, but dance with the ones who brung you.
You know, there's this old Spanish saying that, but you
dance with the ones who brung you. You remember how
(06:33):
early television radio, these were the early days of communication,
and they can't go away because they are important for
all of our lives. And it's important for new generations
to see that this is real. And so that's what's
so wonderful about what we do is bringing it to
a whole new generation and for them to appreciate it
(06:53):
at their level, at their pace, the way they choose
to do so perfect.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
It's real and it's local. And if you're just tuning in.
We have Philippa Solis executive director. This time is her
role on our pro for ol Passo pro Musica. Now
we were talking about ol Passo Pro musica.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
They work to make music accessible to all, primarily in schools, hospitals, UH,
senior centers, so in all of those locations. Like I,
when you were saying that music can have effect on
cancer cells, I thought you were gonna I had no idea.
I thought you're gonna refer to when they put headphones
on your stomach when you're pregnant and then they play
the classical music. You know, music has that healing effect,
(07:36):
and all genres of music are great, but there's something
about classical music where it has that. You know, it's
considered I guess high class, and to bring it to everyone,
make it accessible to everyone, exact, everyone feel like they
can enjoy it. You know, it's not something to be
embarrassed of. It's something that you all can enjoy together.
And you're making it so that it is accessible to
(07:59):
different communities. And that being said, there's a very special
event coming up. I'll let you talk about it. It's
called the Concert for al Paso Pro Musica.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
Mike Block Trio, Mike Block Trio, It's so amazing. Mike
Block is also an amazing cellist who is also a
Grammy Award winner and knows our artistic director very well,
but his trio is super fantastic now for people who
are aware of the classical music scene, and even not
because he's done so much. He works alongside the cellist
(08:32):
Yo Yoma and the Silk Road Project and it's designed
also to make music accessible so everyone can you feel it,
understand it, appreciate it. And so this is going to
be a concert unlike any other because not only are
they going to do a little bit of classical and baroque,
he's gonna take it all school, but he's also going
(08:54):
to delve into bluegrass, Latin jazz and just do a
little bit of everything, just to make the audience feel
at home whatever the genre of music they enjoy. So
it's going to be a little bit of everything. But
also what I appreciate about them too is that again
committed to the community. So they're going to do masterclasses
(09:15):
at UTEP's Department of Music and there we're also we've
got a special thing we do in January, but we're
taking it to the spring and it's called Box Lunch
and it's a free noontime concert at the Old Passo
Museum of Art on Thursdays during our Chamber Music Festival.
But we're doing a special edition, a Friday special edition
(09:35):
on Friday April eleventh at noon. That's free, so you
can get a sneak peak of Mike Block there at
the Old Passo Museum of Art, one of our incredible
collaborations where art and music unite and people can come
in for free at their lunch hour hear a really
special concert. Check out the beautiful museum and just you
(09:58):
know it's it's a you can the best way to
enjoy your lunch hour. So that's going to be happening
on April eleventh, three. And then we have our concert Saturday,
April twelfth, seven thirty pm with the Mic Block Trio
at the UTEP Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall. Tickets are
available at EPPM dot org. And then we also want
(10:18):
to make it available to families and affordable, so all
student tickets, no matter what age of the student, all
student tickets are five dollars awesome.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
So that is going to be at EPPM dot org.
And that event April eleventh, you're just going to be
surrounded by the arts. And that event you said is
free and you can see Mike Block before he performed
from the twelfth. And you know, if you're a parent
hearing this, and you're you know, I'm thinking of my
little one. She loves, you know, Sabrina Carpenter, and she
loves Taylor Swift.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Nothing else.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
I do too, But this is a chance to expose
your child to things that, even if you never really
experience them yourself, it gives them a chance to go
and maybe then I love it. You know, there's a
reason that in the schools they have band and they
have orchestra. Those are the instruments they start out with,
and you know, take them, expose them to these free events,
(11:10):
these events where they might just fall in love with
all those different genres of music you never know.
Speaker 5 (11:15):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
And the art as well, And that's again that collaboration
Alpasimmusem Museum of Art is great. Their exhibits are top notch,
and just their willingness to work alongside an organization like
ours and allow us to bring music to them, it's
really super special. And especially when kids could even better,
that's better.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Oh I love that so again. April twelfth, that's this
Saturday at seven thirty pm UTEP Fox find Arts Recital Hall.
Tickets are available at EPPM dot org and Friday April
eleventh at the Alpaso Museum of Art. That is a
free event. What time is that one on April eleventh, Philippa.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
That's a noon, So that's what we call it, the
play on words with classical by lunch.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
There you go.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
So if you want more information, you can find El
Paso Pro Musica on Facebook at epp M, l Paso
Pro Musica, on Instagram at El Paso Pro Musica and Facebook.
You can find Philippe release on Facebook and Instagram at
Philippa Solese.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
So Philippa, I.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Want to take the last few minutes to ask you
some more personal questions. How does it make you feel
to see the reaction of you know, maybe you're at
the school, you're at the hospitals, you're at the senior centers.
Because music is for all the music.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
Well just Instagram. We're the ones who brought you. No
one will write a little bit end of keep play.
Speaker 6 (12:42):
And rates to the.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Kind of question by second for you, which is not
only what kind of effect do you think music has
and why do you think it's important? But why did
you want to be involved with El Paso Pro Musica
what's your personal story.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Well, again that my growing up in a dance world.
My parents Antonio I grew up in California, so they
were in films in Hollywood and and this and that,
and a lot of Spanish and flamenco, but it was
all There was a lot of classical influence and so
that was my life growing up. And then you always
(13:25):
want to do your own thing, and I did with
broadcasting for many many years, and then I chugged house
the director kids, it's what's the hospitals of Providence? Can
any of and and my Pucha's assault incredible to couple
of these different different Probly was school. He remembered him
(13:49):
going to his school and now he's coming to his
hospital playing for his patients. It was such a wonderful
thing to see. And that's the endgame. That's the success story.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
I love that. That's wonderful. If you want more information
again EPPM dot org. Philippa, it has been an honor
having you in here with me today, Joe me you speak.
Thank you so much for being here.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
Love all your stations.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
Welcome back to the ol Paso Public Forum. I am
your host, Amberbanda, and today we have back two members
from a group very near and dear to my heart,
Guardians of the Children, Sun City Chapter. We have here
with us Riggs. He is the Sergeant at Arms for
Guardians of the Children's Sun City Chapter. Riggs, thank you
for being here with me today.
Speaker 7 (14:39):
Thank you, thank you for having us on.
Speaker 4 (14:40):
And we also have reached another GOC member. He is
on the commit on the Community Outreach and Public Relations Committee. Repeat,
thank you for being here with me as well. Absolutely,
thank you for having us so Guardians of the Children,
Sun City. Why Riggs, do you specifically need the Sun
City next to guard of the Children?
Speaker 6 (15:01):
Then City's our chapter see Guardians of the Children is
a national organization both in the United States and Canada,
so Sun City identifies our chapter here. That's local that
handles the Olpasco ANDAs Cruises area.
Speaker 4 (15:11):
And as sergeant at arms, what's your role with Guardians
of the Children.
Speaker 6 (15:15):
As sergeant at arms, my roe is to maintain and
protect their membership and their kids at our events.
Speaker 7 (15:20):
I got to make sure they're all there.
Speaker 6 (15:21):
I also got to maintain order in the meetings and
pretty much what the sergeant in arms is the guy
that does other stuff that nobody else wants to do.
Speaker 4 (15:28):
The security detail.
Speaker 7 (15:29):
Right, security detail.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
Exactly, and so repeat, I'm going to ask you this
question first and then throw it back at Riggs. What
is Guardians of the Children?
Speaker 5 (15:39):
Absolutely, we're a five o'h one C three that's really
about empowering children and children abuse, whether it's physically, sexually,
all kinds of abuse. We want to make sure we're
there for the children. A lot of people know us
for you know, the bikers that show up at a
core cases for the kids. Let's be honest with you,
(16:02):
that's maybe five ten percent of what we do. We
also do.
Speaker 8 (16:06):
Community events, community outreach.
Speaker 5 (16:09):
We really want to make sure to inform the public
on how to spot and react to child abuse.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
I love it. So it's a nonprofit group of bikers. Riggs,
in your words, what is Guardians of the Children.
Speaker 7 (16:23):
When it comes to the Guardians of children?
Speaker 6 (16:25):
You know, as Repea stated, we are a five oh
one C three nonprofit bark organization. But I'd like to
specify what we're not. We're not vigilantes, we're not sons
of anarchy, we're not law enforcement, We're nothing that. We're
just a group of guys who love to write you
guys and girls who love to write.
Speaker 7 (16:43):
We get together and we help kids.
Speaker 6 (16:45):
Most of us have dealt with child abuse, either first
hand or second hand through a family member, and we
know the dark cloud that exists that comes out of
being a victim of child abuse. So we like to
inspire the kids and show everyone out there that doesn't
define who you are. Come from all walks of life.
We walk together, We stand arm in arm, and we
educate the public to do the same, to empower our kids,
(17:06):
to let them know that that does not define you.
Speaker 4 (17:08):
So you say, you're not vigilantes, you're not law enforcement,
But do you work with law enforcement?
Speaker 6 (17:13):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (17:14):
Okay, so every thing has done kosher, so to speak.
So you know, take me through a process of you
help kids. Now, do you just ride around on your
motorcycles thinking, hey, you know that kid looks abused, or
how does that work? How do you help kids? You
know that he's wearing the football uniform, he's being abused.
(17:36):
How does that work?
Speaker 7 (17:37):
No, No, no, it doesn't. It doesn't work like that
at all.
Speaker 6 (17:40):
Our organization, we have what's called child liaisons. If there's
a child in need or that can benefit from our services,
they reached out to us they reach the child Liaison,
we have an initial meeting with the family to make
sure that you know, they're a good fit for us
and we're a good fit for them. And then once
it's improved and we're going to go forward, we have
what's called an adoption, but it's not a little adoption,
(18:01):
it's a figual adoption. We bring them into organizations. We
call them little Guardians. We give them their own patch
that they can look just like us, and they're invited
to every event that we have. They're invited to every
little organization that we can compart to. They're assigned what
we call pocs is a point of contact and we
make sure we can contact with them on at least
a monthly basis and whatever they're doing, whether it's swim
(18:22):
meets or you know, award ceremonies or going and go
with the court, whatever they need, where they're for them.
Speaker 4 (18:27):
So repeat Riggs mentioned that these little Guardians get a patch.
What is a patch like cabbage patch?
Speaker 3 (18:33):
Though?
Speaker 8 (18:34):
Absolutely, I'll be born happy to explain.
Speaker 5 (18:36):
So a lot of people know patches on the bike
right when you see a biker pull up scene on
their cut that right, and a cut is the best
that they're w right and that patch what it symbolizes
is they're one of us, right, And what the whole
purpose of the patches to help them gain that confidence
(18:59):
to go back into the public to be themselves again right,
to really turn them from that victim to a victor.
So that's one of the big things about the patch
and showing that pride in the patch that we all show.
Speaker 4 (19:12):
So repeat you mentioned that, you know, going to court
when they have to testify as what five to ten
percent really of what you all do? You mentioned community events,
and I want to ask what kind of since that
seems to be more the bulk of what you all do.
What kind of community events are you all involved with?
Speaker 5 (19:32):
Absolutely, we just recently did the PBS Be My Neighbor event.
That was an awesome event that brought out children and
families alike, and that really helps us spread our mission
as well as get to people know, especially in the
Opasso area, where they can find us, how they can
reach out to us, that we're here as a part
(19:54):
of the community to even begin with, right, and that's
what it is to spread aware fareness. In the PBS
event we did recently, we actually had all the children sign.
Speaker 8 (20:06):
This big flyer that said be.
Speaker 5 (20:09):
A buddy, not a bully, and we walked away with
over one hundred and fifty signatures.
Speaker 8 (20:13):
Wow of kids doing.
Speaker 4 (20:15):
That, and that's amazing because you see a big, bad
biker next to Daniel Tiger and it makes them much
more approachable. You know. It's I know you all are
involved with the Motorcycle Coalition and so you go to
biker events. You know, you think sons of anarchy walking
up on the club and whatever, but you all are
except you, Like you said, you need to make yourselves
accessible to the community so they know that you're a resourcer.
(20:37):
So that's why you're part of the PBS events. I
know that you all do presentations in schools and you
know at different you know, Lamente Health and Riggs. The
question I have for you, you know, again, like repeat had said,
going to court is a small It's an important portion,
but it's a small amount of the time done. What
kind of events or what kind of support do you
(20:58):
give the little guardians they are ceremoniously adopted into your organization.
What activities do you do with them?
Speaker 6 (21:05):
Yes, going back to what you said that the court
is only a small percentage of everyone. Because once a
child is ceremonially adopted, the child is with us until
they're no longer child. They're with us until they're eighteen
years of age. So when they're not in court, that's
that's when it's important. And the type of events can
Like I said earlier, it ranges from taking them out
to ice cream or you know, going to one of
(21:27):
their support functions to offer support to let ano they're
not alone.
Speaker 4 (21:31):
So why is it important that you know they have
that support outside of the courtroom.
Speaker 6 (21:36):
It's important to have that support outside the courtroom because
that's life, that's where they interact.
Speaker 7 (21:41):
That's where it changes. A big thing about the courtroom.
Speaker 6 (21:44):
Also that people don't realize is that when these kids
go to court, the family is not allowed to go
and they're with them, So we in turn become their family.
We get to go to these courtrooms too with them.
And in order for them to feel that comfort and
have that trust with us in the court room, it
has to be built outside the courtroom and through conversations
through simple how was your day and what's your favorite color?
(22:07):
Did you see that anime episode? It just something where
the child can understand that we may look you know,
rugged and how we are, but we're.
Speaker 7 (22:17):
Here for them.
Speaker 4 (22:17):
Yeah. Otherwise they're just in a courtroom with another stranger.
And so if you're in there in the courtroom with them,
you know, are you mad dogging the purp are you
persuading the judges? What's going on in the courtroom?
Speaker 7 (22:29):
Quite the contrary.
Speaker 6 (22:30):
We're not allowed to wear any of our insting nets,
we're not allowed to be identified as such.
Speaker 4 (22:34):
Oker's got to dress up.
Speaker 6 (22:36):
It would be when you become a Guardian, you go
through training to handle these courtrooms, how to go in there,
how to stand and then we are not there to intimidate.
Like I said earlier, we're avengel lantings. We are not there.
The sole purpose of our presence is to have that
child know somebody has their back, and our job is
simply to sit there, stand there and be there for
the child.
Speaker 4 (22:55):
Excellent, So repeat Riggs talked about training, and I know
he's been in the Guardians a little bit longer than you,
so it might be fresher in your memory. What kind
of training do you have to go through to become
a patched member of the Guardians.
Speaker 5 (23:08):
Absolutely, on top of the training, we all I know
you can't really see our cuts right now, but we
all have that patch, and that also symbolizes that we've
all been through background check, right And that's another important
aspect to the patch as well, is knowing that we're
all there for a solidified reason we all been background checked.
(23:31):
To give back to the training, it's all about how
to deal with these children. Before becoming a member, I
didn't understand the aspect of triggers and how quickly we
could trigger somebody by something as simple as a room
on our.
Speaker 8 (23:47):
Bike right because of the loud noise.
Speaker 5 (23:50):
So understanding that going through training, understanding what triggers could mean,
understanding how to hold ourselves with value in the courtroom.
So these are all different things that we're getting trained
on and kind of what to notice when we're talking
about abuse. These are all things that we're getting trained
don and it's a constant training. Yes, we go through
(24:13):
an initial training, but we also rely on each other
to up that training throughout our full time with the Guardians.
Speaker 4 (24:20):
So for the members that are a part of Guardians
of the Children, do you all have to be involved
in some kind of therapy or social work to be
able to be a Guardian.
Speaker 8 (24:29):
No, that's a great question.
Speaker 5 (24:31):
We all come from different walks of life, right and
the mission that really brings us together is the children.
Speaker 4 (24:38):
Of course, and of course, like all nonprofits, the two
main things needed for a nonprofit are volunteers and money.
So if you're just tuning in, we have two members
of Guardians of the Children Sun City. We have Rigs.
He is the sergeant at arms because Guardians of the
Children does have a board and we have repeat. He's
also a Guardians of the Children member. He is on
(24:59):
the committee, Community Outreach and Public Relations Committee. So with
that being said, and of course you had mentioned you
know they can't see the cuts. I will be posting
pictures on our Sunday ninety nine point nine, ninety six
point three k Hey and Power No. Two, Instagram and
Facebook as always you can see pictures of Rigs and
repeating the patches and the cuts. But right now we
(25:19):
want to talk about a fundraiser where the community can
get involved and help you all out with funding, because
again you know, nonprofits need two things funding and volunteers.
So Riggs, what is this event coming up? That is
April twelfth.
Speaker 6 (25:34):
On April twelfth, we have what we normally have traditionally
every year is a run. It's an annual run, and
a run is just pretty much you go from spot
to spot, you know, you go to go have have
a beverage at.
Speaker 7 (25:46):
Each place they're there.
Speaker 6 (25:48):
Great, you can't run this year we're gonna do Yeah, no, no,
it's right.
Speaker 7 (25:51):
It's a run.
Speaker 6 (25:52):
It's on your bike. You jump on your bike. You
go from one spot to another spot, enjoy and beverage
at the end. One go to the end. At the
end is full of games and i'll kinds of stuff.
Now this year we're doing a little different. This year
is our tenth anniversary. So we're gonna have one stop.
It's April twelveth Everything starts at noon and it's at
the VFW Post. Let me, I don't want to get
this wrong. Let me let me let me say exactly
(26:14):
what the post is. One O three five fours the
VFW Post one O three five four at ninety one
seventy April twelfth, starting at noon two four, and we're
gonna have drinks, we're gonna have music, we're gonna have food,
we're gonna have tuggle war, we're gonna have drag races
and wait, till you see those, because those are just amazing.
We do charge, you know, fifteen dollars a person and
(26:36):
that does cover food and it will feed you what
you know, Come by, give us a.
Speaker 7 (26:41):
Hand, ask us the questions you want to know who
we are.
Speaker 6 (26:44):
Everything now, since we are a five O one seed
three and we're hosting this event, all the proceeds, one
hundred percent of the proceeds goes straight to our mission.
We don't have any salary to members. No one here,
all of us are volunteers. No one collects a payroll.
Every dollar you give goes straight to the kids, and
it helps.
Speaker 7 (27:02):
It helps pay for.
Speaker 6 (27:03):
The pizzas, it helps pay for the lunches, it helps
pay for the organizations. A lot of people don't understand
that a lot of kids are triggered, they are involved
in certain stuff. So to protect there, to protect our kids,
a lot of the times, what we do is we
rent entire facilities, and events like this make it possible
for us to do this for them, whether it's to
have a facility open, you know, let us come in
(27:25):
and play video games or whatever now before they open,
or to shut down a patio for us. And all
this stuff is not cheap, so events like this make
it possible. It's a way for the community to help
us complete our mission and.
Speaker 4 (27:39):
Repeat for these runs. I know that you've been a
part of a few in the past. Do you need
a motorcycle to participate in these runs?
Speaker 8 (27:46):
Absolutely? Great question.
Speaker 5 (27:48):
The great thing about our runs and this event is
you don't need a motorcycle to participate. Come and support right,
this is a big community event. Yes, there'll be some
bikes there, but I do want to mention something if
you are interested, I'm letting you all know we have
some great giveaways that we're giving away. If you're interested,
(28:09):
please come check it out. This is more than just
the bike event. Yeah yeah, if they truly care about
the children out there, this is the event to go.
We want to make sure, just like Greg said, we
want to be able.
Speaker 8 (28:23):
To continue our mission. Renting out these facilities.
Speaker 5 (28:28):
Again aren't cheap, so you know, we want to make
sure we're providing that safe place for the children, and
this event is an opportunity to help support us do that.
Speaker 4 (28:39):
So again, you don't need a motorcycle to attend this
run and not run like a five k. It's a
motorcycle run, but you can go in your car, as
you know bikers like to say, you can go caging
April twelfth, twelve to fourth the VFW and Post one
zero three five four. So you're also supporting a VFW
by attending this event at ninety one seventy Kanana. And
(29:00):
you know when you were talking about the kids and
everything that's involved there and you're trying to protect their
annonymity with these funds that's being raised, I mean it is.
You know, it's expensive to go out with your own family,
whether you have one or two kids, and then you're
going out with the group. So these funds is going
straight towards these kids. Nobody gets paid and rigs. Are
(29:20):
there any raffle items that come to mind that someone
might want to, you know, show up just to buy
a raffle.
Speaker 7 (29:26):
Ticket for raffle tickets items?
Speaker 6 (29:28):
I believe last I check, we have an AC unit
from Scott's Heating and Cooling up that we're raffling tickets software.
We're going to be selling strips there too. I mean
they have TVs. The prices are amazing. It's not like
you're gonna love the prizes and everything it comes in
the food's gonna be catered also, so there'll be food
they're served. Of course, they have an open bar for
(29:49):
the gentlemen they know, for the older people and then
their spirits. And it's just I invite the puplic to
come out because every year the coalition, the bioker community
come out and support us tremendously and come see what
these bikers are and who they are and see that
we're we're we're not what we portrayed to be on TV.
And it's all great for it's all for the mission,
(30:11):
and then the support come out and give us a
hind definitely.
Speaker 4 (30:14):
So if you want more information on them or on
the event, you can find them on Instagram at goc
sun City, on Facebook at Guardians of the Children's Sun City,
or like you had mentioned, Riggs. This is an international
nonprofit organization, so you can go to Guardians of the
Children dot org and find the chapter nearest to you.
Now repeat, Riggs, We have a couple more minutes left. Repeat.
(30:37):
Is there anything else that you would like to tell
the listening audience.
Speaker 5 (30:40):
Absolutely, one of the biggest joys I feel that we
get out of of our mission. There's times that we
bring in the children through our adoption where they're a
little bit more timid, right reserved and head down, don't
really want to communicate.
Speaker 8 (30:59):
And next thing you know, next time we're meeting with them,
or throughout the whole journey, you see them running up
excited to see you.
Speaker 5 (31:09):
There is nothing I'm even getting chills even talking about it.
That is the mission, right again, turning from victim to victor.
Speaker 8 (31:19):
That is our whole, sole purpose and our.
Speaker 5 (31:22):
Mission to make sure the children come out of this
in a better place.
Speaker 6 (31:28):
I know people out there listening, they see guardians of
the children, they see bikers, they say, oh, everybody, you know,
we love what you do, but they don't really know
what we do. And a lot of people would come
up and say I would love to help you, but
they just don't have the time, they don't have the motorcycle.
I say, come out April twelve. Give us the opportunity
to introduce ourselves. Come out, come meet us, see what
it takes.
Speaker 7 (31:49):
And if you can donate the time like we do
or the stuff that we do, come out. This is
the way you can support us.
Speaker 6 (31:55):
We all know someplace or another kid that needs help
and we just want to reach them.
Speaker 7 (31:59):
And the only way we go.
Speaker 6 (32:00):
That is our bottom Rocker says, don't let your silence
drown up their cries. So come out stand with us,
be the voice for them, and that's how we move
forward as a community.
Speaker 4 (32:10):
Perfect April twelfth, Reich smack dab in the middle of
National Child Abuse Awareness Month, Riggs and repeat, thank you
so much for being here with me today.
Speaker 7 (32:16):
Thank you Embert, Thank you for having us, Thanks for
having us.
Speaker 1 (32:19):
You've been listening to El Paso Public Forum, a weekly
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio El Paso. If you, your
organization or event would like to be featured on an
upcoming program, please email to ep Forum at iHeartMedia dot
com or call us at nine one five three five
one five.
Speaker 8 (32:37):
Four zero zero.
Speaker 1 (32:38):
Tune in again next week for another additional of El
Paso Public Forum. The preceding program was recorded at the
studios of iHeartRadio El Paso.
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