May 4, 2025 • 28 mins
1st segment: Amber Banda inteviews Vanessa Leon, Executive Director for Heart Gallery of El Paso. They help children find forever homes through portraits. For more information go to heartgalleryelpaso.org
2nd segment: Amber Banda interviews Nadia Figueroa, Rocket, 3G Mike. Nadia is the Program Coordinator for A.Y.U.D.A. Inc, (Adults and Youth United Development Association). They are "a bilingual, grassroots, non-profit corporation founded in 1992 for the purpose of advancing and bettering the quality of life of El Paso County’s low-income individuals and families." Grimlords MC is having their 14th Annual Motorcycle Event to fundraise for their cause. For more information go to ayudaelpaso.org.
3rd segment: Amber Banda interviews Alberto Ruiz & America Breceda from the Family Resiliency Center, part of the United Way of El Paso County. The FRC was made as a direct response to the mass shooting that ocurred in El Paso August 3rd, 2019. For more information go to unitedwayelpaso.org
2nd segment: Amber Banda interviews Nadia Figueroa, Rocket, 3G Mike. Nadia is the Program Coordinator for A.Y.U.D.A. Inc, (Adults and Youth United Development Association). They are "a bilingual, grassroots, non-profit corporation founded in 1992 for the purpose of advancing and bettering the quality of life of El Paso County’s low-income individuals and families." Grimlords MC is having their 14th Annual Motorcycle Event to fundraise for their cause. For more information go to ayudaelpaso.org.
3rd segment: Amber Banda interviews Alberto Ruiz & America Breceda from the Family Resiliency Center, part of the United Way of El Paso County. The FRC was made as a direct response to the mass shooting that ocurred in El Paso August 3rd, 2019. For more information go to unitedwayelpaso.org
Mark as Played
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, Amber Banda, and today we have someone very
special back. Her name is Vanessa Leon. She is the
executive director for Heart Gallery of El Paso and I
think I did pretty good last time. Vanessa, without saying iHeart,
I'm gonna you know because I work for iHeart, so
Heart Gallery of al Paso. Vanessa, thank you so much
for being here with me today.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Thanks for having us. Amber super excited to be back.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
You've been busy so last year when we did this
segment on Heart Galley El Paso, I'd just heard of
you and you're doing good. You know, we'll talk a
little bit about what you all do for the community,
for the youth and foster care. But now you're having
this big event that we're going to talk about in
a few minutes. So you're doing very well. But first
let's start. What is Heart Gallery of El Paso.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Heart Galley of Elle Passo. What we do is that
we serve as the voice of our foster youth in
our community, specifically those youth that are a little bit older,
sibling groups and those with medical needs. And what we
do is that we tell their stories through portraits, so
you'll see their portraits across the community. It is our
way of telling their stories and just really giving them
(01:26):
visibility so they can find their forever home.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
So usually these youth are people, are kids that they
have a harder time to get placed into a loving
family because maybe they have a disability, maybe it's them
and their siblings that you want them to be placed together,
they're older and so again just like the name says
Heart Gallery of El Paso, there's different galleries that your
business can host, different places where they just again portraits,
(01:50):
very well done, professional portraits of these kids, professional portrait experiences,
and outreach opportunities. So for Heart Gallery of El Paso,
again you're raising awareness for children in foster care. Do
you work with DFPS?
Speaker 3 (02:03):
We work very closely with DFPS. We could not do
the work that we do without them. We are strong partners.
We work hand in hand, and I am so thankful
for the hard work that they do in our community.
As I always say, they are keeping our youth safe.
They're keeping them protected, and now it's our job to
find those families to take them into their home.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Of course I love that, and so with that, you
all are having an event coming up. But first I
want to talk a little bit about a story that
you were telling me just a few minutes ago. So
there was a new segment that ran and tell the
listening audience what you told me about the grandma.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Of course, so through the power of our storytelling, we're
able to let the community know about our youth. One
particular story, we have a partnership with Kviia and they
do monthly segments for us. One of their viewers was
watching the segment and she thought to herself, what's the
Heart Gallery.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
She looked us up.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
She went to our gallery because when you visit our
website you can see the youth that we're featuring, and
she found her grandson. She had been estranged from her
daughter and had no idea that her grandbaby was in
foster care, so she reached out. We connected her with
the caseworker and now she and her family are working
on adopting not only him, but his siblings as well.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
That is amazing. And you can go to Heart Galleryalpasso
dot org. The gallery is going to be there.
Speaker 4 (03:17):
Now.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Is this just an Alpaso initiative or is this statewide?
Speaker 3 (03:20):
It's it's a statewide So but what's unique about our
Heart Gallery. We're the only nonprofit. We're the only five
oh one c three across the state. Heart Galleries are
embedded into other organizations, so they are a program of
that organization. Right, we are the only standalone nonprofit. That's
why this upcoming fundraiser is so important for us, so
we can raise funds to continue to raise awareness and
(03:42):
build that visibility.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
And before we get into that fundraiser, one more thing.
You told me that you had a number of kids
that were actually adopted in place thanks thanks directly to
the Heart Gallery of Alpaso.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Since our inception of November twenty twenty three, we've had
eleven youth be placed and adoptive homes.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
That's wonderful, it's great. That's wonderful and I see I
see it now, the passion that you have for what
you do. I love it. And if you're just joining us,
I have here Vanessa Leone, executive director for Heart Gallery
of Alpasso. Now let's go a little bit into this
event that is coming up in just a few days.
What is it called and where's it going to be?
Give us all the details.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Of course, it's Framing Hope, so of course it ties
into the gallery right portrait love the name frames. Thank
you you come up with it, I did, congratulations, Thank
you so Framing Hope. It's our first official fundraiser. It's
going to be held Wednesday, May seventh at La Nube.
This way our first and only children's museum, so it's
a really great way of just tying it all together.
(04:42):
It'll be from five thirty to seven thirty. We're really excited.
We're going to have a special appearance from First Lady
Cecilia Abbott. For those that don't know, the Heart Galleries
of Texas is one of the initiatives for the First
Lady and for the Governor's Women's Commission. Specifically for the
First Lady because they're adoptive parents themselves. Wow, So they're
(05:03):
very understanding of the importance of finding these positive and
loving homes for youth. So she will be fine and
to all pass. So to do a special appearance, we'll
have our commissioners from the first Women's from the Governor's
Women's Commission, and then our live auction is going to
be mced by the newly elected Mayor Renard Johnson, so
we're very excited about that. To tie it all together,
(05:26):
Polsi Galla from KVII will be our event MC could
not think of a better MC because he's been featuring
our youth on KVIA on a monthly basis, so he
really knows these stories. He's the one that's filming and
engaging with our youth, so to have them be a
part of the event is very special.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
That's awesome. And then you were telling me a little
bit more so this event is it open to the public.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
It is, so we're selling tickets for one hundred dollars.
We have sponsorship opportunities available as well. The biggest takeaway
from this event it's that you'll be able to hear
stories of impact and one of our youth that was
just recently adopted he'll be present with his family as well.
Speaker 5 (06:04):
That's awesome.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
So as soon as you walk into le Nuba, you're
gonna have tables set up and all that. So an
important thing that I like for the listeners to know
is if they do want to attend, they pay this money,
Maybe they're sponsoring, maybe they just want to donate funds.
Where do those funds go?
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Those funds go to youth like Odin placing his photo
across the community. We're able to print his photo, We're
able to raise awareness, hang up his portrait. We're able
to go out into the community and spread awareness. Not
only that we're doing work and post adopt to what
that means. It's that we are doing post adopt services
for families that are either about to adopt or have
(06:42):
adopted a foster youth and maybe they need additional resources.
It's a partnership with KASA of Apostle and the Apostle
Child Guidance Center. What we are doing it is through
these funds, we are helping families get resources such as
where to get your birth certificate? Social security? Are you
seeing behavioral issues with your youth? That's connecting now to
mental health counseling. Not just the youth, but their family
(07:05):
as well. So that's where that funding is going to
raise in awareness and then helping with our post adopt
piece as well.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
So they don't just adopt and then they're left to,
you know, for their own defenses, because this is something
that you know, no matter how big your heart is
and no matter how badly you want these children, you're
still gonna need help afterward. It's very different, you know,
when you're fostering and having a child come into your
family that way. So the funds are going not only
to the actual you know, framing and doing the portraits,
(07:31):
but also the resources for the family. That's amazing. And
so again Framing Hope Fundraiser May seven. So just a
few days this Wednesday, five thirty to seven thirty pm
at La Nubet Steam Discovery Center. Guest appearance by First
Lady of Texas, Missus Cecilia Abbott. It's one of her initiatives.
Live auction mced by EP Mayor Renard Johnson. And you
(07:53):
said who was going to MC the event, Paul Sikayla
because he's been featuring the youth on a monthly basis.
That's amazing. Shout out to you, Paul, and is there
any other way that the community support or is there
anything else you would like to tell the listening audience.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Absolutely. If you are not able to attend the event,
please visit our social media follow us on social media
so you can learn a little bit more about our mission,
learn more about the youth that we're featuring. We're always
looking for volunteers and for individuals who want to host
us at their business or home. They can reach out
to us directly and we can do a pop up gallery.
Helping spread the mission is what's so helpful that the
(08:28):
more people that know about what we're doing, it's more helpful.
And getting more foster families for those that don't know.
Opasso lacks a lot of foster families in our community,
so that means that when a child is placed in
foster care, they're not necessarily going to stay in Opasso.
They might be sent out of the city, so they're
being ripped away from their homes, from the mountains into
(08:50):
an unknown area. So coming together as a community to
become a foster parent or a home is also so important,
and we're able to do that by telling the mission
and the story.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Definitely and you can find more information if you want
a foster you're foster curious, there is nothing wrong with
asking a question. They're not going to jump on you
and commit you to anything. But if you're foster curious,
please reach out. Find them at Heart Galleryalpasso dot org
and Instagram, Facebook, Heart Gallery El Paso, Vanessa, thank you
so much for being here with me today.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
Thank you, Amber.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
Welcome back to the El Paso Public Forum. I am
your host, Amber Banda, and today we have a full house.
Literally if you can see inside the station at a
full house. I love it so Now we have Nadia Figueroa.
She is the program coordinator for IUVA Ink. Nadia, thank
you for being here with me today.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
Hi, good morning, thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Good morning. And we also have Rocket. He is the
VP for Grimloord's Motorcycle Club. Rocket, thank you for being
here with me today.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Good morning.
Speaker 5 (09:52):
Thank you for having us, of course.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
And we also have three G Mike. He is the
entertainment promoter for an event that we're going to talk
about in a little bit. That's going to help are
you that ink? Mike, Thank you for being here with
me today.
Speaker 6 (10:04):
Thank you for having us. It's a honor to be.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Here, of course. So today we're going to be talking
a little bit about I you that ink a A
Yu da, And I'm going to direct my questions right
now to you, Nadia. What is I you that ink?
And what does it do for the community.
Speaker 4 (10:19):
So back in nineteen ninety six, my mother, along with
four other homemakers, decided to get together to get public
service for our communities. We didn't have sewage electricity, so
they got together and yeah, we well they started Ayula
and I pretty much was raised there. So I've been
(10:43):
working there for about twenty years now, Oh, volunteer part
and then once I started eighteen Yeah, I've been part
of it.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
You're like, now you need to pay me for this.
I'm part of a nonprofit that they're familiar with. If
I got paid for the work I did for gardens
to the children, I'd probably, you know, that would be
a nice little side hustle. So as program coordinator for
a you that what do you do? What's your role?
Speaker 4 (11:01):
Well, I organize which we do. We have a bunch
of stuff going on. Programs. We have assistance for rental mortgage,
we have zooma classes, community events, food distribution, I do immigration,
the immigration.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
Side of it.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
We have health classes, workshops, health class, health, mental health,
and then we have other agencies come in and provide
their services as well.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
So are you that inc Does it focus on like
a select population or is it just for like every
everyone everyone in Opaso County? Oh wow? Okay. So when
you say that you help like on the like with
with immigration and then you do the zooma class and
all that are the is that.
Speaker 7 (11:43):
For free or yes?
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Oh wow? So if someone wanted to be a part
of these or like partake in these services, like, how
would they go about doing that?
Speaker 4 (11:51):
Our community center is located in thirteen twenty five Beverly,
and or they can call our Our number is nine
to one five eight five one zero two seven to
two okay, and they can ask about what active programs
we have right now. I did mention rental assistants and
mortgage right now. We did have it for open public
last year. This year right now we have it only
for veterans.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Okay, okay, thirteen twenty five Beverly, and we're sapp by
what product town suddenly sansadio? Okay, awesome. So it's not
just like focusing on one select group, it's just all
the past. So if they need help with pretty much
quality of life is what it sounds like? Well, and
can can I ask? I mean, I know it was
your your your your, your mom's baby, but this is
also your mom's baby, right, Yes? Why did she decide
(12:33):
to do something like this?
Speaker 4 (12:35):
Like I mentioned before, she when we first moved to
San A Lisadio, we didn't have services public service, So
she got together with other moms around the neighborhood and
they wanted to raise awareness and.
Speaker 7 (12:50):
They made it happen.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
That's awesome.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
They installed those big water tanks around the neighborhood and
oh wow, yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
Oh nice. Okay, So something that every nonprofit needs, well
two things, really volunteers and money. Yes, and so a
lot of people, you know, they prefer to donate financially
because you know, they don't have a lot of time
in the world. So this is where we're going to
get into this event. And Rocket, I'm going to start
with you again. I'm talking to Rocket VP for grimlrd's
(13:19):
motorcycle Club. They're having an event for IU that inc.
Why did you choose IUA? How did that come about?
Speaker 5 (13:26):
Well, it goes back to when the Grim Lords first started.
Our founder and president, Tabu Morales, he lives down in
the Sinelli area and we wanted to give back to
the community and it was important to us to find
a charity that was based in our community. Most we're
(13:46):
based out of the Lower Valley. I grew up there,
Thabo raised his family there, and so it was important
to find a charity that we felt like would serve
our community.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
We saw a lot of.
Speaker 5 (13:59):
The things that they saw and so it h it
was a great fit and it made sense, and that's
why we partnered up with them.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
It is a perfect fit. So how did you hear
about them?
Speaker 5 (14:13):
To be honest with you, I don't know that I
can answer that question.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
This happened.
Speaker 5 (14:17):
I think that uh, this was before my time with
the Grim Lords. Uh Dobel had heard about them, and
uh knew who they were and and and what they
were about. And uh I think as the story goes,
uh they rolled up one day, uh and I think
it was a little intimidating for Olivia and the ladies
(14:40):
that were there at the time, but to everyone's uh
uh surprise and joy. Uh it turned into a great partnership.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
That's all Yeah, it is really a perfect fit. So
we're going to talk a little bit about this event
that's open to the public. Do you need a motorcycle
to participate in this event?
Speaker 5 (14:57):
You do not need a motorcycle to attend this event.
Going to participate in the bike Rodeo, you either need
one or you need access to one. But we've got
a ton of events, We've got a ton of vendors,
we've got great food, and my buddy Mike Gardeia is
gonna tell you guys about the bands that are coming
up and all the entertainment that he has lined up
for us. But it's a great time. You don't you
(15:19):
don't need to be a biker, You don't need a motorcycle.
You just need to show up and be ready to
have a good time.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
So again he's referring to the fourteenth Annual Motorcycle Event
put on by the Grim Lords MC and three G Promotions.
This is going to be May eighteenth. It starts at
twelve pm at the VFW Post one zero three five
four at ninety one seventy Alien. I guess it's like
Lower Valley area, and so Mike, let me ask you
(15:45):
about the entertainment that is going to be at this event.
Speaker 8 (15:48):
We first of all thank you to the grim Lords
and Ayoudah for having us. We've been with with the
grim Lords since we started, since the year one, and
it's a great partnership when we can get together with
people like the Grimlorgs who share our same vision of
supporting the community.
Speaker 6 (16:04):
But this year, we have four live bands. We're gonna
start with Fat Forces, they'll be there. We have The Tip,
we have a country band called The Vale, and we
also have a recording artists in Middle Fingers Unfold and
they'll be recording a live video of their new song
(16:25):
Burning Rubber.
Speaker 4 (16:26):
At the show.
Speaker 8 (16:27):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
I know Bernie and them. They're awesome. They've been on
some of our shows. So Rocket, let me ask you
what other type of things other than the live events,
which is really like a big part of the event,
But what other things are going to be here at
this event.
Speaker 5 (16:40):
Well, we're gonna have vendors of all different types from
a motorcycle, jewelry, micro jewelry, paraphernalia, beef jerky. There'll be
people there selling all kinds of T shirts. We've had jellies,
so there'll be a on of vendors there. There'll be
(17:01):
some food trucks. Ten dollars get you in the door,
and that will also get you a meal that we
cook and provide for our guests out of appreciation for
the people coming out to support us.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
And let me tell you, I've eaten their food before.
It's delicious. So we'll have all of that.
Speaker 5 (17:18):
We'll have a charity auction, we'll have door prizes, and
we're also going to have a bike rodeo.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
So there'll be some.
Speaker 5 (17:29):
Competition amongst both the clubs and the independence friendly competition, yes,
very friendly competition, and it's just a great time. It's
family friendly. So the beer is cold and cheap. The
VFW will be selling the beer and that's kind of
(17:51):
a sideline benefit. We're bringing it back home to the VFW.
The last couple of years we were in Cinelli, but
we're bringing it back home. We've done a lot of
work to help the VFW on Kananea and it's just
going to be a great time.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
And again, not only will you be supporting Ayuda, you'll
also be supporting that VFW post. And of course the
money that's raised, all of it are a portion of
is going to go to Ayuda. So, Nadia, we're running
out of time, but I do want the people to
know where are these funds used? How is it used
with Ayuda? Okay, well, I'll tell you.
Speaker 4 (18:27):
Fourteen years ago when we first started our collaboration with him,
we gave out about twenty turkeys only, and just last
year we gave a little bit over two hundred and
fifty turkeys. So you're coming out and supporting this event
will help us reach our goal. Maybe hitting three hundred
would be great. Awesome just two plus three hundred families,
that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
Thanksgiving not a part of yours, but I've been a
part of Turkey deliveries. I love seeing the faces and
how much it helps, especially with food prices where they
are right now. So again, the fourteenth annual Motorcycle Event
May eighteenth. It starts at noon at the VFW Post
one zero one zero three five to four at ninety
one seventy and air Lane. Ten dollars. Donation. You're gonna
(19:06):
get live auction, music, raffles, door prizes. You're gonna get
to participate or see the motorcycle games will be beer specials.
For more information on Facebook, go to Ayuda Inc. A
yu Da Inc. On Instagram Ayula al Paso from a
flyer of the event. On Facebook, you can go to
the al Paso Motorcycle Coalition and of course ninety six
(19:28):
point three, k Hey Country Sunday ninety nine point nine
and Pouno two point one. We will post pictures more
information about the event. But thank you all for being
here with me today.
Speaker 4 (19:37):
Thank you so much, Thank.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
You, thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Welcome back to the al Paso Public Forum. I am
your host, Amberbanda, and today we have two people from
the Family Resiliency Center, a part of the United Way
of al Paso County. We have here with us Alberto Ruiz,
Senior director of Community Resiliency Betho. Thank you for being
here with me today.
Speaker 9 (20:03):
Thank you for having Mesamber, of.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
Course, thank you for letting me call you, Betho. It's
easier for.
Speaker 7 (20:07):
Me and for me too.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
And America Breceta, outreach and Communications coordinator for the Family
Resiliency Center America, thank you for being here with me today.
Speaker 7 (20:17):
Thank you for having me Amber.
Speaker 2 (20:19):
Of course. So we're going to talk a little bit
first about the Family Resiliency Center the FRC. Again, it
is a part of the United Way of al Paso County, Betho,
I'm gonna turn it to you now. What is the FRC.
Speaker 9 (20:32):
Well, the FORC is a place of healing created in
direct response to the August third mass violence incident that
happened here in Opasso. We're created back in nineteen and
we have been providing services to the community with this
sole intention of helping every single old Passo want achieve
long term healing.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
And so, what are some of the things that you've
done in the past. I mean, we just recently had
you know, very actively the people going in and giving
their statements and people still you know, bringing up memories.
What events have you had in the past to help
the community get through this.
Speaker 9 (21:08):
Well, the approach that we take is we try to
make mental health services as accessible and approachable to the
entire community. So to do that, we provide regular clinical
counseling services, but also non traditional which for a community
in which mental health is a stigma, they work really
well because they don't require a lot of disclosure. You
(21:29):
can just go have an experience, relax and it also
primes a lot of people to move on and open
up to counseling. So that's what we have been doing
along with resiliency Navigation services, that is one of our
main operations. When you come to the center, you will
be assigned a navigator. That navigator will meet with you
and will design a personalized care plan for each person
(21:52):
that comes like to the FRC that includes not just
addressing your mental health needs, but also your basic needs
and education only needs if you have the need for
that as well.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
Wow, because that's the foundation, right, So that's very important.
That's amazing, And so what we want to talk about
today is being able to be a part of these
events that Betho was talking about that are not so invasive,
but it still gives you a chance to heal and
take care of your own mental health and kind of
like an out of the box way. So America, let's
talk about these upcoming events. There's some sound baths and
(22:24):
some yoga coming up for the community. Can you tell
us a little bit more about those?
Speaker 7 (22:29):
Of course, of course, Ember, we're going to have three
sound bat sessions for the month of May. We're creating
a campaign Mind Matters for Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
Two of those are going to be at our Healing
Guarding at a Scout at the park. On the seventeenth,
we're going to have a sound bat session at eight
am with instruments of healing. And on the thirty first,
(22:49):
we're going to have a yoga session with also instruments
of healing leading it, which will also happen at a
scout at the park. Both of those are open to
the community. We encourage you to visit our website so
you can register. Upon registering, you will be given a
parking pass which will allow you to come in for free.
And then we're going to have two other soundbat sessions.
(23:10):
One of them is going to be on the tenth
of May. That one will happen at our Family Resiliency
Center which is located at sixty three fourteen Delta. That
one will be at ten thirty am. And then the
second one will be on the twenty fourth, also a
soundbat session sixty three fourteen Delta ten thirty am. And
I just want to mention to bring your yoga mats
(23:31):
and your water bottles so that you're ready to go.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
So again, all of these events are happening on a Saturday,
It sounds like Saturday mornings, and they're either happening at
the FRC at sixty three fourteen delta or at Askatata
at the Healing Garden. If you haven't been, please go
look at it. It's basically a memorial to those that
lost their lives in the shooting. And it's a very
beautiful thing to see. And if you're confused with the dates,
(23:54):
don't worry. Unitedway, i'llpasso dot org. Also on Instagram, I'll
passounited dot f and on Facebook, I'll pass the United
Family Resiliency Center. They'll have the QR COLD. They'll have
more information there. But I wanted to ask you America,
what is a sound bath and how can it help
with your mental health?
Speaker 7 (24:12):
A sound bath is a it's like a meditation session.
We have Sessad who is from Instruments of Healing. He
is so great at coming in and putting everyone to
just kind of navigate through their minds with the they're
like bulls and he makes like sound come out of
them and with a different wavelengths. It really helps you,
(24:36):
like it helps you soothe your mind. So that's kind
of what you can expect. You get to lay down
and just relax. Some people even fall asleep, and it's
really cool to see because when they wake up and
they you know it's over. They tell us like, I
feel like I went to a place that I hadn't
been in a while, or like they just reach a
point of of meditation that they hadn't been able to
(24:57):
do on their own.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
And because I've done sound I've done yoga. And for
those that aren't aware, there's brain waves that well, they're
in your brain right and certain wavelengths can cause certain emotions,
can put your brain in a certain place. And what
these sound bats do is they put the brain waves.
I don't remember what spectrum, the ra be, whatever, but
it puts you in a meditative state so you can
(25:20):
actually calm down, you can de stress.
Speaker 4 (25:22):
You know.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
It's like when you put yourself on the charge after
the battery is running low. It kind of helps you
to recharge. And the cool thing about this is that
everyone's gathered there together with the same idea, the same
idea to come together to heal. A majority of them,
you can even guess, you know, it's to reflect on
the tragic events or just for whatever you have going on.
(25:43):
We all have some kind of stress. Same thing with yoga.
Yoga really helps you to, you know, internally, just focus
on your breathing. You always say when you're panicked or
you're in traffic, just breathe. And that's what yoga is
is just breathing with movement. And so I think again, Betel,
like you were saying these out of the box ways
of you don't have to go and tell everyone your woes.
You know, I've cried during yoga, I admit, and I
(26:05):
am not a crier. I'm one of those that I
need to go hard and these just they really help
you to come and focus just thirty minutes free do
it with the community. Betho, is there anything else that
you would like to tell the listening audience.
Speaker 9 (26:19):
I want to tell everyone that this is like with
all the legal proceedings, the sentence in hearing, this is
any opportunity for the community to heal. We don't have
the uncertainty of what's going to happen to the perpetrator,
like we finally close that chapter, and it is any
opportunity for everyone to take care of their mental health
because we were all affected a little bit or like
(26:41):
a lot with the as violence incident of Fogust third
and we are here to help. Please, like you understand
that trauma may take up to like four to five
years to start showing science when it's like secondary trauma
or other type of trauma. Like so just because you
haven't felt it before, if you feel like you need
help and it is related to others, third, please feel
(27:04):
free to reach out and we are here to help.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
Yeah, there's closure now, but with closure, there also needs
to be a new level of healing and America, is
there anything else that you would like to tell the
listening audience.
Speaker 7 (27:15):
We just want to invite you all to be a
part of all of these events because, like Betho said,
even though it's been a few years since the incident,
people are still processing their emotions and it's just a
good opportunity to continue and or begin that healing journey
with us.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
Definitely, and it's okay, we don't have a yoga mat.
Just go get a towel, just show up, find a
soft patch of grass, and you know, be a part
of these amazing events. They're here for you. I've seen
it firsthand. I love what they do. The Family Resiliency
Center a part of the United Way of al Passo
County on Instagram, I'll Passlunited dot FRC on Facebook I'll
pass United Family Resiliency Center and you can find them
(27:53):
at United Way Ilpasso dot org. Betho and America. Thank
you so much for being here with me today.
Speaker 1 (27:59):
Thanks out for having us.
Speaker 7 (28:00):
Yes, thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (28:01):
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 Epforum at iHeartMedia dot com
or call us at nine one five three five one
five four zero zero. Tune in again next week for
(28:22):
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, Amber Banda, and today we have someone very
special back. Her name is Vanessa Leon. She is the
executive director for Heart Gallery of El Paso and I
think I did pretty good last time. Vanessa, without saying iHeart,
I'm gonna you know because I work for iHeart, so
Heart Gallery of al Paso. Vanessa, thank you so much
for being here with me today.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Thanks for having us. Amber super excited to be back.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
You've been busy so last year when we did this
segment on Heart Galley El Paso, I'd just heard of
you and you're doing good. You know, we'll talk a
little bit about what you all do for the community,
for the youth and foster care. But now you're having
this big event that we're going to talk about in
a few minutes. So you're doing very well. But first
let's start. What is Heart Gallery of El Paso.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Heart Galley of Elle Passo. What we do is that
we serve as the voice of our foster youth in
our community, specifically those youth that are a little bit older,
sibling groups and those with medical needs. And what we
do is that we tell their stories through portraits, so
you'll see their portraits across the community. It is our
way of telling their stories and just really giving them
(01:26):
visibility so they can find their forever home.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
So usually these youth are people, are kids that they
have a harder time to get placed into a loving
family because maybe they have a disability, maybe it's them
and their siblings that you want them to be placed together,
they're older and so again just like the name says
Heart Gallery of El Paso, there's different galleries that your
business can host, different places where they just again portraits,
(01:50):
very well done, professional portraits of these kids, professional portrait experiences,
and outreach opportunities. So for Heart Gallery of El Paso,
again you're raising awareness for children in foster care. Do
you work with DFPS?
Speaker 3 (02:03):
We work very closely with DFPS. We could not do
the work that we do without them. We are strong partners.
We work hand in hand, and I am so thankful
for the hard work that they do in our community.
As I always say, they are keeping our youth safe.
They're keeping them protected, and now it's our job to
find those families to take them into their home.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Of course I love that, and so with that, you
all are having an event coming up. But first I
want to talk a little bit about a story that
you were telling me just a few minutes ago. So
there was a new segment that ran and tell the
listening audience what you told me about the grandma.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Of course, so through the power of our storytelling, we're
able to let the community know about our youth. One
particular story, we have a partnership with Kviia and they
do monthly segments for us. One of their viewers was
watching the segment and she thought to herself, what's the
Heart Gallery.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
She looked us up.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
She went to our gallery because when you visit our
website you can see the youth that we're featuring, and
she found her grandson. She had been estranged from her
daughter and had no idea that her grandbaby was in
foster care, so she reached out. We connected her with
the caseworker and now she and her family are working
on adopting not only him, but his siblings as well.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
That is amazing. And you can go to Heart Galleryalpasso
dot org. The gallery is going to be there.
Speaker 4 (03:17):
Now.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Is this just an Alpaso initiative or is this statewide?
Speaker 3 (03:20):
It's it's a statewide So but what's unique about our
Heart Gallery. We're the only nonprofit. We're the only five
oh one c three across the state. Heart Galleries are
embedded into other organizations, so they are a program of
that organization. Right, we are the only standalone nonprofit. That's
why this upcoming fundraiser is so important for us, so
we can raise funds to continue to raise awareness and
(03:42):
build that visibility.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
And before we get into that fundraiser, one more thing.
You told me that you had a number of kids
that were actually adopted in place thanks thanks directly to
the Heart Gallery of Alpaso.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Since our inception of November twenty twenty three, we've had
eleven youth be placed and adoptive homes.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
That's wonderful, it's great. That's wonderful and I see I
see it now, the passion that you have for what
you do. I love it. And if you're just joining us,
I have here Vanessa Leone, executive director for Heart Gallery
of Alpasso. Now let's go a little bit into this
event that is coming up in just a few days.
What is it called and where's it going to be?
Give us all the details.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Of course, it's Framing Hope, so of course it ties
into the gallery right portrait love the name frames. Thank
you you come up with it, I did, congratulations, Thank
you so Framing Hope. It's our first official fundraiser. It's
going to be held Wednesday, May seventh at La Nube.
This way our first and only children's museum, so it's
a really great way of just tying it all together.
(04:42):
It'll be from five thirty to seven thirty. We're really excited.
We're going to have a special appearance from First Lady
Cecilia Abbott. For those that don't know, the Heart Galleries
of Texas is one of the initiatives for the First
Lady and for the Governor's Women's Commission. Specifically for the
First Lady because they're adoptive parents themselves. Wow, So they're
(05:03):
very understanding of the importance of finding these positive and
loving homes for youth. So she will be fine and
to all pass. So to do a special appearance, we'll
have our commissioners from the first Women's from the Governor's
Women's Commission, and then our live auction is going to
be mced by the newly elected Mayor Renard Johnson, so
we're very excited about that. To tie it all together,
(05:26):
Polsi Galla from KVII will be our event MC could
not think of a better MC because he's been featuring
our youth on KVIA on a monthly basis, so he
really knows these stories. He's the one that's filming and
engaging with our youth, so to have them be a
part of the event is very special.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
That's awesome. And then you were telling me a little
bit more so this event is it open to the public.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
It is, so we're selling tickets for one hundred dollars.
We have sponsorship opportunities available as well. The biggest takeaway
from this event it's that you'll be able to hear
stories of impact and one of our youth that was
just recently adopted he'll be present with his family as well.
Speaker 5 (06:04):
That's awesome.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
So as soon as you walk into le Nuba, you're
gonna have tables set up and all that. So an
important thing that I like for the listeners to know
is if they do want to attend, they pay this money,
Maybe they're sponsoring, maybe they just want to donate funds.
Where do those funds go?
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Those funds go to youth like Odin placing his photo
across the community. We're able to print his photo, We're
able to raise awareness, hang up his portrait. We're able
to go out into the community and spread awareness. Not
only that we're doing work and post adopt to what
that means. It's that we are doing post adopt services
for families that are either about to adopt or have
(06:42):
adopted a foster youth and maybe they need additional resources.
It's a partnership with KASA of Apostle and the Apostle
Child Guidance Center. What we are doing it is through
these funds, we are helping families get resources such as
where to get your birth certificate? Social security? Are you
seeing behavioral issues with your youth? That's connecting now to
mental health counseling. Not just the youth, but their family
(07:05):
as well. So that's where that funding is going to
raise in awareness and then helping with our post adopt
piece as well.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
So they don't just adopt and then they're left to,
you know, for their own defenses, because this is something
that you know, no matter how big your heart is
and no matter how badly you want these children, you're
still gonna need help afterward. It's very different, you know,
when you're fostering and having a child come into your
family that way. So the funds are going not only
to the actual you know, framing and doing the portraits,
(07:31):
but also the resources for the family. That's amazing. And
so again Framing Hope Fundraiser May seven. So just a
few days this Wednesday, five thirty to seven thirty pm
at La Nubet Steam Discovery Center. Guest appearance by First
Lady of Texas, Missus Cecilia Abbott. It's one of her initiatives.
Live auction mced by EP Mayor Renard Johnson. And you
(07:53):
said who was going to MC the event, Paul Sikayla
because he's been featuring the youth on a monthly basis.
That's amazing. Shout out to you, Paul, and is there
any other way that the community support or is there
anything else you would like to tell the listening audience.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Absolutely. If you are not able to attend the event,
please visit our social media follow us on social media
so you can learn a little bit more about our mission,
learn more about the youth that we're featuring. We're always
looking for volunteers and for individuals who want to host
us at their business or home. They can reach out
to us directly and we can do a pop up gallery.
Helping spread the mission is what's so helpful that the
(08:28):
more people that know about what we're doing, it's more helpful.
And getting more foster families for those that don't know.
Opasso lacks a lot of foster families in our community,
so that means that when a child is placed in
foster care, they're not necessarily going to stay in Opasso.
They might be sent out of the city, so they're
being ripped away from their homes, from the mountains into
(08:50):
an unknown area. So coming together as a community to
become a foster parent or a home is also so important,
and we're able to do that by telling the mission
and the story.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Definitely and you can find more information if you want
a foster you're foster curious, there is nothing wrong with
asking a question. They're not going to jump on you
and commit you to anything. But if you're foster curious,
please reach out. Find them at Heart Galleryalpasso dot org
and Instagram, Facebook, Heart Gallery El Paso, Vanessa, thank you
so much for being here with me today.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
Thank you, Amber.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
Welcome back to the El Paso Public Forum. I am
your host, Amber Banda, and today we have a full house.
Literally if you can see inside the station at a
full house. I love it so Now we have Nadia Figueroa.
She is the program coordinator for IUVA Ink. Nadia, thank
you for being here with me today.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
Hi, good morning, thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Good morning. And we also have Rocket. He is the
VP for Grimloord's Motorcycle Club. Rocket, thank you for being
here with me today.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Good morning.
Speaker 5 (09:52):
Thank you for having us, of course.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
And we also have three G Mike. He is the
entertainment promoter for an event that we're going to talk
about in a little bit. That's going to help are
you that ink? Mike, Thank you for being here with
me today.
Speaker 6 (10:04):
Thank you for having us. It's a honor to be.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Here, of course. So today we're going to be talking
a little bit about I you that ink a A
Yu da, And I'm going to direct my questions right
now to you, Nadia. What is I you that ink?
And what does it do for the community.
Speaker 4 (10:19):
So back in nineteen ninety six, my mother, along with
four other homemakers, decided to get together to get public
service for our communities. We didn't have sewage electricity, so
they got together and yeah, we well they started Ayula
and I pretty much was raised there. So I've been
(10:43):
working there for about twenty years now, Oh, volunteer part
and then once I started eighteen Yeah, I've been part
of it.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
You're like, now you need to pay me for this.
I'm part of a nonprofit that they're familiar with. If
I got paid for the work I did for gardens
to the children, I'd probably, you know, that would be
a nice little side hustle. So as program coordinator for
a you that what do you do? What's your role?
Speaker 4 (11:01):
Well, I organize which we do. We have a bunch
of stuff going on. Programs. We have assistance for rental mortgage,
we have zooma classes, community events, food distribution, I do immigration,
the immigration.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
Side of it.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
We have health classes, workshops, health class, health, mental health,
and then we have other agencies come in and provide
their services as well.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
So are you that inc Does it focus on like
a select population or is it just for like every
everyone everyone in Opaso County? Oh wow? Okay. So when
you say that you help like on the like with
with immigration and then you do the zooma class and
all that are the is that.
Speaker 7 (11:43):
For free or yes?
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Oh wow? So if someone wanted to be a part
of these or like partake in these services, like, how
would they go about doing that?
Speaker 4 (11:51):
Our community center is located in thirteen twenty five Beverly,
and or they can call our Our number is nine
to one five eight five one zero two seven to
two okay, and they can ask about what active programs
we have right now. I did mention rental assistants and
mortgage right now. We did have it for open public
last year. This year right now we have it only
for veterans.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Okay, okay, thirteen twenty five Beverly, and we're sapp by
what product town suddenly sansadio? Okay, awesome. So it's not
just like focusing on one select group, it's just all
the past. So if they need help with pretty much
quality of life is what it sounds like? Well, and
can can I ask? I mean, I know it was
your your your your, your mom's baby, but this is
also your mom's baby, right, Yes? Why did she decide
(12:33):
to do something like this?
Speaker 4 (12:35):
Like I mentioned before, she when we first moved to
San A Lisadio, we didn't have services public service, So
she got together with other moms around the neighborhood and
they wanted to raise awareness and.
Speaker 7 (12:50):
They made it happen.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
That's awesome.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
They installed those big water tanks around the neighborhood and
oh wow, yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
Oh nice. Okay, So something that every nonprofit needs, well
two things, really volunteers and money. Yes, and so a
lot of people, you know, they prefer to donate financially
because you know, they don't have a lot of time
in the world. So this is where we're going to
get into this event. And Rocket, I'm going to start
with you again. I'm talking to Rocket VP for grimlrd's
(13:19):
motorcycle Club. They're having an event for IU that inc.
Why did you choose IUA? How did that come about?
Speaker 5 (13:26):
Well, it goes back to when the Grim Lords first started.
Our founder and president, Tabu Morales, he lives down in
the Sinelli area and we wanted to give back to
the community and it was important to us to find
a charity that was based in our community. Most we're
(13:46):
based out of the Lower Valley. I grew up there,
Thabo raised his family there, and so it was important
to find a charity that we felt like would serve
our community.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
We saw a lot of.
Speaker 5 (13:59):
The things that they saw and so it h it
was a great fit and it made sense, and that's
why we partnered up with them.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
It is a perfect fit. So how did you hear
about them?
Speaker 5 (14:13):
To be honest with you, I don't know that I
can answer that question.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
This happened.
Speaker 5 (14:17):
I think that uh, this was before my time with
the Grim Lords. Uh Dobel had heard about them, and
uh knew who they were and and and what they
were about. And uh I think as the story goes,
uh they rolled up one day, uh and I think
it was a little intimidating for Olivia and the ladies
(14:40):
that were there at the time, but to everyone's uh
uh surprise and joy. Uh it turned into a great partnership.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
That's all Yeah, it is really a perfect fit. So
we're going to talk a little bit about this event
that's open to the public. Do you need a motorcycle
to participate in this event?
Speaker 5 (14:57):
You do not need a motorcycle to attend this event.
Going to participate in the bike Rodeo, you either need
one or you need access to one. But we've got
a ton of events, We've got a ton of vendors,
we've got great food, and my buddy Mike Gardeia is
gonna tell you guys about the bands that are coming
up and all the entertainment that he has lined up
for us. But it's a great time. You don't you
(15:19):
don't need to be a biker, You don't need a motorcycle.
You just need to show up and be ready to
have a good time.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
So again he's referring to the fourteenth Annual Motorcycle Event
put on by the Grim Lords MC and three G Promotions.
This is going to be May eighteenth. It starts at
twelve pm at the VFW Post one zero three five
four at ninety one seventy Alien. I guess it's like
Lower Valley area, and so Mike, let me ask you
(15:45):
about the entertainment that is going to be at this event.
Speaker 8 (15:48):
We first of all thank you to the grim Lords
and Ayoudah for having us. We've been with with the
grim Lords since we started, since the year one, and
it's a great partnership when we can get together with
people like the Grimlorgs who share our same vision of
supporting the community.
Speaker 6 (16:04):
But this year, we have four live bands. We're gonna
start with Fat Forces, they'll be there. We have The Tip,
we have a country band called The Vale, and we
also have a recording artists in Middle Fingers Unfold and
they'll be recording a live video of their new song
(16:25):
Burning Rubber.
Speaker 4 (16:26):
At the show.
Speaker 8 (16:27):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
I know Bernie and them. They're awesome. They've been on
some of our shows. So Rocket, let me ask you
what other type of things other than the live events,
which is really like a big part of the event,
But what other things are going to be here at
this event.
Speaker 5 (16:40):
Well, we're gonna have vendors of all different types from
a motorcycle, jewelry, micro jewelry, paraphernalia, beef jerky. There'll be
people there selling all kinds of T shirts. We've had jellies,
so there'll be a on of vendors there. There'll be
(17:01):
some food trucks. Ten dollars get you in the door,
and that will also get you a meal that we
cook and provide for our guests out of appreciation for
the people coming out to support us.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
And let me tell you, I've eaten their food before.
It's delicious. So we'll have all of that.
Speaker 5 (17:18):
We'll have a charity auction, we'll have door prizes, and
we're also going to have a bike rodeo.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
So there'll be some.
Speaker 5 (17:29):
Competition amongst both the clubs and the independence friendly competition, yes,
very friendly competition, and it's just a great time. It's
family friendly. So the beer is cold and cheap. The
VFW will be selling the beer and that's kind of
(17:51):
a sideline benefit. We're bringing it back home to the VFW.
The last couple of years we were in Cinelli, but
we're bringing it back home. We've done a lot of
work to help the VFW on Kananea and it's just
going to be a great time.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
And again, not only will you be supporting Ayuda, you'll
also be supporting that VFW post. And of course the
money that's raised, all of it are a portion of
is going to go to Ayuda. So, Nadia, we're running
out of time, but I do want the people to
know where are these funds used? How is it used
with Ayuda? Okay, well, I'll tell you.
Speaker 4 (18:27):
Fourteen years ago when we first started our collaboration with him,
we gave out about twenty turkeys only, and just last
year we gave a little bit over two hundred and
fifty turkeys. So you're coming out and supporting this event
will help us reach our goal. Maybe hitting three hundred
would be great. Awesome just two plus three hundred families,
that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
Thanksgiving not a part of yours, but I've been a
part of Turkey deliveries. I love seeing the faces and
how much it helps, especially with food prices where they
are right now. So again, the fourteenth annual Motorcycle Event
May eighteenth. It starts at noon at the VFW Post
one zero one zero three five to four at ninety
one seventy and air Lane. Ten dollars. Donation. You're gonna
(19:06):
get live auction, music, raffles, door prizes. You're gonna get
to participate or see the motorcycle games will be beer specials.
For more information on Facebook, go to Ayuda Inc. A
yu Da Inc. On Instagram Ayula al Paso from a
flyer of the event. On Facebook, you can go to
the al Paso Motorcycle Coalition and of course ninety six
(19:28):
point three, k Hey Country Sunday ninety nine point nine
and Pouno two point one. We will post pictures more
information about the event. But thank you all for being
here with me today.
Speaker 4 (19:37):
Thank you so much, Thank.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
You, thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Welcome back to the al Paso Public Forum. I am
your host, Amberbanda, and today we have two people from
the Family Resiliency Center, a part of the United Way
of al Paso County. We have here with us Alberto Ruiz,
Senior director of Community Resiliency Betho. Thank you for being
here with me today.
Speaker 9 (20:03):
Thank you for having Mesamber, of.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
Course, thank you for letting me call you, Betho. It's
easier for.
Speaker 7 (20:07):
Me and for me too.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
And America Breceta, outreach and Communications coordinator for the Family
Resiliency Center America, thank you for being here with me today.
Speaker 7 (20:17):
Thank you for having me Amber.
Speaker 2 (20:19):
Of course. So we're going to talk a little bit
first about the Family Resiliency Center the FRC. Again, it
is a part of the United Way of al Paso County, Betho,
I'm gonna turn it to you now. What is the FRC.
Speaker 9 (20:32):
Well, the FORC is a place of healing created in
direct response to the August third mass violence incident that
happened here in Opasso. We're created back in nineteen and
we have been providing services to the community with this
sole intention of helping every single old Passo want achieve
long term healing.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
And so, what are some of the things that you've
done in the past. I mean, we just recently had
you know, very actively the people going in and giving
their statements and people still you know, bringing up memories.
What events have you had in the past to help
the community get through this.
Speaker 9 (21:08):
Well, the approach that we take is we try to
make mental health services as accessible and approachable to the
entire community. So to do that, we provide regular clinical
counseling services, but also non traditional which for a community
in which mental health is a stigma, they work really
well because they don't require a lot of disclosure. You
(21:29):
can just go have an experience, relax and it also
primes a lot of people to move on and open
up to counseling. So that's what we have been doing
along with resiliency Navigation services, that is one of our
main operations. When you come to the center, you will
be assigned a navigator. That navigator will meet with you
and will design a personalized care plan for each person
(21:52):
that comes like to the FRC that includes not just
addressing your mental health needs, but also your basic needs
and education only needs if you have the need for
that as well.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
Wow, because that's the foundation, right, So that's very important.
That's amazing, And so what we want to talk about
today is being able to be a part of these
events that Betho was talking about that are not so invasive,
but it still gives you a chance to heal and
take care of your own mental health and kind of
like an out of the box way. So America, let's
talk about these upcoming events. There's some sound baths and
(22:24):
some yoga coming up for the community. Can you tell
us a little bit more about those?
Speaker 7 (22:29):
Of course, of course, Ember, we're going to have three
sound bat sessions for the month of May. We're creating
a campaign Mind Matters for Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
Two of those are going to be at our Healing
Guarding at a Scout at the park. On the seventeenth,
we're going to have a sound bat session at eight
am with instruments of healing. And on the thirty first,
(22:49):
we're going to have a yoga session with also instruments
of healing leading it, which will also happen at a
scout at the park. Both of those are open to
the community. We encourage you to visit our website so
you can register. Upon registering, you will be given a
parking pass which will allow you to come in for free.
And then we're going to have two other soundbat sessions.
(23:10):
One of them is going to be on the tenth
of May. That one will happen at our Family Resiliency
Center which is located at sixty three fourteen Delta. That
one will be at ten thirty am. And then the
second one will be on the twenty fourth, also a
soundbat session sixty three fourteen Delta ten thirty am. And
I just want to mention to bring your yoga mats
(23:31):
and your water bottles so that you're ready to go.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
So again, all of these events are happening on a Saturday,
It sounds like Saturday mornings, and they're either happening at
the FRC at sixty three fourteen delta or at Askatata
at the Healing Garden. If you haven't been, please go
look at it. It's basically a memorial to those that
lost their lives in the shooting. And it's a very
beautiful thing to see. And if you're confused with the dates,
(23:54):
don't worry. Unitedway, i'llpasso dot org. Also on Instagram, I'll
passounited dot f and on Facebook, I'll pass the United
Family Resiliency Center. They'll have the QR COLD. They'll have
more information there. But I wanted to ask you America,
what is a sound bath and how can it help
with your mental health?
Speaker 7 (24:12):
A sound bath is a it's like a meditation session.
We have Sessad who is from Instruments of Healing. He
is so great at coming in and putting everyone to
just kind of navigate through their minds with the they're
like bulls and he makes like sound come out of
them and with a different wavelengths. It really helps you,
(24:36):
like it helps you soothe your mind. So that's kind
of what you can expect. You get to lay down
and just relax. Some people even fall asleep, and it's
really cool to see because when they wake up and
they you know it's over. They tell us like, I
feel like I went to a place that I hadn't
been in a while, or like they just reach a
point of of meditation that they hadn't been able to
(24:57):
do on their own.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
And because I've done sound I've done yoga. And for
those that aren't aware, there's brain waves that well, they're
in your brain right and certain wavelengths can cause certain emotions,
can put your brain in a certain place. And what
these sound bats do is they put the brain waves.
I don't remember what spectrum, the ra be, whatever, but
it puts you in a meditative state so you can
(25:20):
actually calm down, you can de stress.
Speaker 4 (25:22):
You know.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
It's like when you put yourself on the charge after
the battery is running low. It kind of helps you
to recharge. And the cool thing about this is that
everyone's gathered there together with the same idea, the same
idea to come together to heal. A majority of them,
you can even guess, you know, it's to reflect on
the tragic events or just for whatever you have going on.
(25:43):
We all have some kind of stress. Same thing with yoga.
Yoga really helps you to, you know, internally, just focus
on your breathing. You always say when you're panicked or
you're in traffic, just breathe. And that's what yoga is
is just breathing with movement. And so I think again, Betel,
like you were saying these out of the box ways
of you don't have to go and tell everyone your woes.
You know, I've cried during yoga, I admit, and I
(26:05):
am not a crier. I'm one of those that I
need to go hard and these just they really help
you to come and focus just thirty minutes free do
it with the community. Betho, is there anything else that
you would like to tell the listening audience.
Speaker 9 (26:19):
I want to tell everyone that this is like with
all the legal proceedings, the sentence in hearing, this is
any opportunity for the community to heal. We don't have
the uncertainty of what's going to happen to the perpetrator,
like we finally close that chapter, and it is any
opportunity for everyone to take care of their mental health
because we were all affected a little bit or like
(26:41):
a lot with the as violence incident of Fogust third
and we are here to help. Please, like you understand
that trauma may take up to like four to five
years to start showing science when it's like secondary trauma
or other type of trauma. Like so just because you
haven't felt it before, if you feel like you need
help and it is related to others, third, please feel
(27:04):
free to reach out and we are here to help.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
Yeah, there's closure now, but with closure, there also needs
to be a new level of healing and America, is
there anything else that you would like to tell the
listening audience.
Speaker 7 (27:15):
We just want to invite you all to be a
part of all of these events because, like Betho said,
even though it's been a few years since the incident,
people are still processing their emotions and it's just a
good opportunity to continue and or begin that healing journey
with us.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
Definitely, and it's okay, we don't have a yoga mat.
Just go get a towel, just show up, find a
soft patch of grass, and you know, be a part
of these amazing events. They're here for you. I've seen
it firsthand. I love what they do. The Family Resiliency
Center a part of the United Way of al Passo
County on Instagram, I'll Passlunited dot FRC on Facebook I'll
pass United Family Resiliency Center and you can find them
(27:53):
at United Way Ilpasso dot org. Betho and America. Thank
you so much for being here with me today.
Speaker 1 (27:59):
Thanks out for having us.
Speaker 7 (28:00):
Yes, thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (28:01):
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 Epforum at iHeartMedia dot com
or call us at nine one five three five one
five four zero zero. Tune in again next week for
(28:22):
another additional of El Paso Public Forum. The preceding program
was recorded at the studios of iHeartRadio El Paso.
Popular Podcasts
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.