Conversations and Connections

Vallie Cross is in charge of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Deep East Texas' PADRES (Parenting Awareness and Drug Risk Education Services) program.  In this episode, Vallie talks with Stuart about the program, what all it entails, and the need for such a program in East Texas.

Getting men to talk about healthy masculinity is not an easy task... especially in Texas.  But that's exactly what Emiliano Diaz De Leon does in his role as the Men's Engagement Specialist with the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault.  In this episode Conversations and Connections, Stuart talks with Emiliano about his role at TAASA, and a special project he has been a part of for almost a year now known as Texas Men SPEAK.  If you would like to be a part of this program for men, email Emiliano at [email protected]

In this episode, Stuart talks with Clay Alverson, Executive Director of the Men's Fieldhouse.  Clay talks about the services that the Men's Fieldhouse provides men in need, from job skills to how to cope with what life gives them.

Matt Craven is the newest counselor at the Family Crisis Center.  In this episode, Matt talks with Stuart about his experience as a new counselor, his feelings on being a man counseling women who have survived domestic violence or sexual assault situations, and why he chose his career path.

Today's youth are subjected to many marketing messages with regards to alcohol and tobacco products, and it's The Coalition's mission to help combat those messages.  The Coalition executive director Sharon Kruk talks with Stuart about how they go about the task of promoting a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle to the young people of East Texas, among other projects The Coalition plays a part in.  

There's a student organization on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University knows as SWAT (Student Wellness Action Team).  Stuart talks with SFA grad student Justifer Davis, who's an officer with the SWAT organization about what their mission is and how like-minded students can get involved. 

In this episode, Stuart talks with the Family Crisis Center's newest member of the Prevention Team, Rebecca Martinez, who also serves as the agency's Student Advocate at Stephen F. Austin State University.   Rebecca tells Stuart what exactly a student advocate does, the services the agency can provide for students, and why she chose her career path. 

Celesse Goeyns is the Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Diboll.  Stuart talks with Celesse about the services the Boys and Girls Club provides to East Texas kids and why she feels the work she does there is so important.

Gary Roberts with the Brown Family Health Center is a man with many hats.  In this episode, Gary talks about everything from educating the community about STD's, to his ministry to area sex workers, to gardening.   

Consent is one of the main cornerstones of the Prevention message we bring to students and the community.  In this episode, the Family Crisis Center's Prevention Team talks about what exactly is consent, why it's so important, and how you can start introducing the concept of consent to young children.