Conversations and Connections

We continue our conversation with the agency's Human Trafficking Specialist Maria Villarreal.  We talk about the differences between human trafficking and sex trafficking, some of the myths associated with human trafficking, and more. 

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and we're devoting the entire month of on the topic.  Stuart sits down with Maria Villarreal to talk about this all-important issue and how it affects East Texas.

In this episode, the tables and turned and Development Director Melissa Wheeler is asking the questions to Stuart Burson, our Prevention Coordinator.  Stuart talks about the importance of prevention work and how it goes much deeper than traditional risk reduction methods.

The Family Crisis Center of East Texas wouldn't be nearly as effective if the community didn't know about us, or if it weren't for the tireless work of our volunteers and interns.  In this episode, Stuart sits down with Greta Rich, the agency's Community Outreach Coordinator to talk about the importance of getting the word out about the agency, how the public can volunteer with us, and the agency's annual Adopt a Family program.  

In this episode, Stuart sits down with Verna Hayter, the Self Sufficiency Advocate with the Family Crisis Center.  Verna talks about the agency's Transitional Housing program and the role it plays in helping domestic violence survivors become independent.  

The Prevention Team is back!  We'll take a look at how two scenes from a popular TV show and a movie represent unhealthy attitudes about gender roles and relationships, with a holiday theme.  

Believe it or not Christmas is almost here!  Stuart, Tiffany, and Will take a look at a couple of Christmas song classics and have a discussion on whether they are still appropriate in today's society, or are things blown out of proportion?  

Kim Riddle probably has one of the toughest jobs at the Family Crisis Center of East Texas.  As a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Nurse, it's her job to do a physical examination of a sexual assault survivor.  In this episode, Kim talks with Stuart about what her job entails, what goes on during an exam, and a fun way she uses to teach about the serious topic of sexually transmitted infections.  

Many survivors of relationship violence also experience some form of financial abuse.  Stuart sits down with Tiffany Walsh to talk about what financial abuse is and what the Family Crisis Center is doing to help clients who have experienced this type of abuse first hand. 

When people mention the Family Crisis Center of East Texas, one thing that's surely to come up are our thrift stores in both  Lufkin and Nacogdoches.  Both of these stores provide a lot of revenue for the agency every year, and also provide a valuable service to our clients as well as bargains for our shoppers.  Stuart sits down with the director of both of these stores, Lisa Jackman.  Stuart and Lisa talk about what it takes to run these stores, the benefits they provide, and they also talk about some of the more unique items that have been donated.