El Paso Public Forum

Segment 1: October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month!
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Do you know someone with a disability in El Paso having a hard time finding employment? Then this is the segment for you! PRIDE Industries has been helping people with disabilities find employment opportunities and shift the work paradigm since 1966. 
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Amber Banda talks with Darelyn Pazdel, Senior Vice President of Workforce Inclusion for PRIDE Industries, a California based company with a large footprint here in the Sun City at Ft. Bliss. They can help locals find various jobs, get various trainings, and help secure employment on base, with or without having a military background.
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Listen to learn how you can apply, programs offered, and the benefits of having a more inclusive workplace as an employer. 
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Call 844- I AM ABLE (426-2253) or visit PRIDEIndustries.com for more information
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Segment 2: NAMI Walks in El Paso
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NAMI of El Paso is a grassroots organization of volunteers dedicated to changing El Paso's experience and understanding of serious mental health conditions.
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Amber talks again with Isidro Torres, MBA, Executive Director for NAMI EP. They are having a huge event coming up Saturday October 10th at Ascarate Park. It is their "NAMI Walks El Paso," a massive walk to come together and create support. The walk will go twice around the lake. Registration starts at 8am, opening ceremonies start at 9:30 am and the walk starts at 10am. Registration is free.
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Go to NAMIEP.org for more information
Crisis Hotline: 988 or (915) 779-1800
211: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
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El Paso Villa Maria is having a Wine & Tapas fundraising event October 8th from 6-10pm. For more information and to purchase tickets please go to elpasovillamaria.org









 WATCH US ON YOUTUBE! @AmberBanda915 NEW EPISODES EVERY SUNDAY AT 8AM! You can also follow @amberbanda915, 2963KHEY Country, @Power102 and @Sunny999 on Instagram and/or Facebook for pictures of our guests and leave a comment. Be a part of the good going on in our community!

Segment 1: Come Par-Tee with a Purpose with Western Tech!
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Growing up I wish I knew how much value there actually is in learning a trade and trade schools. They take less time, are more flexible with your schedule, and can cost significantly less than a traditional University.
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Western Technical College has been in El Paso for over 56 years. In this interview I chat with Lynda King, Marketing Director for Western Tech in El Paso Texas, about their various degrees, scholarships, and about my college experience. 
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They are having their 2nd Annual Golf Classic, "Par-Tee With A Purpose," Friday October 16th at Butterfield Trail Golf Course. Tee off is at 8:30am with a reception to follow in the afternoon. Funds raised will go to the Paso del Norte Community Foundation and to help fund scholarships for their students.
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Visit www.westertech.edu for more information on the golf tournament, classes, and more. 
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Segment 2: 4th Annual Family Justice and Wellness Conference with the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence
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The Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, (CASFV), is a well-known organization here in the Sun City helping women, men and children who are victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Here I am talking with Sandra Garcia, Executive Director for the CASFV, about their free resources to the community including the family resource center, rape crisis center, educational presentations for various age groups, community outreach opportunities, volunteer victim advocacy training and more.
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On October 13th they are having their 4th Annual Family Justice and Wellness Conference. This conference will bring together various mental health organizations, people who work in legal, victim advocacy, law enforcement, social work professionals and many more, all under one roof to help YOU. Th event will be Oct 13-15 at the Summit Ballroom Conference Center located at 120 N Festival Dr. The event is free, but you must go to CASFV.org to register.
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24 hours crisis hotline: 915-593-7300 or 1-800-727-0511


 WATCH US ON YOUTUBE! @AmberBanda915 NEW EPISODES EVERY SUNDAY AT 8AM! You can also follow @amberbanda915, 2963KHEY Country, @Power102 and @Sunny999 on Instagram and/or Facebook for pictures of our guests and leave a comment. Be a part of the good going on in our community!

Segment 1: Rudolph Helping Hands, an Initiative from Rudolph Auto Group
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Rudolph Helping Hands was created to give back to the 915 community, and they're back at it with their 3rd Annual Run!
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Amber Banda talks with Board Directors Danielle Alva and Heather Hinojos about past events and how this organization has been helping since its inception in 2021. 
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Join them this year for their 3rd Annual "Changing Lives in the 915" 5K and 1 mile walk, this year benefitting the Apple Trea Creative Center. Saturday, October 1st at The Elmont event center on the west side, 240 W Castellano, at 5:30pm. This will be an evening run with beautiful views and an afterparty! Trophies for various age groups and much more. Sign up at rudolphhelpinghands.com
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Find them on social media @RudolphHelpingHands, and see their interview on YouTube @amberbanda915 
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Segment 2: Diligentz MC & Protect All Children, Inc.
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The bikers are back at it again! Amber Banda talks with Tools, President of Diligentz MC, and Big Monkey, Sgt at Arms for Diligentz MC. Learn the story behind the creation of this organization, their road names, their back patch, and what they do for the children in our community.
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They are inviting the community to their 1st Annual Bike Run on Saturday, October 3rd. Event starts with registration at the American Legion Post 58 in the Northeast, (4724 Vulcan Avenue) from 10am-12pm. 2nd and final stop at the VFW on 9170 Cananea from 12pm-5pm. Registration is $15pp or $20 per couple. Proceeds to benefit Children of Diligentz. 
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No matter how many wheels you take to get there, you are invited to go support! For more information, find them on Instagram and Facebook @diligentz, or email [email protected] for more information.

 WATCH US ON YOUTUBE! @AmberBanda915 NEW EPISODES EVERY SUNDAY AT 8AM! You can also follow @amberbanda915, 2963KHEY Country, @Power102 and @Sunny999 on Instagram and/or Facebook for pictures of our guests and leave a comment. Be a part of the good going on in our community!

Segment 1: "Woman up"..."Take it like a woman"...."Cowgirl Up"!
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Amber Banda interviews Gina Roe-Davis, Founder of the Cowgirl Up Charitable Fund, under the Paso Del Norte Community Foundation.
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Cowgirl Up was created for young females and women to be able to find space in the arts industry. It's not only a fund. They also provide mentorship, career change support, financial support, community and outreach programs and more to amplify the voices and talents of females wanting more opportunities as a musician, artist, in marketing, in radio, etc.  Whether you have a daughter who could be inspired from hearing a female talk about being a radio program director or you are a female who is interested in becoming a musician, artist, or own a music store, etc., Cowgirl Up is for you!
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This year Cowgirl Up has partnered with Way Out West Fest, (happening September 26), in Downtown El Paso to unveil the first Cowgirl Up Boot Collection Public Art Initiative to Celebrate Women, Western Heritage and the Power of Giving. Each boot will be on an 8ft tall canvas and painted by 8 commissioned artists: Citlali Delgado, Faridi Buhaya, Gitzel Moncivais, Carolina "KAKO" Villareal, Ashley Cardenas, & Yoatzin Gutierrez.
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Learn more about Cowgirl Up at www.cowgirlupfund.org
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Segment 2: El Paso Border Run to Support the El Paso Children's Hospital.
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What started as a car club wanting to give back to the community has grown into one of the largest motorcycle runs in El Paso.
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Amber Banda talks with Frank Camacho, member of the El Paso Border Run, and Josue Ornelas, Children's Miracle Network Specialist. Frank talks about the origins of the El Paso Border Run and how it went from cars to bikes, and what kind of vehicles he has. Josue discusses how the money is spent and how much it helps children locally and talks with Frank about how much their involvement throughout the years has been a huge support.
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The El Paso Border Run is happening Saturday, September 19. Registration is from 9-11am at Barnett Harley Davidson, heading to Four80's Sports Bar & Grill at 11:30, with the final stop at Doug's Saloon. There will be food, dancing, drinks, raffles, music, and more. While this is technically a motorcycle run, it's open to everyone, bike or car, who wants to support the local children's hospital and have some fun while doing it no matter how many wheels you have. Find them on socials for more information @elpasoborderrun and @EPCHFoundation

 WATCH US ON YOUTUBE! @AmberBanda915 NEW EPISODES EVERY SUNDAY AT 8AM! You can also follow @amberbanda915, 2963KHEY Country, @Power102 and @Sunny999 on Instagram and/or Facebook for pictures of our guests and leave a comment. Be a part of the good going on in our community!

Segment 1: WE HIKE
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Whether you're an experienced or novice hiker, choose to walk, roll or crawl, or just want to be involved in a growing and supportive community within our mountains, WE HIKE is an organization built for you. Mountains, city streets, you name it; as long as it's a safe place to hike, WE HIKE will take you there.
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Amber Banda interviews Lisa Enriquez, President and Founder of WE HIKE. Not only does WE HIKE offer group hikes and walks across and near our city, they also offer safety classes to make sure people are staying safe in the heat and cold while enjoying the outdoors. WE HIKE has frequent hikes and events with different themes and with various other community partners.
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Join them for their 2nd Annual WE HIKE for Veterans Event 2-Day Series: Awareness, Connection and Prevention.
1st Event: Thursday September 10 at 6:45am: gravel trail walk followed by veteran-led yoga at 8:15 am
2nd event: Monday September 21st at 6:45pm: evening sunset walk followed by 8pm sunset yoga
Both events will be at Chuck Heinrich Memorial Park in Northeast El Paso, (11055 Loma Del Norte Dr) and both events are FREE
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Follow them on socials @wehikeadventure or visit www.wehikeadventure.org for a calendar of upcoming hikes and events!
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Segment 2: Limb Savers Society-Helping prevent unnecessary amputations....with PUPPIES?
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In the U.S. there are over 150,000 amputations done annually. 75% of those cases never had a basic workup done to possibly avoid a major amputation. Not only that, but patients also who have had an amputation have a 25% mortality rate within a year, and a 60% mortality rate within 3 years. Those are higher rates of mortality when compared to certain breast and colon cancers!
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Amber Banda talks Dr. Laiq Raja, Interventional Cardiovascular Physician and Founder and Program Director for the Limb Savers Society, as well as Alejandra Gutierrez, Research Coordinator for the Limb Savers Society. The goal of the Limb Savers Society is to educate the public, physicians, health care workers and patients on best practices for treatments for various diseases and health conditions that can lead to possible major amputations. They advocate for patients through their multidisciplinary team-based approach and empowering patients with resources and guidance.
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Join them for their FREE Paws for PADS Event Saturday September 19 from 10am-1pm at Album Park. There will be health screening, resources, and more. Dog walk starts at 11:30am.
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Follow them on social media @LimbSaversSociety.
Call their hotline at (915) 243-FOOT (3668)
For more information and to take a fast, free screening to assess your risk of PAD (peripheral artery disease), visit www.limbsaverssociety.org
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(Btw my score was 10-15-Amber)


 WATCH US ON YOUTUBE! @AmberBanda915 NEW EPISODES EVERY SUNDAY AT 8AM! You can also follow @amberbanda915, 2963KHEY Country, @Power102 and @Sunny999 on Instagram and/or Facebook for pictures of our guests and leave a comment. Be a part of the good going on in our community!

Segment 1: El Paso 9/11 Heroes Run and Memorial Mile
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Amber Banda talks with veteran and local Run Director Cesar Cervantes about the upcoming 5K Run, 5K Ruck and El Paso Fallen Heroes Memorial Mile Walk to honor fallen military and 1st responders from 9/11/01 and all wars since.
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Cesar is a veteran from El Paso. He started being involved with the race years ago as a photographer and is looking for support from the El Paso community to make sure the race continues to grow each year. Each year this race is organized in honor of a local fallen military or 1st responder from 9/11 and after.
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The event is happening Sept 12 at Veteran's Park in Northeast El Paso. You can sign up for the 5K run, 5K ruck, 1 mile walk or to volunteer at:
 9/11 Heroes Run - El Paso, Texas
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If you'd like to volunteer, nominate a loved one for future events, donate, or get more information, find them on Instagram and Facebook @911HeroeRunElPaso
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Segment 2: Girls On the Run El Paso
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Calling all Non-runners, runners, wheelers, walker, joggers, guardians of girls in grades 3-8, coaches, and anyone who understands how important physical and mental wellbeing is to young females. There is a new non-profit in town that you need to know about!
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Girls On The Run is a non-profit aimed at using physical activity to teach essential life skills. Think of a run group for girls in grades 3-8 where running is optional, but learning empathy, goal setting, and other life skills is not. Amber Banda talks with Bailey Davie, Executive Director, and Danielle Adams, Board Member for Girls On The Run El Paso. 
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This organization was created after seeing an increase in depression, anxiety, and self-harming patterns in young girls, as young as 3rd grade. GOTR works with schools across the city and trained coaches to bring them together and work towards a final 5K, meeting twice a week for 10 weeks in their fall and spring seasons. Training includes physical activity games that build up not only physical fitness but teach life skills at the same time. They also work on a community give-back project together. This year in addition to their 3-5 grade groups, they have their new 6-8 grade run groups, because (speaking from experience), being a young girl in middle school can be tough.
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If you want to know if this is available at your child's school, if you would like for this to be available at your child's school for next run season, or if you would like to support, get more info, volunteer, or donate, find them on social media @GOTRElPaso on Instagram and @Girls On The Run El Paso on Facebook. You can also visit Girlsontherunelpaso.org


 WATCH US ON YOUTUBE! @AmberBanda915 NEW EPISODES EVERY SUNDAY AT 8AM! You can also follow @amberbanda915, 2963KHEY Country, @Power102 and @Sunny999 on Instagram and/or Facebook for pictures of our guests and leave a comment. Be a part of the good going on in our community!

Segment 1: Power 102 Mixer Class Reunion to support Vision for El Paso!
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Amber Banda interviews Mike D, Director for Vision for El Paso. Vision for El Paso is a non-profit that helps people with visual impairments in the local community with resources, funding, and others various support.
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If you grew up in El Paso, you are most likely familiar with Power 102.1 radio station and all the DJs and on-air talents that kept you moving and grooving over the years, Mike D included. They're coming back for a fun and nostalgic event to benefit Vision for El Paso; The Power 102 Mixer Class Reunion! Hear their never before told stories and enjoy their music in this once-in-a-lifetime event. 
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Power 102 Mixer Class Reunion
Saturday Sept. 5th- 6pm
SRB Events Space: 11501 Cedar Oak
$35
Proceeds benefiting Vision for El Paso
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Get your tickets now before they sell out! Go to eventbrite.com
Follow on Instagram and Facebook @Power102 or @Mikedee
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Segment 2: El Paso Period Project
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Periods....tampons...blood...condoms...
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If you're like me, you grew up in a household where menstruation and periods were not an open conversation. Menstruation and reproductive health is often still a taboo subject with a lot of misinformation, shame and awkwardness when bringing it up. Well, the ladies from the El Paso Period Project are here to help!
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What started as a college initiative has grown into a community resource, but they need your help!
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Amber Banda interviews Rachel Molina, President, and Melissa Castaneda, Outreach Coordinator for the El Paso Period Project. These 2 college students are on a mission to help people feel comfortable talking about menstrual and reproductive health. They align themselves with experts in these subjects to be able to provide education, resources, and items such as period packs for those in need.
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Whether you're a single dad trying to navigate the tampon aisle or an older female like myself on the end of her period journey, they can help. And so can you! They are looking for people to donate items such as condoms, tampons, heating pads, give workshops, etc.
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Contact them on Instagram @elpaso.projectperiod.

 WATCH US ON YOUTUBE! @AmberBanda915 NEW EPISODES EVERY SUNDAY AT 8AM! You can also follow @amberbanda915, 2963KHEY Country, @Power102 and @Sunny999 on Instagram and/or Facebook for pictures of our guests and leave a comment. Be a part of the good going on in our community!

Segment 1: Family Service of El Paso.
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Family Service of El Paso is one of El Paso's best kept secrets, which shouldn't be so unknown! They deliver mental health services and provide resources for adults and children wanting to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
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Amber Banda interviews Alejandra Sanchez, LPC and new Sr. Executive Director, as well as Linda Gonzalez-Hengsen, Former Board Chair and current Consultant for Family Service of El Paso.
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For more information on their resources and services, both in person and virtual, find them on Instagram and Facebook @Family Service of El Paso, or go to familyerviceofelpaso.org 
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Segment 2: Big Brother's Big Sister's Dance for Kid's Sake!
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It's back! El Paso's version of "Dancing With The Stars' to benefit local youth. Amber Banda talks with Rebecca Romero, Development Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso. Having been a past participant and judge for this event, Amber talks about her experience and about this year's participants!
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There are so many ways for you to support! Of course, you can go to the event which is the best and most fun way! Make a night of it. Cheer on your favorites, agree or disagree with the judges, see fantastic performances from participating volunteer dance schools, and shop at one of the vendor tables. There will also be a silent auction, cash bar, live music in between and more.
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Dance for Kids' Sake
August 29 at the Plaza Theatre
6pm
GA $50
Get your tickets now at BBBSEP.org
Instagram and Facebook @BBBSEP

 WATCH US ON YOUTUBE! @AmberBanda915 NEW EPISODES EVERY SUNDAY AT 8AM! You can also follow @amberbanda915, 2963KHEY Country, @Power102 and @Sunny999 on Instagram and/or Facebook for pictures of our guests and leave a comment. Be a part of the good going on in our community!

Segemnt 1: The Amigo Airsho is BACK!
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Amber Banda talks with Vianey Esparza, Director of Marketing for the Amigo Airsho. They talk about what's new this year including various seating and ticket options, the theme, how you can volunteer, their othr STEAM initiatives and much more!
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The Amigo Airsho happening Oct 24-25 at Biggs Army Airfield. For tickets and more information go to aimgoairsho.com and follow them on social media @amigoairshoep on Instagram and @Amigo Airsho on Facebook.

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Segment 2: EPISD Council of PTAs....Not just for EPISD!!
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Amber Banda talks with Alejandra Ramirez, VP of Communications, and Ana Diaz, VP of Advocacy, for the EPISD Council of PTAs. they talk about their mission, the importance of family engagement, volunteerism and advocacy through PTAs, the difference between PTAs and PTOs, and how YOU can make a difference no matter what school district you're in.
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They're having a Partners & Vendors Resource Fair from 11-2 on Saturday, August 29th at Texas Tech (130 Rick Frances, across from UMC) for everyone wanting to know more about being a part of or forming a PTA. Join them for invaluable resources and information to help you support your child's school and make a real difference. 
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They are still open for vendors! Vendor fees go towards supporting High School senior scholarships.
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For more information, go to Home | EPISD Council of PTAs
Follow them on social media @El Paso ISD Council of PTAs on Facebook and @episdcouncilpta on IG.

 WATCH US ON YOUTUBE! @AmberBanda915 NEW EPISODES EVERY SUNDAY AT 8AM! You can also follow @amberbanda915, 2963KHEY Country, @Power102 and @Sunny999 on Instagram and/or Facebook for pictures of our guests and leave a comment. Be a part of the good going on in our community!

On this special anti-bullying episode of the El Paso Public Forum, Amber Banda talks with Doc, President of Guardians of the Children, Sun City Chapter, (GOC).
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GOC is an international non-profit motorcycle rganization focused on child advocy, incuding supporting children who have to testify in court against an abuser, participating in community events that promote child welfare, and giving anti-bullying presentations.
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In this segment, Amber and Doc talk about bullying and going back to school; What is bullying? Signs of bullying? How you can work with your kids at home to empower them to stand up for themselves and others.
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Listen to this special segment and practice these words at home with your kids.
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Visit them at GOCsuncity.com and follow them on social media @Guardians Of The Children Sun City

 WATCH US ON YOUTUBE! @AmberBanda915 NEW EPISODES EVERY SUNDAY AT 8AM! You can also follow @amberbanda915, 2963KHEY Country, @Power102 and @Sunny999 on Instagram and/or Facebook for pictures of our guests and leave a comment. Be a part of the good going on in our community!