United and Resilient

Four years ago, the El Paso community changed forever. In this episode, we want to focus on the group of people who have decided to step up to the challenge and help our community heal after the August 3rd tragedy, our very own staff at the El Paso United Family Resiliency Center. 

You will get to know the FRC family and get an inside look at the healing journey of our community through the eyes of the people who work every day to ensure El Pasoans have the necessary resources to move forward in their healing. They will share their experiences at the FRC, and why they decided to join this family.

Physical performance is not just about being physically fit. For athletes to perform at their very best, they also have to refine their mental skills. An athlete's mind and body work in tandem to achieve success.

We will connect with Race El Paso President & Race Director, Gabriela Gallegos and Race Director, Naomi Briones. Both Gallegos and Briones are experienced recreational athletes. They will share their insights into how physical fitness, community, friendship, and overall well-being are key in keeping our mental health on track.

On the latest episode of the United & Resilient podcast, we discover how the continuous process of developing ourselves to achieve our greatest ability is vital to our mental health, success, and happiness. All of us have the ability to better control our emotions and negative thoughts. Tune in to learn how to build mental strength, techniques to better organize our minds and thoughts, and how to find peace and contentment with the things we cannot change.

This month's intermission segment, "Where Were You on August 3rd?" features our very own El Paso United Family Resiliency Center Interim Director, Alberto Ruiz. Ruiz gives us his personal account of the August 3, 2019 tragedy.

We begin Season 3 with Spiritual Resilience. In this episode, we learn how to maintain a positive spirit when facing adversity, stress, and trauma. At times, it is seeking strength through a higher power, regardless of your affiliation, in order to get through difficult situations. Spirituality enables us to be more resilient, and it enhances our well-being.

We speak with Pastor Michael E. Grady. Grady is a graduate of the United States Army Chaplain School. While on active duty, he served as Adjunct Instructor for students pursuing an advanced degree in New Testament Studies. He has served as the President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of El Paso, and is currently the Religious Advisor for the NAACP. In 2015, Grady established the Prince of Peace Christian Fellowship Church here in El Paso.

This month's intermission segment, "Where Were You on August 3rd?" features our very own El Paso United Family Resiliency Center Resource Specialist, Desiree Castillo. Castillo gives us her personal account of the August 3, 2019 tragedy.

In our last episode for the year, we discover the benefits of music. Music is all around us, regulating our feelings and bringing good vibes when we need it. It allows us to feel all the emotions that we experience in our lives and recall fond memories. Listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain, as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and boost energy. It can enhance brain activity and improve our health and well-being.

We converse with renowned international music artist, Zuill Bailey. Bailey is a Grammy-Award-winning American Cellist, who has produced more than 30 chart-topping titles, performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall, to name a few. He is the Artistic Director of El Paso Pro-Musica and a Professor of Cello at the University of Texas at El Paso.

This month's intermission segment, "Where Were You on August 3rd?" features the owner of Instruments of Healing and sound healing teacher, Cesar Lujan. Lujan gives us a personal account of the August 3, 2019 tragedy.

This episode of the United and Resilient podcast takes a holistic approach to health. We discover the benefits of Reiki and Yoga. These are methods of supporting the body and mind systems to their own natural healing processes. Reiki treats the whole person including emotions and mind to create beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace. Yoga improves general wellness by relieving stress, improving mental/emotional health, sleep, and balance.

On the first half of the episode we connect with Reiki Master Teacher and Owner of Intuitive Wellness with Michelle, Michelle Moskauski. On the second half, we converse with Michael Novotny. He is a Life Skill Coordinator for The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Endeavors and a Certified Yoga Instructor. Both practitioners provide support to the whole person, considering the physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. 

Our intermission segment “Where Were You on August 3rd?” features Clinic Director, ElizaBeth Duran from The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Endeavors. She leads a multidisciplinary team providing services to post-9/11 Veterans, active duty members and their families, and shares her personal story on the day of the August 3rd 2019 tragedy.

Three years ago today, El Paso and the rest of the nation witnessed a dark day in Texas history. Our border community endured a tragic event at a local shopping store. Our hearts still ache in sadness, but the community started pouring its love and support. State and local leaders responded, reflected, kept the memories alive of the 23 El Pasoans who we lost, and continue to stand united demonstrating our community’s resiliency.

We welcome Texas Senator Cesar Jose Blanco. Mr. Blanco is a member of the Texas Senate representing the people of Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties. His previous office was in the Texas House of Representatives where he served for three terms. He will take us to his first moments when hearing about the tragedy, handling arise challenges, and what future generations can expect in our sun city.

Featured this month on our intermission segment “Where were you on August 3rd?” is Strategic Consultant for Inner City Youth Leadership and Development Programs, and former Vice President of Community Impact at United Way of El Paso County, Christina Lamour. She helped create the El Paso United Family Resiliency Center and shares her personal account on the day of the August 3rd 2019 tragedy.

Hace tres años, El Paso y el resto de la nación fueron testigos de un día oscuro en la historia de Texas. Nuestra comunidad fronteriza sufrió un evento trágico en una tienda comercial local.

Nuestros corazones todavía duelen de tristeza, pero la comunidad comenzó a derramar su amor y apoyo. Los líderes estatales y locales respondieron, reflexionaron, mantuvieron vivos los recuerdos de los 23 habitantes de El Paso que perdimos y continúan unidos demostrando la capacidad de recuperación de nuestra comunidad.

Damos la bienvenida al Senador de Texas César José Blanco. El Sr. Blanco es miembro del Senado de Texas que representa a la gente de los condados de Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis y Presidio. Su oficina anterior estuvo en la Cámara de Representantes de Texas, donde sirvió durante tres mandatos. Nos llevará a sus primeros momentos al enterarse de la tragedia, manejar los desafíos que se presenten y lo que las futuras generaciones pueden esperar en nuestra ciudad.

Presentado este mes en nuestro segmento intermedio "¿Dónde estabas el 3 de agosto?Consultora Estratégica para Inner City Youth Leadership and Development programs, y ex Vicepresidenta de Community Impact en United Way of El Paso County, Christina Lamour. Ayudó a crear el El Paso United Family Resiliency Center y comparte su cuenta personal el día de la tragedia del 3 de agosto de 2019.

In our third episode we take a close look and understanding of how two years after the COVID-19 pandemic, we are improvising, adapting, and overcoming our new normal in the community. Much has changed during the pandemic. We will learn of tips and self-care strategies that help to cope with the anxiety and depression from our altered daily routines.

Through this conversation, we connect with Emergence Health Network Licensed Professional Counselor Maricela Giner-Nevarez. She will explain how people are adapting to the new normal and resources necessary to function at school, work, as a person, and in our relationships with others. She shares strategies on how to live, or re-live, with friends, family, and co-workers and still follow the Covid-19 guidelines.

Our intermission segment “Where were you on August 3rd?” features Middle School Counselor Luz Gomez from MacArthur Elementary-Intermediate School. Mrs. Gomez shares her personal story when the school was the designated reunification site.

Welcome to our second episode, we connect with Dr. Richard Pineda, Associate Professor and Director of the Sam Donaldson Center for Communication Studies at the University of Texas at El Paso, and take a close look at how media can impact our mental health by shaping our ideas and understanding of current events.

On our “Where were you on August 3rd?” intermission segment, we feature CEO of Workforce Solutions Borderplex, Leila Melendez. Leila shares her personal story of the August 3rd, 2019 tragedy.