Conversations and Connections

71. A Conversation with Our Spring Interns - Conversations and Connections

As the spring college semester wraps up, we must say goodbye to our spring college interns.  In this episode, Stuart talks with interns Madi and Cynthia about what their experience has been like as interns for the Family Crisis Center and what their future plans hold for each of them!

70. A Conversation with Investigator Brandan Lovell with the Nacogdoches Sheriff’s Department

With the month of April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Stuart has a conversation with Sgt. Brandan Lovell with the Nacogdoches Sheriff's Department on his duties as an investigator of sexual assaults in the county.  

69. A Conversations with Stephen F. Austin State University Title IX Compliance Specialist Kate West - Conversations and Connections

In the episode of Conversations and Connections, Stuart talks with SFA grad student Kate West, who also happens to work at the University's Title IX office.  Stuart and Kate talk about how colleges and universities handle sexual assault reporting and what students can do if they experience an incident of sexual assault. 

68. A Conversation with Sexual Assault Services Coordinator Marilyn Toc about Sexual Assault Awareness Month - Conversations and Connections

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  In this episode of Conversations and Connections, Stuart talks with agency Sexual Assault Services Coordinator Marilyn Toc about what the month means and why our community needs to be aware of this issue. 

67. A Throwback Conversation with Program Director Glenna Harkness - Conversations and Connections

We're taking another listen to this episode from 2020!  When most people think about the Family Crisis Center of East Texas, our safe house, or "shelter" is one of the first things that come to mind.  In this episode, Stuart sits down with Program Director Glenna Harkness about how the safe house operates and the requirements for those who reside there.  Remember, if you need services from the Family Crisis Center of East Texas, help is just a phone call away via our 24-hour hotline at 1-800-828-7233!

66. A Conversation About Mindfulness Meditation and its Benefits -Conversations and Connections

Mindfulness meditation is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as to "center" yourself.  In this episode, Stuart talks with agency counselor Matthew Craven about what mindfulness is, it's benefits, and we'll even conduct a brief session for you!  You might want to check out mindful.org for more information!

65. A Conversation Flashback with BIPP Coordinator Will Windham - Conversations and Connections

In this week's episode we're going back in time to October 2020 with a conversation with agency BIPP Coordinator Will Windham.  BIPP stands for Battering Intervention and Prevention Program, and is geared towards men who have been violent, abusive, and/or controlling in their intimate family relationships.  Stuart and Will talk about what services the BIPP program provides and the need for such services.

64. A Conversation About Human Trafficking Slang - Conversations and Connections

The world of Human Trafficking has it's own slang and lingo that is used by both perpetrators and victims.  In this episode, Stuart again talks with Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Specialist Maria Villarreal about these words and their meanings.  A word of caution, some of the words and their descriptions may be triggering for some.  

63. A Conversation with Janet Kasper of the Office of the Texas Governor’s Child Sex Trafficking Team - Conversations and Connections

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month.  Human Trafficking is a problem that's not just in the big cities, but it affects the smaller rural areas of East Texas as well.  Simply put, human trafficking, and especially sex trafficking is sexual assault. This episode of Conversations and Connections features a conversation with the Family Crisis Center's Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Specialist Maria Villarreal as well as Janet Kasper with the Office of the Texas Governor's Child Sex Trafficking Team.  This is valuable information that everyone needs to hear!

62. A Conversation with Angelina County and Cities Health District Community Health Worker Donna Grimes - Conversations and Connections

Just about everyone has heard of the "Health District", but what is it that they actually do?  In this episode, Stuart talks with Community Health Worker Donna Grimes about the services the Angelina County and Cities Health District provides, who qualifies for services from the Health District, and much more!