Conversations and Connections

Stuart sits down to talk with Noah Padgett, the Family Crisis Center's Legal Advocate for Nacogdoches County.  Noah talks about what the duties are of a legal advocate and how he helps survivors of relationship violence and sexual assault. 

Continuing the topic of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Stuart talks with the agency's Sexual Assault Services Coordinator Mallory Dotson about the importance of recognizing the issue in East Texas and how the agency serves survivors.  

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month across the country, and it means that the Family Crisis Center of East Texas will play host to numerous events in East Texas.  In this episode, Stuart talks with agency Development Director Melissa Wheeler about why it's important to recognize the month and how the Family Crisis Center plans to mark the occasion.  

Harold's House will be conducting an event in Lufkin on March 30th for community leaders to help them respond to incidents of child abuse. In this episode, Stuart talks with Harold's House Program Director Madelyn Pool about this event and the reason Harold's House is conducting it.  To register, visit Harold's House Facebook page, call 936-634-1999, or visit haroldshouse.org

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in the U.S.  Statistics say 1 in 3 teens will experience some form of dating violence.  In this episode, agency Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Kim Riddle talks with Stuart about the issue of dating violence among teens.

The Nac Can Coalition's job is to raise awareness and to conduct prevention efforts when it comes to alcohol and substance abuse.  In this episode, Stuart talks with Cindy Vargas and Melissa Russell about Nac Can's mission and how they work to make our community a safer place.

Homelessness is a problem that knows no boundaries, including right here in East Texas.  In this episode, Stuart talks with Stephanie Hess, founder of Blessing Bags for N.A.C.  This non-profit agency is reaching out to the homeless communities in Angelina and Nacogdoches counties in an effort to supply then with food, toiletries, and other needed items. 

Stuart talks again with agency Human Trafficking Coordinator Maria Villarreal about Texas House Bill 390, which requires motel and hotel employees to be trained on Human Trafficking Prevention. 

We're kicking off 2023 with an episode on Human Trafficking.  January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and Stuart talks with agency Human Trafficking Specialist Maria Villarreal.  Maria talks about the differences between labor and sex trafficking, as well as what tactics traffickers use to lure potential victims.  

Domestic Violence isn't just a problem in large metropolitan areas.  It also affects our rural communities.  In this episode, Stuart talks with Licensed Professional Counselor Cynthia Ince, who's practice in located in Hemphill.  Stuart and Cynthia talk about the perception of domestic violence in small, rural communities and the unique challenges that go along with that. 

Domestic violence is not just a women's issue.  Men play a vital role in preventing domestic violence and promoting prevention.  In this episode, Stuart and BIPP Coordinator Will Windham have a discussion on what men can do in the prevention effort. 

One of the Family Crisis Center's partners is the Texas Council on Family Violence, or TCFV.  In this episode, Stuart talks with TCFV's Prevention Manger William West about the role TCFV plays in prevention education and how they assist agencies like the Family Crisis Center in their prevention efforts. 

Being a college student today can be stressful, and many students at SFA may not know that help is available to them on campus.  In this episode, Stuart talks with Clare Fite and Rachel McCorry with SFA Counseling Services about the services they offer students, and they also talk about the new SFA "Hub".

Many school districts provide services for their students and families that some may not even know are available to them.  In this episode, Stuart talks with Tonja Akridge, a Licensed Social Worker for Lufkin ISD.  Tonja explains her role in helping to provide the best lives possible for Lufkin students.  

Mallory Dotson is the agency's new Sexual Assault Services Coordinator.  She also serves as the agency's campus advocate for Stephen F. Austin State University.  In this episode, Stuarts talks with Mallory about her duties, and what she hopes to do on the SFA campus!

There's a whole lot more to the county extension office than giving out advice on managing pastureland and livestock.  In this episode of Conversations and Connections, Stuart talks with Extension Agent Joel Redus about his responsibilities as Extension Agent for Family and Community Health.   

Would you like to help our child clients have an awesome school year?  You can help by making a donation to our agency Back to School Supply Drive!  Stuart talks with Child Advocate Sadarria Christian about what is needed and how you can help!

In today's world, we not only have to protect our kids when they go out of the house, but we also need to protect them when they go online.  From video games to social media, our kids run the risk of being subjected to potential predators.  In this episode, Stuart talks to agency Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Specialist Maria Villarreal about how predators use video games and social media t...

When it comes to discussions regarding relationship violence, the LGBTQ community is often overlooked.  In this episode, Stuart talks with agency counselor Shelby Brown about how interpersonal violence affects and how it is dealt with the in the LGBTQ community. 

A lot of college students can encounter tough times, but for students at Angelina College, there's a way that can make a student's life a little easier with the Roadrunner Market.  In this episode of Conversations and Connections, Stuart talks with Director of Student Affairs at Angelina College, April Wallace.  April explains what the Roadrunner Market is, how it works, and how it can help studen...

Students at Angelina College have a new resource available to them.  The Public Health Resource Center gives students a place on campus to help take care of basic health needs. Stuart talks with Anndrea Pickett with the Angelina County and Cities Health District about this new service available to Angelina College students.

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!

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.  

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. 

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.