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 Fam...

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!

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 se...

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.  

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 Spec...

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!  

The majority of the funding that the Family Crisis Center of East Texas operates on comes from grants.  But, it's not just as simple as asking corporations or the government for some money.  In this episode, Stuart sits down with Grant Manager Stacy Richardson about what it takes to keep the wheels of the Family Crisis Center turning. 

Counselor Dr. Bob Choat visits us again to talk about the Holidays and how they relate to relationship violence.  Dr. Choat explains that the connection may not be what a lot of people think.  Plus, Dr. Choat talks about the role that PTSD plays in many people's holiday time. 

Have you ever wondered how you can have a say in what your child is taught in school?  In today's episode of Conversations and Connections, Stuart talks with Jannifer Fulbright of the Lufkin ISD about SHAC, or Student Health Advisory Councils.  These councils consist of community members who advise the district on health related topics and issues for the school to address in their curriculum.  

In this episode of Conversations and Connections, Stuart sits down with outgoing intern Christina Gonzales.  Christina talks about what it was like to intern at the Family Crisis Center and what she plans in the future.  

Relationship violence is not just restricted to adults.  Sadly, dating violence amongst our teen community happens as well.  In this episode of Conversations and Connections, nurse Kim Riddle talks with Stuart about this issue, and how we as adults can help our teens have safe and healthy relationships.

Angela Turner is one of the newest members of the Family Crisis Center team.  Being the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for the agency involves many things, including coordinating the agency's Adopt and Family program.  In this episode, Angela talks with Stuart about how you can make a family's Christmas a little merrier this year... not only with buying gifts, but donating pantry goods a...

In this episode, Stuart sits down with the Family Crisis Center's Sexual Assault/Human Trafficking Specialist Maria Villarreal about how the media portrays relationship violence and human trafficking.  

In this episode, Stuart sits down with Sheila Adams, Mary Gail McCarty, and Tamara Anguiano with Lufkin ISD to talk about a new after school program they are starting known as ACE, or Afterschool Centers on Education.  They will discuss the need for such a program and what it entails. 

Thanksgiving is a time for many of us to spend in fellowship with family and friends.  But for many in East Texas, Thanksgiving is a time of want and need.  Family Crisis Center Safe House Manger Greg Sims wants to change that.  In this episode of Conversations and Connections, Stuart talks with Greg about a project near and dear to his heart... Thanksgiving in the Park, and how he wants to make T...

Family Crisis Center Special Projects and Compliance Director Kathryn Johnson is responsible for so many things for the agency... from making sure the agency is in compliance with grants, to educating staff on cultural diversity.  In this episode, Stuart and Kathryn talk about her job and why she chose her particular career path. 

Stuart sits down and has a conversation with Family Crisis Center Bilingual Advocate Maria Rodriguez.  Maria talks about the unique need for an advocate for immigrants in our community.  

We mark the 50th episode of Conversations and Connections with a conversation with our Executive Director Whitney Burran!  We talk with Whitney about the month of October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and why there is still the need to raise awareness of this issue.  We'll also talk about all of the upcoming events the Family Crisis Center has set in October to mark Domestic Violence...

Robert Shankle is no stranger to Lufkin.  He's a member of the Lufkin City Council and President of an organization seeking to improve not only North Lufkin, but the City of Lufkin as a whole.  In this episode of Conversations and Connections, we sit down with Robert Shankle to talk about Impact Lufkin.

Vallie Cross is in charge of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Deep East Texas' PADRES (Parenting Awareness and Drug Risk Education Services) program.  In this episode, Vallie talks with Stuart about the program, what all it entails, and the need for such a program in East Texas.

Getting men to talk about healthy masculinity is not an easy task... especially in Texas.  But that's exactly what Emiliano Diaz De Leon does in his role as the Men's Engagement Specialist with the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault.  In this episode Conversations and Connections, Stuart talks with Emiliano about his role at TAASA, and a special project he has been a part of for almost a yea...

In this episode, Stuart talks with Clay Alverson, Executive Director of the Men's Fieldhouse.  Clay talks about the services that the Men's Fieldhouse provides men in need, from job skills to how to cope with what life gives them.

Matt Craven is the newest counselor at the Family Crisis Center.  In this episode, Matt talks with Stuart about his experience as a new counselor, his feelings on being a man counseling women who have survived domestic violence or sexual assault situations, and why he chose his career path.

Today's youth are subjected to many marketing messages with regards to alcohol and tobacco products, and it's The Coalition's mission to help combat those messages.  The Coalition executive director Sharon Kruk talks with Stuart about how they go about the task of promoting a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle to the young people of East Texas, among other projects The Coalition plays a part in.  

There's a student organization on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University knows as SWAT (Student Wellness Action Team).  Stuart talks with SFA grad student Justifer Davis, who's an officer with the SWAT organization about what their mission is and how like-minded students can get involved.