Conversations and Connections

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and we're devoting the entire month of on the topic.  Stuart sits down with Maria Villarreal to talk about this all-important issue and how it affects East Texas.

In this episode, the tables and turned and Development Director Melissa Wheeler is asking the questions to Stuart Burson, our Prevention Coordinator.  Stuart talks about the importance of prevention work and how it goes much deeper than traditional risk reduction methods.

The Family Crisis Center of East Texas wouldn't be nearly as effective if the community didn't know about us, or if it weren't for the tireless work of our volunteers and interns.  In this episode, Stuart sits down with Greta Rich, the agency's Community Outreach Coordinator to talk about the importance of getting the word out about the agency, how the public can volunteer with us, and the agency'...

In this episode, Stuart sits down with Verna Hayter, the Self Sufficiency Advocate with the Family Crisis Center.  Verna talks about the agency's Transitional Housing program and the role it plays in helping domestic violence survivors become independent.  

The Prevention Team is back!  We'll take a look at how two scenes from a popular TV show and a movie represent unhealthy attitudes about gender roles and relationships, with a holiday theme.  

Believe it or not Christmas is almost here!  Stuart, Tiffany, and Will take a look at a couple of Christmas song classics and have a discussion on whether they are still appropriate in today's society, or are things blown out of proportion?  

Kim Riddle probably has one of the toughest jobs at the Family Crisis Center of East Texas.  As a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Nurse, it's her job to do a physical examination of a sexual assault survivor.  In this episode, Kim talks with Stuart about what her job entails, what goes on during an exam, and a fun way she uses to teach about the serious topic of sexually transmitted infection...

Many survivors of relationship violence also experience some form of financial abuse.  Stuart sits down with Tiffany Walsh to talk about what financial abuse is and what the Family Crisis Center is doing to help clients who have experienced this type of abuse first hand. 

When people mention the Family Crisis Center of East Texas, one thing that's surely to come up are our thrift stores in both  Lufkin and Nacogdoches.  Both of these stores provide a lot of revenue for the agency every year, and also provide a valuable service to our clients as well as bargains for our shoppers.  Stuart sits down with the director of both of these stores, Lisa Jackman.  Stuart and...

In this episode, Will Windham talks with Stuart about the Batterer's Intervention and Prevention Program (BIPP).  Most people probably don't realize that the Family Crisis Center of East Texas also works with men who are accused of domestic violence.  We take a look at details of this program.   

We wrap up Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a conversation with agency Development Director Melissa Wheeler.  Melissa talks with Stuart about the Empowering Survivors Tee Shirt Project, as well as the importance of donations and grants to an agency like the Family Crisis Center of East Texas.  

The effects of domestic violence reach further than one may realize.  In this episode, Stuart talks with Family Crisis Center of East Texas counselor Dr. Bob Choat about how domestic violence affects not only the survivor, but their family as well.  If you feel like you need services from the Family Crisis Center of East Texas, you can always call our toll-free 24-hour hotline at 1-800-828-7233.

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 ca...

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we're starting things off with Stuart talking with Victim Services Coordinator Kelly Carver.  Kelly and Stuart talk about how many cases of domestic violence the agency sees every month, the process someone goes through when seeking agency services, and Kelly shares a success story about one of our clients.  

Will Windham works with men on a daily basis.  As the coordinator the the agency's Battering Intervention and Prevention Program, Will gets to see and hear a variety of different takes on what masculinity means to East Texas men.  In this episode, Will and Stuart talk about what exactly is healthy masculinity... and what's not.  

Tiffany Walsh is the Family Crisis Center's Campus Advocate.  In this episode she talks with Stuart about the importance of providing services to college students and what it means to be an advocate.

Family Crisis Center of East Texas Executive Director Heather Kartye talks about the origins of the agency, a basic overview of the services provided, and how someone with a degree in agriculture became involved in helping survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.