Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo- Webb County- Vanessa Ibarra
The Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo has grown to unite a mass of services to educate the community of Webb County on child abuse, and allow the victims of abuse and their families to reconcile in a positive environment. In 1993, Jose M. Rubio, Jr., Webb County District Attorney, unified a group of Laredoans, all who are associated with children’s services. His focus was to construct a system that would respond to the child abuse cases in a routine that would not continue to traumatize the young victim. His determination provided a unified response that links the diverse agencies that respond to the outcries. Ultimately, this led to eliminating what was at that time countless agencies such as law enforcement, child protective services, school counselors, medical and psychological service providers, from all responding to young victims of abuse. What originated as an informal team soon became, under Webb County District Attorney Rubio’s guidance, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County certified as a non-profit organization in 1995. Crime Victim’s Coordinator Vanessa Ibarra was first introduced to the Children’s Advocacy Center as an intern during her final internship upon completion of her higher education. “I just stuck around after, I love working with children,” declared Vanessa. She plays a vital role of a figure of support for victims and their families. Vanessa is continuously responsible for finding resources for the victims and families of crime. She also assists the families in accessing community resources such as counseling services, medical attention, and if needed a place to stay. In addition to her many assigned duties, Vanessa whole heartedly engages in active listening and support. Current developments Vanessa has been operating on include working with Honorable Judge Becky Palomo in launching Kids in Court. This successful program targets and prepares victims of abuse who will be testifying in court. Kids in Court successfully instills confidence in children who may need to testify. Along with this Vanessa expanded efforts to enlighten the community by hosting the 1st Youth S.P.E.A.K. Conference (Students Pursuing Education and Knowledge). The program will allow one hundred 10th grade students the opportunity to learn about cyberbullying, mental health, the law, and dating violence. On a personal note, The Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo has opened Vanessa’s life to a lot of new processes. She is now able to understand how to satisfy the needs of open cases so they can be approved and closed. As a strong advocate for her clients, Vanessa is able to keep progressing. She accomplishes this with all the positive feedback from her clients and their families. The positive feedback helped her realize that she is making a difference in their lives. United Way of Laredo supports The Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo by providing resources for its’ active projects. United Way allows the agency the privilege to pursue projects freely without the worry and stress of how to fund them. Since its launch, the Children’s Advocacy Center has treated many young victims as well as their peers and non-offending adult family members. [wr_row width=”boxed” background=”none” solid_color_value=”#FFFFFF” solid_color_color=”#ffffff” gradient_color=”0% #FFFFFF,100% #000000″ gradient_direction=”vertical” repeat=”full” img_repeat=”full” autoplay=”yes” position=”center center” paralax=”no” border_width_value_=”0″ border_style=”solid” border_color=”#000″ div_padding_top=”10″ div_padding_bottom=”10″ div_padding_right=”10″ div_padding_left=”10″ ][wr_column span=”span12″ ][wr_heading el_title=”be a hero” tag=”h1″ text_align=”center” heading_margin_top=”5″ heading_margin_bottom=”10″ font=”inherit” enable_underline=”yes” border_bottom_style=”solid” appearing_animation=”0″ disabled_el=”no” ]BE A HERO, HELP US HELP OTHERS BY DONATING[/wr_heading][wr_image #_EDITTED el_title=”paypal” image_file=”https://unitedwaylaredo.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/PayPal-Donate-Button-High-Quality-PNG.png” image_size=”medium” link_type=”url” image_type_url=”https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=LFUEMWNDDLUZG” open_in=”current_browser” image_container_style=”no-styling” image_alignment=”center” appearing_animation=”0″ disabled_el=”no” ][/wr_image][/wr_column][/wr_row]
Casa De Misericordia-Rosy
Rosy’s past marriage lasted a year. Unfortunately, she was living in a constant state of terror. Rosy’s life constantly involved living with insults and violence. Five years ago, Rosy’s husband beat her inside a parked vehicle, and left her in the parking lot until midnight. Fortunately, things began to turn around in Rosy’s favor. The police arrived, and took her to the shelter. She resided at Casa de Misericordia for a month. “I’m alive! I am a survivor of domestic violence and I am blessed and happy!” professed Rosy. Although Rosy was in a secure place, she still lived in fear. She was terrified that her husband would find and kill her and her two daughters. While residing at Casa de Misericordia, legal aid visited Rosy. The legal team helped her establish a protective order. The protective order allowed Rosy to freely partake in the community. On July 7, 1998, Casa de Misericordia became active in the community of Laredo. Casa de Misericordia provides safeguarded and temporary residential services to victims of domestic violence. Casa de Misericordia is a sheltered place, where victims of domestic violence can feel protected and collect information on encouraging options for their future such as housing, education, and counseling. Casa de Misericordia also works to connect victims to proper agencies based on their needs. Five years ago, Sister Rosemary and her rescue team assisted Rosy in receiving counseling, legal assistance, and referrals to other agencies. She explained that she arrived without anything. The day she arrived she received clothes, a roof over head, and food. Most importantly, Rosy received a sense of security. United Way of Laredo provides Casa de Misericordia funding for client assistance and its overall program. This great partnership between United Way and Casa de Misericordia helps in many aspects to continue and provide assistance to victims of family violence. Rosy is eternally grateful for all the physical, emotional, moral, and legal support that the team has provided her with. Their words of encouragement built up her personal improvement and allowed her to participate at the education center and earn her degree. “The team at Casa de Misericordia has been an example for my life in the most critical moments,” confessed Rosy. The uplifting moments helped her to continue the program at Casa de Misericordia where she has taken several beauty classes and specializes as a skin massage therapist. Rosy is also a part of the advisory committee and is a music teacher at the education center. Presently, Rosy has earned a manager position for a company in Austin, Texas. “Rosy is an example of great courage,” the team at Casa De Misericordia explained. She gives back to the program and community. Rosy is also an advocate for other victims and people who are in similar situations. Now that Rosy feels valued and has restored herself physically and emotionally, she has the strong courage to share her story. Without the help of Casa de Misericordia, she believes she would have been stuck in the same abusive lifestyle that she was found in. [wr_column span=”span4″ ][wr_image el_title=”donate” image_file=”https://unitedwaylaredo.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/PayPal-Donate-Button-High-Quality-PNG.png” image_size=”full” link_type=”url” image_type_url=”https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=LFUEMWNDDLUZG” open_in=”current_browser” image_container_style=”no-styling” image_alignment=”inherit” image_margin_bottom=”30″ appearing_animation=”0″ disabled_el=”no” ][/wr_image][/wr_column][wr_column span=”span4″ ] [wr_column span=”span4″ ][wr_image el_title=”donate” image_file=”https://unitedwaylaredo.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/PayPal-Donate-Button-High-Quality-PNG.png” image_size=”full” link_type=”url” image_type_url=”https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=LFUEMWNDDLUZG” open_in=”current_browser” image_container_style=”no-styling” image_alignment=”inherit” image_margin_bottom=”30″ appearing_animation=”0″ disabled_el=”no” ][/wr_image][/wr_column][wr_column span=”span4″ ]
Boys and Girls Club of Laredo
“Great futures start here!” Mr. Jorge F. Gonzalez declared. As an astounding product of the Boys and Girls Club of Laredo, Mr. Gonzalez has an abundance to recognize. Mr. Gonzalez was first introduced to the Boys and Girls Club of Laredo as a child. He attended the club often, The Boys and Girls Club is where he learned to swim, play basketball, and develop life skills such as being self-disciplined. He explained that The Boys and Girls Club is what ultimately molded him into the person that he is today. Currently, Mr. Gonzalez is the President of Falcon Sure Insurance Agency, and serves on eleven boards that include Chairman for Laredo Medical Center and Communities in Schools. As a past president of United Way and The Boys and Girls Club, Gonzalez appreciates the significance of giving back to the community of Laredo and helping others when it is possible. “It shouldn’t be about me. It is really about the kids. The kids are our future.” Gonzalez proposed. “To touch one kid’s life is what is truly meaningful,” Mr. Gonzalez explained. Aside from the physical activities and education, The Boys and Girls Club allows the children to develop social skills and develop everlasting friendships with other club members. The Boys and Girls Club is filled with caring board members and other kind individuals whose fundamental goal is to impact the children’s lives. They accomplish this goal by providing a safe haven where the children can engage in physical activities, be taught life skills, and focus on their education. Apart from the regular amount of ten thousand members, The Boys and Girls Club serves about twenty thousand children through their special leagues of basketball, flag football, volleyball, and track meets. Every day, The Boys and Girls Club stresses the importance of health, education, and character development of the youth. The Boys and Girls Club can fill the need in the community for responsible guidance from adult role models. Most importantly, United Way helps the Boys and Girls Club provide these children with hope and an endless amount of opportunities. “Honestly, I don’t know, I don’t know what would have happened to me.” As a prosperous product of The Boys and Girls Club, Gonzalez credits his second nature of giving to The Boys and Girls Club. Mr. Gonzalez strongly believes that The Boys and Girls Club shapes people with compassionate hearts and great futures; that is why your donation to United Way is so important. United Way of Laredo helps us in our mission of impacting children’s lives! [wr_row width=”boxed” background=”none” solid_color_value=”#FFFFFF” solid_color_color=”#ffffff” gradient_color=”0% #FFFFFF,100% #000000″ gradient_direction=”vertical” repeat=”full” img_repeat=”full” autoplay=”yes” position=”center center” paralax=”no” border_width_value_=”0″ border_style=”solid” border_color=”#000″ div_padding_top=”10″ div_padding_bottom=”10″ div_padding_right=”10″ div_padding_left=”10″ ][wr_column span=”span12″ ][wr_heading el_title=”be a hero” tag=”h1″ text_align=”center” heading_margin_top=”5″ heading_margin_bottom=”10″ font=”inherit” enable_underline=”yes” border_bottom_style=”solid” appearing_animation=”0″ disabled_el=”no” ]BE A HERO, HELP US HELP OTHERS BY DONATING[/wr_heading][wr_image #_EDITTED el_title=”paypal” image_file=”https://unitedwaylaredo.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/PayPal-Donate-Button-High-Quality-PNG.png” image_size=”medium” link_type=”url” image_type_url=”https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=LFUEMWNDDLUZG” open_in=”current_browser” image_container_style=”no-styling” image_alignment=”center” appearing_animation=”0″ disabled_el=”no” ][/wr_image][/wr_column][/wr_row]
