April 14, 2025 • 28 mins
Amber Banda intervews Nicole Anchondo, board member and YWCA luncheon Committee Member, YWCA El Paso. they discuss their upcoming 30th YWCA Women's Luncheon with guest speaker Lucy Lui! For mroe informarion and to get tickets go to YWCAElPaso.org
Amber Banda interviews Bety Marin-Olivarez, Youth Outreach & Housing Division Director for the El Paso Center for Children Youth Emergency Shelter. For more information go to epccinc.org
Amber Banda interviews Bety Marin-Olivarez, Youth Outreach & Housing Division Director for the El Paso Center for Children Youth Emergency Shelter. For more information go to epccinc.org
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to al Paso Public Forum, a weekly half hour
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio El Paso for over twenty years,
featuring local news and interviews of interest to our listeners
in West Texas and southern New Mexico. All views and
opinions expressed on this program are those of the host
and guest, and not necessarily those of iHeartRadio Management and
now El Paso Public Forum.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome to the al Paso Public Forum. I am here
with Bethy Marine Olivades. She is the Youth Outreach and
Housing Division director with the al Pasos Center for Children. Betty,
thank you so much for being here with me today.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Thank you for having me. I'm grateful for being here.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Of course, So April is you know, national Child Abuse
Awareness months, so I tried to have a lot of
child advocacy organizations for the month of April. So you
fit in perfect because today we're going to be talking
about the al Paso Center for Children's Youth emergency Shelter.
The only runaway and homeless emergency shelter in West Texas
(01:00):
is not just an aw passable West Texas. Has that
changed at all or is that still true? But the
no that is correct. We've been around for about thirty
seven years. Oh wow. So the Youth Emergency Shelter, that's
specifically where you work with. What is the youth Emergency Shelter.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
The Youth Emergency Shelter is for runaway, homeless and youth
that are doing an outcry of abuse and decollect. It's
for youth that are between the ages of eleven to
seventeen that can come into our facility and we help
them with basic needs get out of the streets. They
(01:37):
can stay with us for up to twenty one days.
During that time, our case manager, our staff are trying
to figure out the situation at home. How can we
help them, How can we get them back to a
safe and stable destination that would be their going back home,
finding another family member or a friend. But our goal
(02:00):
is to make sure that they're safe with us and
that they can trust us, and you know, we're here
to help them with anything that they need.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
So with my work with child advocacy, I've been doing
it for years and that is one question I get.
You know, I have a child that wants to run
away or there's a team that's run away, So I
want to be very I want to get very specific
with you as far as the steps, because I think
I'd rather a team between the ages of eleven eleven
to seventeen that's run away. I'd rather them go there
(02:28):
and you know, feel comfortable to go there where they'll
be safe as opposed to God knows where. So you
know I know a teen, I don't really, but right
we're painting the picture. I know a teen or I'm
a teen I'm running away from home. Say there's you know,
abuse going on at home and running away? How what happens?
How do I contact you to get these services started
(02:49):
and then what happens from there?
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Yes, so there are several safe places that we have
around town.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Safe places.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
You'll see that big yellow logo. The fire stations have it, libraries, recreation.
When you see that, they can go into that place
and they will malily contact our shelter.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
So, fire stations, libraries. Where is there a place where
we can find a list of safe places or you
just look for them? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (03:16):
So you could? We have them online and our website.
I believe our partners are there, Okay, if not, they
can directly call us to our shelter. We are also
on Facebook Instagram, Snapchat, so they're able to contact us
through there. If not, our phone number is nine one
five five six two forty seven sixty five.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Okay, perfect, So before you continue EPC C I NC
dot org, I'll passle send it for children, and then
if you go to Instagram or Facebook for them, or
even for the station you're listening to right now, Sunny
Power or KHY, especially those on our Instagram Facebook, that
information will be there as well. Okay, go ahead, thank you.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
So they can as soon as they contact us, we
will evaluate, you know, the letters, know their situation, we'll
evaluate it, and we are able if depending where they're at, well,
anywhere they're at, we're able to go pick them up.
Sometimes we'll let them know, you know, where are you
If you're close to let's say McDonald's, please meet us there.
(04:16):
We'll ask for them. A lot of times kids of
course leave home without any clothes, without a cell phone,
so or sometimes they do have a cell phone but
it doesn't work, so we'll let them know, go to
McDonald's or a place that we know that has Wi Fi,
and then we'll tell them somebody will be there to
pick them up. We'll let them know this is what
(04:37):
this person looks like. This is the car we're driving.
We have vehicles, and so we're able to go get
them because we want to make sure. We want to
make sure that you know, they get our trust and
that they're able to come with us. That is the
most important. That we're a safe place and we're not
here to hurt them. We're here to help them in
their situation. Once that, once we bring them back into
(04:58):
the facility, sess them. We tell them, are you hungry?
Do you need a shower? At that point and they're
like yes, okay, we go ahead and get them something
to eat. They're able to stay in their own room.
We have rooms for each one. In the rooms, they'll
have their own TV. We do have a PlayStation. You know,
(05:18):
our shelter is a home. We try not to have
it as you know, when you think of a shelter,
it's scary, you know, So we want to make it
welcoming and you know, we have board games, we have
puzzles and a lot of things. Once they're settled down,
we see if they need any clothing, and that's when
we start assessing the situation and we start going, okay,
(05:41):
do we need to report this to Child Protective Services.
We have to call their parents because we do need consent.
But of course if it is if the people they
live with there is an abuse or neglect, we don't
contact them. We'll have CPS deal with the investigation and
they will contact them.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
So that one important thing. If it is their parents
that are you know, doing the abuse or allegedly doing
the abuse, CPS will be the one to contact the parents.
The teenager does not have okay, okay.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
Yes, so they so they're where that, you know, because
sometimes we don't want the abuser coming and taking them
and then the cycle continues, and then at that point
they probably be like, oh, I'm not going to go
back there because they didn't help me or I had
to go back home.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Trust sometimes the.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
Parents don't want us to keep them, but we try
to let them, you know what, sometimes let them stay here.
You know, we offer counseling and our other division which
is our prevention prevention, and so they can get counseling,
but we try to work with the families to make
to make the best decision for the child.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
And so how much does this cost?
Speaker 3 (06:56):
This does not cost anything. It is one hundred percent
free all our services at our Passo Center for Children.
So if they come with us without clothing, we will
go and buy them clothing, shoes, hygiene products, whatever they need.
We will help them food, everything awesome.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
And if you're just tuning in, we have Bethy Marine
olivadis Youth Outreach and Housing Division director with the Alpacos
Center for Children. We're talking about the youth emergency shelter,
currently the only runaway and homeless emergency shelter in West Texas.
So Bethy went over the process of how someone might
seek help. The first thing they should do where they
(07:37):
can find these safe spaces. Now you said that they
are allowed to be there for twenty one days. What
happens at the end of those twenty one days.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
We usually will work with the families. If it does
come to twenty one days and they're not ready to go,
we will keep working with them for just depending on
the situation. Most likely they're with us between a couple
of days to you know, the twenty one days, but
we do continue working with them and try to find
(08:08):
a family member or sometimes it's unfortunate, but CPS will
step in and they will become CPS.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Okay, and you know, and I know them over at CPS,
and it's a scary situation. But if it does come
to that where it's not safe enough for them to
go back home, then that is the best situation. It's
always harright. You know, it's going to be harder before
it gets better. And if someone so I think again,
I'm trying to remove any obstacles that like a team
(08:36):
might think of and not want to go to. So
one thing that they might a reason they might not
want to go and seek help there with the Youth
Emergency Shelter, Well, what if they call looking for me?
So if that's the case, if a teenager is there
and you know their parent who is the abuser, is
calling looking for them, I mean, are they allowed to
(08:56):
give them information? How does that work?
Speaker 3 (08:58):
So we are not allowed to give information out, especially
if it's a phone call and we don't we don't
know the person's name. You know, I can't check an
ID through the phone, so we do not give out information.
Many times the youth is the one that will give
us their parents information, so we will be calling the
parent and letting them know. Once we make contact and
(09:20):
we know it's them, that's the only way. But if
a parent or an abuser calls. We've had many times
where kids run away and they call us to say,
you know, is my child here, and I will just
go I'm sorry, but we can't disclose any information.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
So if you know, I had something personal happen myself.
So that's why I'm very curious. If someone were to call,
say their child run away, and you know it's they
are a concerned parent, is that information relate to the
child inside? Like, hey, this person said they knew you.
We didn't give them any information, but we thought you
should know that.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
Okay, No, no, because we don't want to stress them out.
You know, as it is, they're already stressed in the situation.
They're going to so much trauma. We don't want to
traumatize them again and being like, oh they know where
I'm at, they're going to come, you know, so we
do not let them know, you know, so so called
we don't give that information to them.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Perfect. So again, this is a safe space EPCCI, NCED
dot org, uh, Instagram or Facebook, l pascl Center for
Children epc C, I N seed. Now you do how
can the community support you? You say, you give them
clothing you give them the clothing, you give them food
is there. Do you accept monetary donations or donations of
(10:35):
any kind?
Speaker 3 (10:36):
Yes, we accept any donation to our main office. You know,
we're always looking for of course, are if they want
to donate clothes, it has to be new food. Even
if you want to buy a dinner for the kids
that we have that you know on a Friday, pizza
pizza party for them, it's we're welcome anything like that
(11:00):
at food, hygiene products, clothes, or you just want to
give a generous donation, you can just go through our
main office.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Okay. So if there's any businesses out there, organizations or
even individuals. It doesn't have to be a big group.
You want to sponsor a pizza party for them, help
them forget a little bit about what they're going through,
you know, EPCCI, NC dot org and Betty. Before I
ask if there's anything else you want to tell the
listening audience, I have a question for you. How does
(11:30):
it feel, since you do get to work with these kids,
how does it feel seeing them come in, having this
safe space, seeing them, you know, get a little bit
of a reprieve. How does that How do you feel
about helping them out, it's very rewarding.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
It's very rewarding because we've had so many you know,
we have stories that are not successful, and you know,
it breaks your heart. But then we have those stories
that are successful and we've pat kids call us back
and thank us, and I think that is the most
pat thing because we know at that time they're with us.
(12:03):
We don't sometimes we don't think we're reaching them because
they're teens and they don't want to listen to adults
and you know, so on. But when they call back
and they tell us, you know, because of you, I
graduated high school because of you, I went to college.
Because of you, I got myself together, and you know,
or I joined the army, and those stories is what
(12:25):
makes this all worth it, you know. And hopefully that
one thing, that positive thing that we told that youth
stays in their head for the rest of their life.
And we may think it wasn't an impact, but it was.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
I think we can all think back to sometime in
our childhood or as a teen and remember one quote.
We may not even remember who told us it, but
we remember how they made us feel. And it just
takes one person. It literally just takes one person. It
can be a stranger that you know is out there
and that cares to have that positive impact in your life.
So thank you for what you do. And Betty, is
(13:00):
there anything else that you would like to tell the
listening audience.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
You know, the programs that we have at our Pascal
Center for Children are there to help not just teens,
but we you know, we have our prevention side that
helps all ages from zero to one hundred. In our
in my division, we have from eleven to twenty four.
We also have a drop in center where youth can
come in from eleven to twenty four. It's usually they
(13:27):
can come in, take a shower, get something to eat,
watch TV, do laundry and so those are mostly for
youth that do not want to go into a shelter
or young adults, and so we're there to help them.
We have case management and then we also have two
three programs I'm sorry that are for rental assistant and
one of them is for eight for men eighteen to
(13:50):
twenty one, and then we have a family one eighteen
to twenty four and then the other one also eighteen
to twenty four.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Wow, I just keep learning more and more about the
Alpaco Center for Children. I just had two fatherhood specialists
on the show from the Fatherhood Effects Program. I worked
right next door at the at the Child Crisis Center
for a minute, So that's amazing. And that's why it's
called the l Passal Center for Children. If you need help,
you know a child that needs help, go to EPCCI
(14:17):
NC dot org. They're on Instagram, They're on Facebook on Instagram,
just on both just look for ol Passal Center for
Children to make it easier. And of course on Sunday
ninety nine point nine, ninety six point three khy Country
and Power one O two point one on our Instagram
and Facebook, there will be more information about how to
get a hold of them and this interview. Betty, thank
you so much for being here with me today.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
Thank you so much for having me. It was a joy.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
Welcome back to the l Pasel Public Forum. I am
your host, Amberbanda and today we have Nicole Anchundle from
the YWCA. She is the board member and YWC Luncheon
Committee member for the YWC. It made me maybe it
sound like you're the only board member right, one of
the board members. Nicole, Thanks right, Nicole, thank you for
being here with me today.
Speaker 4 (15:04):
Thank you so much for having me. It's a pleasure
to be here with you.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
Of course. So we're going to talk a little bit
later about a really exciting event that's happening. But first,
I've heard of the YWCA. I've entered the view the YWCA.
Before people know about the YWCA, But what services does
the YWCA actually offer the community?
Speaker 4 (15:24):
Yeah, so, you know, I didn't really get to know
all the nitty gritty about the YWCA until I recently
become a board member. But the HYEWCA has been serving
our region for over one hundred and fifteen years and
every year we reach twenty six thousand ol pass owens
and we at our four locations have health and wellness
facilities that serve the whole population, from babies age three
(15:49):
months all the way to senior citizens. At those facilities,
we have childcare, we have youth swim lessons. They're basically
community centers for our community to spend time at. In
addition to those centers, we also offer affordable and low
(16:09):
cost housing to help combat homelessness in our region and
to support women escaping domestic violence, women and children. We
also have summer camps that might be something the public
is more familiar with intercession camps, and we have daycares.
So it's a lot that we have to offer. Basically,
(16:32):
if you know you have different interests, that we have
something to offer you.
Speaker 2 (16:35):
So, yeah, the TLC the one you're talking about for women,
that one's near and dear to my heart because a
lot of people ask me Amber, where can I go
donate items? And this place actually helps women look for jobs,
gives them housing, they have their own I've been in there,
they have their own little kitchen. So for anyone listening,
if you have used clothes, because I know a lot
(16:56):
of places are only taking new clothing, but especially like
high heels, I know no longer where my high heels
are a lot of my nicer outfits, business outfits, I'm like, well,
where do I donate these? You actually have closets there
where women can go and pick out outfits for job
interviews and stuff like that.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
That's right, it's like Address for Success program and we
love to get women ready to enter back into the workforce,
give them resume training, interview training, and like you said,
go and shop for something that makes them feel their
best when going to job interviews, and so if you're interested,
we accept donations at the Sarah McKnight Transitional Living Center
(17:33):
what we call the TLC Monday through Friday eight am
to six pm. Appointments aren't needed, but it is a
secure facility, so we ask that you call in advance
to get the information about where to drop that off at.
And that number is nine one five five one nine
zero zero zero seven.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
And again all of this information will be available on
our Sunday nighty nine point nine nine to six three
k Hay Country and Power will note two point one,
Instagram and Facebook. You can go and find that phone
number and more information about what we're going to talk about.
But yeah, the TLC great place to take your clothing items.
I've done some volunteer work with them. But the YWCA,
(18:13):
you know, it has all of those different services for
the community, usually like at discounted rates, especially stuff for kids.
But what I want to talk about is now something
really fun, the thirtieth YWCA Women's Luncheon. And again if
you're just joining us, I am here with Nicole Anchondo,
board one of the board members and YWCA Luncheon Committee
(18:35):
member for the YWCA. So Nicole, let's start talking about
this thirtieth WHYWCA Women's Luncheon. When will it be and
where will it be?
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Okay, So, it's one of my favorite events of the year.
This year, it will take place on April twenty fourth.
It starts at eleven thirty, doors open at eleven am.
It happens at the Convention Center. Normally two attendees a ten,
so it's a huge production. The luncheon will go from
(19:09):
eleven thirty to one and this year we have the
honor of hosting Lucy Lou to come to a pass
and speak to us about her lustorous career. She's an
acclaimed actress, director, producer, artist and advocate and she's worked
in film, television and Broadway. So I'm really excited to
hear what she has to share with us. And it's
(19:30):
a perfect excuse to get together with your girlfriends. And
all of the proceeds support the YWC in those programs
that we just discussed. Last year, we raised just under
four hundred and seventy thousand dollars. This year, our goal
is to raise half a million. It's a lofty goal,
but more than ever, we need those funds to support
(19:51):
women and children in our community more than ever.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
Definitely. I went to last year's luncheon, and forgive me,
I cannot remember the speaker's name. I just remember that
it was so power. She was like a famite. Do
you remember who it was? She was like a favorite.
Speaker 4 (20:04):
Yes, I believe it was Geena Davis, if I remember correctly.
I want to see this.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
I don't remember. I just remember that was one of
the first women's or if not the first women's luncheon
that I had ever been to. And you know, you
go and you're surrounded by a sea of women in
their wonderful outfits. So it's a great excuse to show
off your new clothes and whatever, because that's that's all
part of it, right, It's all part of being female
and feeling empowered. It's feeling good about yourself and what
(20:31):
you're wearing helps you feel good about yourself, and raising
funds or the YWC, like you said, you know, it
goes to all So with the fund raising, you know,
people are paying, uh maybe a discounted rate or not
as much as they would pay and other places to
be a part of these activities for the YWC. So
when you say that the fund raising is going to
(20:53):
support those activities, like, what exactly is it going towards?
Speaker 4 (20:56):
Yeah, that's right. I mean, for example, I mentioned that
we have child care. We have scholarships for women who
are attending school or wanting to go back into the workforce.
They can apply for scholarships to cover that childcare. You
mentioned our gym facilities we have unlike some of other gyms,
(21:16):
there's no yearly commitment and for an individual it could
be as low as twenty eight dollars a month for
students fifteen dollars a month, and we have all of
the equipment that all the other gyms have. In addition
to childcare at those facilities, it also helps We mentioned
(21:37):
the job training that women at the shelter receive. It
helps pay for those programs. There's also a Rapper re
housing program that we have that helps people who find
themselves in sudden situations of homelessness to have a safe,
secure place to live while we help them get back
up on their feet. So each ticket is there's different
(22:00):
levels of sponsorship and you can find all this information
on our website at Ywclpasso dot org. But if you
just want to go and get a ticket, it's one
hundred dollars. You get a lunch, you get a seat,
and all of that money goes back to supporting women
and children in our community.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
And if I'm not mistaken, Lucy lou is not going
to be the only speaker, right, there's going to be
like some recognition given to some other ladies up there.
Speaker 4 (22:26):
Yes, well we will. Our president will be speaking, and
the luncheon chair will be speaking, Valerie Garcia, and we
will also have a testimonial that'll be a surprise for
everyone to hear about the day of the luncheon, but
someone who knows firsthand how life changing and transformative the
(22:48):
HYWCA can be in someone's life.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
That was something I really enjoyed about the luncheon last year.
Is again, you know, I don't remember specific names. I
just remember the motion that you felt. And it's like
that with most things, right, you don't remember certain things,
You just remember how it made you feel. And I
really liked that there was someone up there that benefited
from the fundraising that you're doing. Like here, it is
an action like we're you know, being as transparent as
(23:12):
we can. This is someone that I think they had
gotten help through the TLC and they were up there
speaking about it. And girl, you know, people think one
hundred dollars for lunch one, Like you said, it's going
towards that, like you're helping women, children get back on
their feet. You helping support these programs. But the food
is delicious. The food was so good. I remember that
chocolate cake. That chocolate cake by itself was worth one
(23:35):
hundred dollars. Yes, there's all.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
The I'll pass. The Life does a fantastic job, and
like you said, there's all. We always make sure that
there is a dessert present, so it's a cheesecake or chocolate.
I'm not on the committee that gets to choose the food,
so surprise, No, I don't get to go to the cheese.
That would be so fun. But you're right, the food
is just delicious and it's a perfect excuse to block
(23:59):
out long lunch with your girlfriends. Like you said, here
from firsthand how important this work is in our community.
I always have to bring a couple of tissues in
my purse. Yeah, like you said, it's very emotional.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
Yeah, and it's a good place to network with other women.
It's not just you know, oh, sitting here, there's Lucy Lou.
I'm never gonna you know, you might be able to
take a picture through or whatever. Afterward you get to
hear a story. But you know, afterward is and beforehand
is when the mingling starts. Because it starts eleven thirty.
Doors open at eleven, and so you get to talk
to other women in different environments, in different businesses and
(24:35):
different nonprofits. If you've already been to a few of these,
or you're involved with nonprofits, like you know, you have
your job and you also work here, then you can
go and say hi. So it is a really great
event to just go, dress up, have a good meal,
raise funds for the YWCA. And so, Nicole, I have
more of a personal question for you. Why did you
(24:55):
decide to become a board member? Why did you want
to be involved in this event?
Speaker 4 (25:00):
Well, for me personally is that right now, I'm currently
an attorney for the electric company, but previously I used
to be a prosecutor in the Olpasive District Attorney's office,
and I personally prosecuted cases involving domestic violence, child abuse,
and saw you know how prevalent those issues are in
our community. Unfortunately, and now that I don't have a
(25:23):
role in doing that, I still want to be able
to do what I can to help those victims of
domestic violence and abuse. And I see firsthand how the
WHITEBCA is able to afford people safe housing, counseling, help
(25:44):
them get back into the workforce. And you know, although
I'm not at the District Attorney's office, this is my
way to give.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
Back help them feel confident about themselves. Again, so again
it's important for people to remember. They think, why do
you say they think basketball, swimming pool, childcare? They I've
seen it personally, you've but you've seen it personally. They
help women who have been in really horrible situations with
children sometimes get back on their feet. And to me personally,
(26:12):
that's where this really comes into play. That's where I think,
you know, people are really going to find the importance
in supporting events like this, and you get to see
Lucy Lou like like what I mean, like it's some
amazing So again, if you want to if you want tickets,
you want to support, you want a sponsor, it's it's
a huge event. It's a really big event.
Speaker 4 (26:31):
And I mean I think last year two thousand people
and one thousand women depend on the convention center.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
All of that send like I descended on that chocolate cake.
If they want more sponsoring, If you want a sponsor,
you want to get a ticket, get your girlfriends together.
Why w C A L Passlo dot org. I know
a lot of y'all are receiving your tax refunds right now.
Use this for a good cause. Whywclpasso dot org. To
get your tickets. You can also call nine one five
(26:58):
five one nine zero zero zero, which I just realized
is nine one five backwards, so that's a super easy
phone number to remember. Nine one five five one nine
nothing else zero zero zero zero. On Instagram, you can
find them at ywcal Paso and on Facebook ywcal Paso
Del Lote Region for more information. Nicole, is there anything
(27:20):
else that you would like to tell the listening audience.
Speaker 4 (27:23):
This organization is near and dear to my heart. Please
help us sell out the convention center. Let's show lucylu
what an amazing community we are and continue to support
the YWCA in these difficult times that we're having. Let's
make sure we continue to support our women and children.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
Definitely, thank you for being here with me today.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
Thank you so much, Ember, it's been a pleasure.
Speaker 1 (27:44):
You've been listening to El Paso Public Forum, a weekly
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio l Paso. If you, your
organization or event would like to be featured on an
upcoming program, please email to ep Forum at iHeartMedia dot
com or call us at nine one five three five
one five four zero zero. Tune in again next week
(28:05):
for another additional of El Paso Public Forum. The preceding
program was recorded at the studios of iHeartRadio El Paso.
Welcome to al Paso Public Forum, a weekly half hour
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio El Paso for over twenty years,
featuring local news and interviews of interest to our listeners
in West Texas and southern New Mexico. All views and
opinions expressed on this program are those of the host
and guest, and not necessarily those of iHeartRadio Management and
now El Paso Public Forum.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome to the al Paso Public Forum. I am here
with Bethy Marine Olivades. She is the Youth Outreach and
Housing Division director with the al Pasos Center for Children. Betty,
thank you so much for being here with me today.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Thank you for having me. I'm grateful for being here.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Of course, So April is you know, national Child Abuse
Awareness months, so I tried to have a lot of
child advocacy organizations for the month of April. So you
fit in perfect because today we're going to be talking
about the al Paso Center for Children's Youth emergency Shelter.
The only runaway and homeless emergency shelter in West Texas
(01:00):
is not just an aw passable West Texas. Has that
changed at all or is that still true? But the
no that is correct. We've been around for about thirty
seven years. Oh wow. So the Youth Emergency Shelter, that's
specifically where you work with. What is the youth Emergency Shelter.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
The Youth Emergency Shelter is for runaway, homeless and youth
that are doing an outcry of abuse and decollect. It's
for youth that are between the ages of eleven to
seventeen that can come into our facility and we help
them with basic needs get out of the streets. They
(01:37):
can stay with us for up to twenty one days.
During that time, our case manager, our staff are trying
to figure out the situation at home. How can we
help them, How can we get them back to a
safe and stable destination that would be their going back home,
finding another family member or a friend. But our goal
(02:00):
is to make sure that they're safe with us and
that they can trust us, and you know, we're here
to help them with anything that they need.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
So with my work with child advocacy, I've been doing
it for years and that is one question I get.
You know, I have a child that wants to run
away or there's a team that's run away, So I
want to be very I want to get very specific
with you as far as the steps, because I think
I'd rather a team between the ages of eleven eleven
to seventeen that's run away. I'd rather them go there
(02:28):
and you know, feel comfortable to go there where they'll
be safe as opposed to God knows where. So you
know I know a teen, I don't really, but right
we're painting the picture. I know a teen or I'm
a teen I'm running away from home. Say there's you know,
abuse going on at home and running away? How what happens?
How do I contact you to get these services started
(02:49):
and then what happens from there?
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Yes, so there are several safe places that we have
around town.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Safe places.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
You'll see that big yellow logo. The fire stations have it, libraries, recreation.
When you see that, they can go into that place
and they will malily contact our shelter.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
So, fire stations, libraries. Where is there a place where
we can find a list of safe places or you
just look for them? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (03:16):
So you could? We have them online and our website.
I believe our partners are there, Okay, if not, they
can directly call us to our shelter. We are also
on Facebook Instagram, Snapchat, so they're able to contact us
through there. If not, our phone number is nine one
five five six two forty seven sixty five.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Okay, perfect, So before you continue EPC C I NC
dot org, I'll passle send it for children, and then
if you go to Instagram or Facebook for them, or
even for the station you're listening to right now, Sunny
Power or KHY, especially those on our Instagram Facebook, that
information will be there as well. Okay, go ahead, thank you.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
So they can as soon as they contact us, we
will evaluate, you know, the letters, know their situation, we'll
evaluate it, and we are able if depending where they're at, well,
anywhere they're at, we're able to go pick them up.
Sometimes we'll let them know, you know, where are you
If you're close to let's say McDonald's, please meet us there.
(04:16):
We'll ask for them. A lot of times kids of
course leave home without any clothes, without a cell phone,
so or sometimes they do have a cell phone but
it doesn't work, so we'll let them know, go to
McDonald's or a place that we know that has Wi Fi,
and then we'll tell them somebody will be there to
pick them up. We'll let them know this is what
(04:37):
this person looks like. This is the car we're driving.
We have vehicles, and so we're able to go get
them because we want to make sure. We want to
make sure that you know, they get our trust and
that they're able to come with us. That is the
most important. That we're a safe place and we're not
here to hurt them. We're here to help them in
their situation. Once that, once we bring them back into
(04:58):
the facility, sess them. We tell them, are you hungry?
Do you need a shower? At that point and they're
like yes, okay, we go ahead and get them something
to eat. They're able to stay in their own room.
We have rooms for each one. In the rooms, they'll
have their own TV. We do have a PlayStation. You know,
(05:18):
our shelter is a home. We try not to have
it as you know, when you think of a shelter,
it's scary, you know, So we want to make it
welcoming and you know, we have board games, we have
puzzles and a lot of things. Once they're settled down,
we see if they need any clothing, and that's when
we start assessing the situation and we start going, okay,
(05:41):
do we need to report this to Child Protective Services.
We have to call their parents because we do need consent.
But of course if it is if the people they
live with there is an abuse or neglect, we don't
contact them. We'll have CPS deal with the investigation and
they will contact them.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
So that one important thing. If it is their parents
that are you know, doing the abuse or allegedly doing
the abuse, CPS will be the one to contact the parents.
The teenager does not have okay, okay.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
Yes, so they so they're where that, you know, because
sometimes we don't want the abuser coming and taking them
and then the cycle continues, and then at that point
they probably be like, oh, I'm not going to go
back there because they didn't help me or I had
to go back home.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Trust sometimes the.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
Parents don't want us to keep them, but we try
to let them, you know what, sometimes let them stay here.
You know, we offer counseling and our other division which
is our prevention prevention, and so they can get counseling,
but we try to work with the families to make
to make the best decision for the child.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
And so how much does this cost?
Speaker 3 (06:56):
This does not cost anything. It is one hundred percent
free all our services at our Passo Center for Children.
So if they come with us without clothing, we will
go and buy them clothing, shoes, hygiene products, whatever they need.
We will help them food, everything awesome.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
And if you're just tuning in, we have Bethy Marine
olivadis Youth Outreach and Housing Division director with the Alpacos
Center for Children. We're talking about the youth emergency shelter,
currently the only runaway and homeless emergency shelter in West Texas.
So Bethy went over the process of how someone might
seek help. The first thing they should do where they
(07:37):
can find these safe spaces. Now you said that they
are allowed to be there for twenty one days. What
happens at the end of those twenty one days.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
We usually will work with the families. If it does
come to twenty one days and they're not ready to go,
we will keep working with them for just depending on
the situation. Most likely they're with us between a couple
of days to you know, the twenty one days, but
we do continue working with them and try to find
(08:08):
a family member or sometimes it's unfortunate, but CPS will
step in and they will become CPS.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Okay, and you know, and I know them over at CPS,
and it's a scary situation. But if it does come
to that where it's not safe enough for them to
go back home, then that is the best situation. It's
always harright. You know, it's going to be harder before
it gets better. And if someone so I think again,
I'm trying to remove any obstacles that like a team
(08:36):
might think of and not want to go to. So
one thing that they might a reason they might not
want to go and seek help there with the Youth
Emergency Shelter, Well, what if they call looking for me?
So if that's the case, if a teenager is there
and you know their parent who is the abuser, is
calling looking for them, I mean, are they allowed to
(08:56):
give them information? How does that work?
Speaker 3 (08:58):
So we are not allowed to give information out, especially
if it's a phone call and we don't we don't
know the person's name. You know, I can't check an
ID through the phone, so we do not give out information.
Many times the youth is the one that will give
us their parents information, so we will be calling the
parent and letting them know. Once we make contact and
(09:20):
we know it's them, that's the only way. But if
a parent or an abuser calls. We've had many times
where kids run away and they call us to say,
you know, is my child here, and I will just
go I'm sorry, but we can't disclose any information.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
So if you know, I had something personal happen myself.
So that's why I'm very curious. If someone were to call,
say their child run away, and you know it's they
are a concerned parent, is that information relate to the
child inside? Like, hey, this person said they knew you.
We didn't give them any information, but we thought you
should know that.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
Okay, No, no, because we don't want to stress them out.
You know, as it is, they're already stressed in the situation.
They're going to so much trauma. We don't want to
traumatize them again and being like, oh they know where
I'm at, they're going to come, you know, so we
do not let them know, you know, so so called
we don't give that information to them.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Perfect. So again, this is a safe space EPCCI, NCED
dot org, uh, Instagram or Facebook, l pascl Center for
Children epc C, I N seed. Now you do how
can the community support you? You say, you give them
clothing you give them the clothing, you give them food
is there. Do you accept monetary donations or donations of
(10:35):
any kind?
Speaker 3 (10:36):
Yes, we accept any donation to our main office. You know,
we're always looking for of course, are if they want
to donate clothes, it has to be new food. Even
if you want to buy a dinner for the kids
that we have that you know on a Friday, pizza
pizza party for them, it's we're welcome anything like that
(11:00):
at food, hygiene products, clothes, or you just want to
give a generous donation, you can just go through our
main office.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Okay. So if there's any businesses out there, organizations or
even individuals. It doesn't have to be a big group.
You want to sponsor a pizza party for them, help
them forget a little bit about what they're going through,
you know, EPCCI, NC dot org and Betty. Before I
ask if there's anything else you want to tell the
listening audience, I have a question for you. How does
(11:30):
it feel, since you do get to work with these kids,
how does it feel seeing them come in, having this
safe space, seeing them, you know, get a little bit
of a reprieve. How does that How do you feel
about helping them out, it's very rewarding.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
It's very rewarding because we've had so many you know,
we have stories that are not successful, and you know,
it breaks your heart. But then we have those stories
that are successful and we've pat kids call us back
and thank us, and I think that is the most
pat thing because we know at that time they're with us.
(12:03):
We don't sometimes we don't think we're reaching them because
they're teens and they don't want to listen to adults
and you know, so on. But when they call back
and they tell us, you know, because of you, I
graduated high school because of you, I went to college.
Because of you, I got myself together, and you know,
or I joined the army, and those stories is what
(12:25):
makes this all worth it, you know. And hopefully that
one thing, that positive thing that we told that youth
stays in their head for the rest of their life.
And we may think it wasn't an impact, but it was.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
I think we can all think back to sometime in
our childhood or as a teen and remember one quote.
We may not even remember who told us it, but
we remember how they made us feel. And it just
takes one person. It literally just takes one person. It
can be a stranger that you know is out there
and that cares to have that positive impact in your life.
So thank you for what you do. And Betty, is
(13:00):
there anything else that you would like to tell the
listening audience.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
You know, the programs that we have at our Pascal
Center for Children are there to help not just teens,
but we you know, we have our prevention side that
helps all ages from zero to one hundred. In our
in my division, we have from eleven to twenty four.
We also have a drop in center where youth can
come in from eleven to twenty four. It's usually they
(13:27):
can come in, take a shower, get something to eat,
watch TV, do laundry and so those are mostly for
youth that do not want to go into a shelter
or young adults, and so we're there to help them.
We have case management and then we also have two
three programs I'm sorry that are for rental assistant and
one of them is for eight for men eighteen to
(13:50):
twenty one, and then we have a family one eighteen
to twenty four and then the other one also eighteen
to twenty four.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Wow, I just keep learning more and more about the
Alpaco Center for Children. I just had two fatherhood specialists
on the show from the Fatherhood Effects Program. I worked
right next door at the at the Child Crisis Center
for a minute, So that's amazing. And that's why it's
called the l Passal Center for Children. If you need help,
you know a child that needs help, go to EPCCI
(14:17):
NC dot org. They're on Instagram, They're on Facebook on Instagram,
just on both just look for ol Passal Center for
Children to make it easier. And of course on Sunday
ninety nine point nine, ninety six point three khy Country
and Power one O two point one on our Instagram
and Facebook, there will be more information about how to
get a hold of them and this interview. Betty, thank
you so much for being here with me today.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
Thank you so much for having me. It was a joy.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
Welcome back to the l Pasel Public Forum. I am
your host, Amberbanda and today we have Nicole Anchundle from
the YWCA. She is the board member and YWC Luncheon
Committee member for the YWC. It made me maybe it
sound like you're the only board member right, one of
the board members. Nicole, Thanks right, Nicole, thank you for
being here with me today.
Speaker 4 (15:04):
Thank you so much for having me. It's a pleasure
to be here with you.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
Of course. So we're going to talk a little bit
later about a really exciting event that's happening. But first,
I've heard of the YWCA. I've entered the view the YWCA.
Before people know about the YWCA, But what services does
the YWCA actually offer the community?
Speaker 4 (15:24):
Yeah, so, you know, I didn't really get to know
all the nitty gritty about the YWCA until I recently
become a board member. But the HYEWCA has been serving
our region for over one hundred and fifteen years and
every year we reach twenty six thousand ol pass owens
and we at our four locations have health and wellness
facilities that serve the whole population, from babies age three
(15:49):
months all the way to senior citizens. At those facilities,
we have childcare, we have youth swim lessons. They're basically
community centers for our community to spend time at. In
addition to those centers, we also offer affordable and low
(16:09):
cost housing to help combat homelessness in our region and
to support women escaping domestic violence, women and children. We
also have summer camps that might be something the public
is more familiar with intercession camps, and we have daycares.
So it's a lot that we have to offer. Basically,
(16:32):
if you know you have different interests, that we have
something to offer you.
Speaker 2 (16:35):
So, yeah, the TLC the one you're talking about for women,
that one's near and dear to my heart because a
lot of people ask me Amber, where can I go
donate items? And this place actually helps women look for jobs,
gives them housing, they have their own I've been in there,
they have their own little kitchen. So for anyone listening,
if you have used clothes, because I know a lot
(16:56):
of places are only taking new clothing, but especially like
high heels, I know no longer where my high heels
are a lot of my nicer outfits, business outfits, I'm like, well,
where do I donate these? You actually have closets there
where women can go and pick out outfits for job
interviews and stuff like that.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
That's right, it's like Address for Success program and we
love to get women ready to enter back into the workforce,
give them resume training, interview training, and like you said,
go and shop for something that makes them feel their
best when going to job interviews, and so if you're interested,
we accept donations at the Sarah McKnight Transitional Living Center
(17:33):
what we call the TLC Monday through Friday eight am
to six pm. Appointments aren't needed, but it is a
secure facility, so we ask that you call in advance
to get the information about where to drop that off at.
And that number is nine one five five one nine
zero zero zero seven.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
And again all of this information will be available on
our Sunday nighty nine point nine nine to six three
k Hay Country and Power will note two point one,
Instagram and Facebook. You can go and find that phone
number and more information about what we're going to talk about.
But yeah, the TLC great place to take your clothing items.
I've done some volunteer work with them. But the YWCA,
(18:13):
you know, it has all of those different services for
the community, usually like at discounted rates, especially stuff for kids.
But what I want to talk about is now something
really fun, the thirtieth YWCA Women's Luncheon. And again if
you're just joining us, I am here with Nicole Anchondo,
board one of the board members and YWCA Luncheon Committee
(18:35):
member for the YWCA. So Nicole, let's start talking about
this thirtieth WHYWCA Women's Luncheon. When will it be and
where will it be?
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Okay, So, it's one of my favorite events of the year.
This year, it will take place on April twenty fourth.
It starts at eleven thirty, doors open at eleven am.
It happens at the Convention Center. Normally two attendees a ten,
so it's a huge production. The luncheon will go from
(19:09):
eleven thirty to one and this year we have the
honor of hosting Lucy Lou to come to a pass
and speak to us about her lustorous career. She's an
acclaimed actress, director, producer, artist and advocate and she's worked
in film, television and Broadway. So I'm really excited to
hear what she has to share with us. And it's
(19:30):
a perfect excuse to get together with your girlfriends. And
all of the proceeds support the YWC in those programs
that we just discussed. Last year, we raised just under
four hundred and seventy thousand dollars. This year, our goal
is to raise half a million. It's a lofty goal,
but more than ever, we need those funds to support
(19:51):
women and children in our community more than ever.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
Definitely. I went to last year's luncheon, and forgive me,
I cannot remember the speaker's name. I just remember that
it was so power. She was like a famite. Do
you remember who it was? She was like a favorite.
Speaker 4 (20:04):
Yes, I believe it was Geena Davis, if I remember correctly.
I want to see this.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
I don't remember. I just remember that was one of
the first women's or if not the first women's luncheon
that I had ever been to. And you know, you
go and you're surrounded by a sea of women in
their wonderful outfits. So it's a great excuse to show
off your new clothes and whatever, because that's that's all
part of it, right, It's all part of being female
and feeling empowered. It's feeling good about yourself and what
(20:31):
you're wearing helps you feel good about yourself, and raising
funds or the YWC, like you said, you know, it
goes to all So with the fund raising, you know,
people are paying, uh maybe a discounted rate or not
as much as they would pay and other places to
be a part of these activities for the YWC. So
when you say that the fund raising is going to
(20:53):
support those activities, like, what exactly is it going towards?
Speaker 4 (20:56):
Yeah, that's right. I mean, for example, I mentioned that
we have child care. We have scholarships for women who
are attending school or wanting to go back into the workforce.
They can apply for scholarships to cover that childcare. You
mentioned our gym facilities we have unlike some of other gyms,
(21:16):
there's no yearly commitment and for an individual it could
be as low as twenty eight dollars a month for
students fifteen dollars a month, and we have all of
the equipment that all the other gyms have. In addition
to childcare at those facilities, it also helps We mentioned
(21:37):
the job training that women at the shelter receive. It
helps pay for those programs. There's also a Rapper re
housing program that we have that helps people who find
themselves in sudden situations of homelessness to have a safe,
secure place to live while we help them get back
up on their feet. So each ticket is there's different
(22:00):
levels of sponsorship and you can find all this information
on our website at Ywclpasso dot org. But if you
just want to go and get a ticket, it's one
hundred dollars. You get a lunch, you get a seat,
and all of that money goes back to supporting women
and children in our community.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
And if I'm not mistaken, Lucy lou is not going
to be the only speaker, right, there's going to be
like some recognition given to some other ladies up there.
Speaker 4 (22:26):
Yes, well we will. Our president will be speaking, and
the luncheon chair will be speaking, Valerie Garcia, and we
will also have a testimonial that'll be a surprise for
everyone to hear about the day of the luncheon, but
someone who knows firsthand how life changing and transformative the
(22:48):
HYWCA can be in someone's life.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
That was something I really enjoyed about the luncheon last year.
Is again, you know, I don't remember specific names. I
just remember the motion that you felt. And it's like
that with most things, right, you don't remember certain things,
You just remember how it made you feel. And I
really liked that there was someone up there that benefited
from the fundraising that you're doing. Like here, it is
an action like we're you know, being as transparent as
(23:12):
we can. This is someone that I think they had
gotten help through the TLC and they were up there
speaking about it. And girl, you know, people think one
hundred dollars for lunch one, Like you said, it's going
towards that, like you're helping women, children get back on
their feet. You helping support these programs. But the food
is delicious. The food was so good. I remember that
chocolate cake. That chocolate cake by itself was worth one
(23:35):
hundred dollars. Yes, there's all.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
The I'll pass. The Life does a fantastic job, and
like you said, there's all. We always make sure that
there is a dessert present, so it's a cheesecake or chocolate.
I'm not on the committee that gets to choose the food,
so surprise, No, I don't get to go to the cheese.
That would be so fun. But you're right, the food
is just delicious and it's a perfect excuse to block
(23:59):
out long lunch with your girlfriends. Like you said, here
from firsthand how important this work is in our community.
I always have to bring a couple of tissues in
my purse. Yeah, like you said, it's very emotional.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
Yeah, and it's a good place to network with other women.
It's not just you know, oh, sitting here, there's Lucy Lou.
I'm never gonna you know, you might be able to
take a picture through or whatever. Afterward you get to
hear a story. But you know, afterward is and beforehand
is when the mingling starts. Because it starts eleven thirty.
Doors open at eleven, and so you get to talk
to other women in different environments, in different businesses and
(24:35):
different nonprofits. If you've already been to a few of these,
or you're involved with nonprofits, like you know, you have
your job and you also work here, then you can
go and say hi. So it is a really great
event to just go, dress up, have a good meal,
raise funds for the YWCA. And so, Nicole, I have
more of a personal question for you. Why did you
(24:55):
decide to become a board member? Why did you want
to be involved in this event?
Speaker 4 (25:00):
Well, for me personally is that right now, I'm currently
an attorney for the electric company, but previously I used
to be a prosecutor in the Olpasive District Attorney's office,
and I personally prosecuted cases involving domestic violence, child abuse,
and saw you know how prevalent those issues are in
our community. Unfortunately, and now that I don't have a
(25:23):
role in doing that, I still want to be able
to do what I can to help those victims of
domestic violence and abuse. And I see firsthand how the
WHITEBCA is able to afford people safe housing, counseling, help
(25:44):
them get back into the workforce. And you know, although
I'm not at the District Attorney's office, this is my
way to give.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
Back help them feel confident about themselves. Again, so again
it's important for people to remember. They think, why do
you say they think basketball, swimming pool, childcare? They I've
seen it personally, you've but you've seen it personally. They
help women who have been in really horrible situations with
children sometimes get back on their feet. And to me personally,
(26:12):
that's where this really comes into play. That's where I think,
you know, people are really going to find the importance
in supporting events like this, and you get to see
Lucy Lou like like what I mean, like it's some
amazing So again, if you want to if you want tickets,
you want to support, you want a sponsor, it's it's
a huge event. It's a really big event.
Speaker 4 (26:31):
And I mean I think last year two thousand people
and one thousand women depend on the convention center.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
All of that send like I descended on that chocolate cake.
If they want more sponsoring, If you want a sponsor,
you want to get a ticket, get your girlfriends together.
Why w C A L Passlo dot org. I know
a lot of y'all are receiving your tax refunds right now.
Use this for a good cause. Whywclpasso dot org. To
get your tickets. You can also call nine one five
(26:58):
five one nine zero zero zero, which I just realized
is nine one five backwards, so that's a super easy
phone number to remember. Nine one five five one nine
nothing else zero zero zero zero. On Instagram, you can
find them at ywcal Paso and on Facebook ywcal Paso
Del Lote Region for more information. Nicole, is there anything
(27:20):
else that you would like to tell the listening audience.
Speaker 4 (27:23):
This organization is near and dear to my heart. Please
help us sell out the convention center. Let's show lucylu
what an amazing community we are and continue to support
the YWCA in these difficult times that we're having. Let's
make sure we continue to support our women and children.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
Definitely, thank you for being here with me today.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
Thank you so much, Ember, it's been a pleasure.
Speaker 1 (27:44):
You've been listening to El Paso Public Forum, a weekly
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio l Paso. If you, your
organization or event would like to be featured on an
upcoming program, please email to ep Forum at iHeartMedia dot
com or call us at nine one five three five
one five four zero zero. Tune in again next week
(28:05):
for another additional of El Paso Public Forum. The preceding
program was recorded at the studios of iHeartRadio El Paso.
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