Mike Drinkard , Big Bend Community Center , Terilingua
boxes . With travel restrictions we cannot provide legal help for them . Because they ' re over there , in Ojinaga . Here in Presidio many stay quiet because they don ' t know about a lot of resources . And they don ' t know where to go . They ' re scared to call to the police . We want them to know they don ' t have to go back to the house with the fighting or with the violence . We can offer them shelter . If they are here in Presidio , we can provide them with legal services . We can help them with rent as they look for a job . We can offer them a community of support , that can make a big difference . Our women ’ s support group has 30 women aged 18 to 80 . They bring potluck and talk . It can be fun , silly , serious , or whatever . It helps people know they are not alone and that they have support .”
In Alpine , where the population is near double the other towns , there ’ s less ability to have one-to-one connections . Letty says , “ The biggest challenge is getting the word out , so people know we are here to help them , whether it ’ s domestic violence , sexual assault , or violent crime . We depend on vital partnerships with schools , volunteers , law enforcement and other loyal supporters to educate everyone in our community that we are here , we can help with food , shelter , support groups , hotline support and rent as they get a new footing in their life .”
In these remote regions , Letty and her crew are determined to not let anyone fall through the cracks . “ Each region is so different with different needs . We hire from within the community to make sure the needs are being met by people who understand and don ’ t judge .” One advocate confides , “ It ’ s hard sometimes when they tell their story . I want to cry but I can ’ t . I need to stay strong for them . I will cry later .”
Regardess of the type of violence victims have suffered , staff , volunteers and community partners work toward one common goal : that no one has to suffer through abuse . There is tangible , long-term help for anyone to get through the crisis and back on their feet again , maybe for the first time .
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