Listen To Me: Communication and Collaboration CCR Lab
2026-06-12 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Chicago) | TX
Effective communication is at the core of advocacy—and how we work together across systems shapes whether survivors can access support and stay safe. The HCDVCC Coordinated Community Response (CCR) Lab focuses on building the skills needed to communicate clearly, consistently, and with intention across sectors.

June Session: Strengthen Communication to Support SurvivorsThis session explores how communication impacts both survivor outcomes and system coordination. Participants will identify their communication style, recognize personal triggers, and develop strategies to meet survivors and partners where they are—so support is clearer, more accessible, and more effective.

Open to professionals across all sectors, especially healthcare, education, criminal justice, corporate, government, media, and faith sectors.

Making Safety Possible: The Power of Flexible Financial Assistance
2026-06-11 14:30 - 16:00 | United Way of Greater Houston, 50 Waugh Street, Houston, TX, United States
Join HCDVCC for updates on the Harris County Domestic Violence Assistance Fund (DVAF), an innovative countywide initiative led by HCDVCC since 2023, and a conversation about how flexible financial assistance helps survivors get safe and stay safe. Through partnerships with 19 grantee agencies across Harris County, DVAF provides timely, survivor-centered financial support for urgent safety needs.

From emergency hotel stays, rent, childcare, transportation to safe family or community, and medical costs to tailored supports such as internet access for virtual counseling, phone plans, or pet care, these flexible dollars help remove barriers that can stand between survivors and safety.

Hear from DVAF grantees who are helping make safety possible for survivors across Harris County by providing timely, flexible support when it matters most. Together, we’ll explore how direct financial assistance strengthens safety, stability, and long-term healing.

Featured Speakers

Laura Zavala-Membreno, LPC-S | Director, Anti-Violence Program, Montrose CenterLaura leads survivor-centered services for LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and hate violence. A trauma-informed counselor, advocate, and educator, she brings deep expertise in crisis response, prevention, and building systems rooted in safety, dignity, and healing.

Joy Green, J.D. | Executive Director, Justice for All ImmigrantsJoy is an immigration attorney with nearly 15 years of experience representing survivors of domestic violence and individuals navigating humanitarian immigration cases. As Executive Director of Justice for All Immigrants, she helps ensure immigrant survivors can access safety, legal protections, and pathways forward.

Lisa Longoria Bourgoyne, M.Ed., LPC-S | CEO, The LandingLisa brings nearly 30 years of experience supporting children, families, and survivors of exploitation and trafficking across Houston and Harris County. A respected trauma-informed leader, she is known for building compassionate systems of care that foster healing, dignity, and restoration.

Moderator: Shannon Falk, MSW | Project Manager, HCDVCCShannon manages the Domestic Violence Assistance Fund at HCDVCC, partnering with 19 agencies across Harris County to provide flexible financial assistance to survivors fleeing domestic violence and sexual assault. With over 20 years in social work and deep expertise in coordinated systems response, Shannon brings both frontline experience and countywide insight into what survivors need to reach safety.

Open to service providers, advocates, community members, and anyone interested in strengthening survivor safety in Harris County. No registration required.

Boba & the “Tea” – Teen Focus Group on Dating + Healthy Relationships
2026-06-06 12:00 - 14:00 | TX
For teens ages 14–18

Join HCDVCC for a free teen focus group exploring dating, healthy relationships, and what teens think about relationships today. Through open, respectful conversation, teens will have the opportunity to share ideas, discuss topics like healthy communication and unhealthy relationship dynamics, and help shape future youth programming.

This is a judgment-free space, and teens will never be pressured to share personal experiences. The session will be facilitated through a respectful, youth-centered approach designed to help teens feel heard, connected, and supported.

Free boba + snacks provided, and participants will receive a $20 gift card for their time. Parent/legal guardian transportation required.

Facilitators:Marianne Hopida, HCDVCC Community Engagement Intern and creator of the Youth Initiative Program, brings a background in human rights and youth engagement through her Master’s in Global Affairs from Rice University.

Allina Husain, English II teacher at Langham Creek High School (CyFair ISD), brings daily experience supporting teens and facilitating thoughtful conversations around relationships, communication, and wellbeing.

Hosted in partnership with Boba & Broth.

Protecting Capacity: Community Meeting
2026-05-14 14:30 - 16:00 | United Way of Greater Houston, 50 Waugh Street, Houston, TX, United States
Getting what you need to keep showing up:

This work isn’t easy, and pretending it is won’t help us get through it.

Advocates across helping professions are carrying more than ever in their roles at agencies, and as the people others turn to as friends, neighbors, and family.

We invite helpers across our community to invest in themselves in a session on what it actually takes to care for yourself while showing up for others with Thecia Jenkins.

Thecia Jenkins is a human behavior expert specializing in gender-based violence education and prevention. Certified in Emotional Intelligence and Trauma-Informed Practice, she serves as Director of Training at HCDVCC.

CCR Lab: Support Survivors Through Warm Referrals
2026-05-08 09:00 - 10:00 | TX
Most survivors don’t reach formal support—but they do show up in our systems. The HCDVCC Coordinated Community Response (CCR) Lab builds practical skills to support them in those moments.

May Session: Support Survivors Through Warm ReferralsThis session focuses on how to move beyond simply sharing resource numbers to making safer, more supportive connections. You’ll learn how to approach referrals with attention to safety, timing, and language—so survivors are more likely to access the support they need.

Participants will explore the difference between cold and warm referrals, practice using clear and supportive language, and apply a simple 3-step process they can use right away, along with identifying one improvement to strengthen their current workflow.

Open to professionals across all sectors, especially healthcare, education, criminal justice, corporate, government, media, and faith sectors.

Brain Health & Survivor Safety
2026-04-22 09:00 - 14:00 | Bioscience Research Collaborative, 6500 Main St, Houston, Texas, 77030
This cross-sector convening explores the impact of brain injury on survivors of domestic violence. Hear from leading researchers and local practitioners as we build shared understanding, surface real-world challenges, and identify opportunities to better support survivor safety and healing. This conversation is designed to raise awareness and connect stakeholders across disciplines working at the intersection of brain health and violence prevention.

Speakers include:

Michael W. Williams, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Clinical PsychologyDirector, Measurement and Intervention for Neuropsychological Disorders (MIND) Laboratory, University of Houston

Harris A. Eyre, MBBS, PhD Senior Fellow for Brain Health and SocietySenior Advisor for Neuroscience, Office of InnovationFaculty Scholar, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University

Katsiaryna Kazhuro, PhD, CCC-SLPClinical Educator, University of Houston Department of Communication Sciences and DisordersLicensed Speech-Language Pathologist

Practitioners panel with Josh Brown, Chief Executive Officer at Fort Bend Women’s CenterDr. Ketam Hamdan, Mental Health Director An-Nisa Hope CenterMariyam Imtiaz, Trauma Support Partner, HCDVCCAbeer Monem, Senior Director of Innovative Services, HCDVCC

Our goal is to spark curiosity, build shared understanding, and open the door for meaningful collaboration across research, clinical practice, and community response.

This event is free to attend but is invite-only. If you work at this intersection and are interested in attending, please reach out to rkhare@hcdvcc.org

Building Capacity: Community Dialogues on Care
2026-04-17 08:30 - 12:30 | TX
Across our field, we’re hearing the same thing – stress is high, and burnout is real. This gathering is designed to offer something practical in response.

HCDVCC and Rice University invite you to Building Capacity: Community Dialogues on Care on April 17, featuring RaQuel Hopkins, MBA, LPC. RaQuel brings a clear, grounded approach to understanding emotions as data – offering tools to build resilience and expand capacity in ways that are actually usable in our day-to-day work.

This half-day experience is designed to support us, our teams, and the survivors we work with, through real conversations, practical guidance, and space to connect.

You’re welcome to bring your team; we just ask that everyone registers so we can plan accordingly.

April 17 | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PMGlasscock School, Rice University (West Lot 4)Location: Hudspeth Auditorium, Glasscock School of Continuing EducationParking: West Lot 4

The morning will also include breakout sessions and community spaces.

Free to attend, registration required. CEUs available.With thanks to the Moody Foundation for making this possible.

CCR Lab: Support Survivors Without Forcing Disclosure
2026-04-10 09:00 - 10:00 | TX
Only about 33% of gender-based violence is reported or reaches a crisis center—meaning most survivors are navigating harm without formal support. The HCDVCC Coordinated Community Response (CCR) Lab is a three-month series designed for professionals across sectors to build practical skills to better support survivors when they show up in their systems.

April Session: Support Survivors Without Forcing DisclosureLearn how to share information, start conversations about relationships, and connect people to support without requiring disclosure. This session introduces Universal Education and Warm Support, with time to practice, receive feedback, and leave with resources you can use right away.

Open to professionals across all sectors, especially healthcare, education, criminal justice, corporate, government, media, and faith sectors.

Investing Early: Community Partner Meeting
2026-04-09 14:30 - 16:00 | United Way of Greater Houston, 50 Waugh Street, Houston, TX, United States
Early Childhood Resiliency Fund: Community Update & Panel

Join HCDVCC for a community conversation on strengthening early childhood resilience for children exposed to domestic violence.

This session will provide an update on the Early Childhood Resiliency Fund—an investment in local organizations advancing innovative, developmentally responsive support for young children and their families. We’ll hear directly from practitioners about what’s working, where gaps remain, and how early intervention can shift long-term outcomes.

This conversation is designed for professionals across sectors working with children, families, and survivors, as well as those interested in prevention, systems coordination, and community-based solutions.

We’re joined by leaders and practitioners advancing this work across Harris County:Robin Gandara, LPCDirector of Client Services, FamilyTime Crisis & Counseling Center

Robin Gandara is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Director of Client Services at FamilyTime, where she oversees counseling, shelter operations, case management, outreach, and the 24-hour crisis hotline. Over eight years, she has advanced from counselor to senior leadership, helping shape the organization’s direct service approach.

She led the transformation of FamilyTime’s emergency shelter into a trauma-informed, healing-centered space—redesigning the environment, updating policies to center survivor voices, and expanding programming to better support survivors and their children.

Robin is deeply committed to providing culturally responsive, compassionate care and expanding access to mental health services. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and M.A. in Counseling from Sam Houston State University and is an active member of ACA, TCA, and Harris County SART.Charity Eames, Ph.D.Senior Director of Counseling and Family Services, DePelchin Children’s Center

Charity Eames is the Senior Director of Counseling and Family Services at DePelchin Children’s Center, where she oversees counseling, mental health, case management, and parenting support programs. With over 22 years of experience in child abuse prevention, she has worked as a home- and school-based counselor and family therapist supporting children and families.

She provides clinical supervision to staff and leads a range of state and federal grant-funded programs, including initiatives where DePelchin serves as both lead agency and service provider. Charity is trained in nine levels of the Triple P parenting model and brings deep expertise in family-centered, evidence-based care.

Charity holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and is a licensed counselor and family therapist. Her work is grounded in strengthening families and expanding access to high-quality mental health support for children and caregivers.Pastor Raymond Steward IICEO & Founder, Hope Active

Raymond Steward II is the CEO and Founder of Hope Active, a Houston-based organization supporting families and at-risk youth. With over 20 years of experience in community service, leadership, and team building, he launched Hope Active in 2017—following Hurricane Harvey—to create consistent, community-driven support for underserved populations.

He leads initiatives that partner with local schools and juvenile justice programs to connect youth and families with resources, guidance, and opportunities. His work is rooted in the belief that support should be ongoing—not only in moments of crisis—and focused on creating pathways forward.

Raymond’s approach centers on connection, accountability, and community care—offering a hand up, not a handout. His vision for Hope Active is to serve as a bridge between people and possibility, strengthening communities through sustained support.

Practical Law Seminar: Legal Tools for Moving Forward
2026-03-28 09:30 - 13:00 | The Montrose Center, 401 Branard Street, Houston, Texas, 77006, United States
Join us for Legal Day: Practical Law – Legal Tools for Moving Forward, a free, in-person event offering legal education and direct access to attorneys for survivors of domestic violence.

Attend short, practical sessions on key legal topics and connect with attorneys through one-on-one consultations and small group discussions. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore resources from community organizations offering additional support.

Lunch will be provided, and confidential registration options are available for safety.

Training: Trauma-Informed Responses for Advocates Working with Children & Youth
2026-03-26 10:30 - 12:00 | TX
This interactive session, “What’s Wrong With Those Kids?”, reframes challenging youth behavior through a trauma-informed lens. Designed for advocates, church leaders, and crisis center staff, this 90-minute toolkit equips participants to recognize the impact of witnessing intimate partner violence, respond without re-traumatizing, and implement practical documentation and referral strategies. Participants will leave with concrete job aids, language scripts, and confidence to support children and youth affected by domestic violence while strengthening their organization’s trauma-informed practices.This is a virtual training on Zoom.

March Community Partner Meeting
2026-03-12 14:30 - 16:00 | United Way of Greater Houston, 50 Waugh Street, Houston, TX, United States
You’re invited to our Monthly Community Partner Meeting, where community voices come together to shape our shared future.

Topic: The Lived Experience of Women with Initmate partner Violence Accompanied by Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Intimate partner violence affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime worldwide. The head and face are the most common targets during intimate partner violences episodes, occurring almost 90% of the time. Of these, approximately half will have symptoms consistent with mild traumatic brain injury, yet only a third of them will seek healthcare services. Even when they do seek services, many mild traumatic brain injuries go unrecognized by clinicians. This leaves this population at risk for experiencing chronic symptoms such as, poor health, back pain, headaches, depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, poor concentration, and emotional dysregulation. While plenty of surveys and screening tools have provided researchers with quantitative data in recent years, no one has asked these women how the mild traumatic brain injury from intimate partner violence has impacted their daily functioning. This presentation will share narratives from the women themselves along with the overall interpretation of the data so that we may be able to better understand their challenges in the aftermath of intimate partner violence.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER:

Sandra Sanchez, PhD, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, AFN-C has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years. As the current nursing program director for the Forensic Nursing Program at Harris Health, Sandra leads a team of nurses that care for sexual assault, intimate partner violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking. Her practice as a forensic nurse since 2003 has allowed her to care for more than 2,400 victims of violence. She has also testified in court on numerous occasions as an expert in sexual assault and intimate partner violence cases. She received her PhD in Nursing Science in 2025. Her research focuses on the lived experience of women with traumatic brain injury from intimate partner violence patient. Her goal is to improve the overall quality of care to victims and minimize the physical and psychological impact of interpersonal violence by promoting hope, resilience, and restoration of the lives of those afflicted by interpersonal violence.
