Family Resiliency Center (FRC) – El Paso, TX

Family Resiliency Center (FRC)

Rationale:

On August 3, 2019, a young man entered a busy Walmart store located in the heart of El Paso, Texas and opened fire. This tragedy took the lives of 23 individuals, injured 48 others and deeply affected countless El Pasoans. The crime, investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime, has often been described as the deadliest attack on Latinos in modern times.

In the wake of the mass casualty event, local, state and community agencies identified the need to stand up a resiliency center for long-term community recovery. In collaboration with county and city governments and funding through the Office of the Governor, United Way of El Paso County (UWEPC) was entrusted to be the backbone agency to host the El Paso United Family Resiliency Center (FRC) and lead efforts in long-term recovery.

Goals:

• To collect and disseminate accurate and timely information concerning available resources in COVID-19 response and recovery.
• To provide direct case management and resource navigation services to individuals and families within the El Paso region directly impacted by COVID-19.
• To provide individuals affected by COVID-19 with referrals to basic needs assistance and other related resources to enhance recovery and resiliency.
• Work closely with City and County governments as well as community partners to gather and release the most up-to-date information.
• Increase awareness of available services and assistance through a comprehensive marketing awareness campaign.

Project Summary:

With input from community leaders, stakeholders, future FRC participants and staff, UWEPC developed a comprehensive strategy for operation, services, programming, marketing and outreach of the FRC. This action plan for the El Paso United FRC took into account the needs of participants as well as the desires of the general community to help determine how the FRC facilitates long-term community recovery in partnership with key stakeholders.

UWEPC leadership included the following as part of the development of the action plan:

• Development of standard operating procedures for resource navigation, outreach, partnerships, marketing and programming.
• Establishing the need and importance of creating partnerships and engaging with the community, with clear guidelines on how to support FRC activities and mission.
• Defining the mission and vision of the El Paso United Family Resiliency Center.
• Defining the roles of FRC staff and limitations of services provided.
• Defining the target population to be served by the FRC.
• Setting priorities for serving the El Paso community, including needs assessments and continuous flexibility and improvement of programming and outreach.

The El Paso United Family Resiliency Center (FRC) opened its doors on December 19, 2019 offering a place of healing and support dedicated to serving those directly and indirectly affected by the tragedy. The focus of the FRC is to disseminate information and assist community members in navigating the variety of services available in response to August 3rd.

The FRC team is comprised of resiliency navigators who, through personalized case management, connect individuals and families to credible programs and services to address their specific needs. Our culturally sensitive and trained navigators provide referrals for counseling, financial planning, legal guidance and spiritual care as well as offer documentation assistance, education on reducing mental health stigmas and peer support groups. Overall, the team aims to help visitors feel heard and supported.

United Way and the FRC are dedicated to the long-term healing of the community. Services and programs offered by the FRC will continue to evolve along with the needs of the community and of those affected by the traumatic event. In addition to helping individuals navigate through community resources, the FRC works to reduce mental health stigmas through education, outreach and targeted messaging. The FRC also facilitates programming in non-traditional therapies and support services for specialized populations to promote resiliency and encourage healing throughout the broader community.

Engagement Strategies:

• Included guidance from local leaders and stakeholders in the determination of the strategic focus of FRC activities and decisions.
• El Paso United FRC Advisory Committee holds bi-monthly meetings to further engage communities in the inner-workings of the FRC.
• The FRC Advisory Committee includes representation from the County of El Paso Victims Services, the City of El Paso, Emergence Health Network, Paso del Norte Community Foundation, the El Paso Community Foundation, NAMI El Paso, a County Commissioner and Licensed Professional Counselor.
• A survey was conducted by United Ways of Texas in June 2020 regarding the financial impact of COVID-19 on El Paso citizens.

Outcomes – Success Stories:

Participant “A”

Among the El Paso United FRC family is Participant “A”, a 75 year-old woman who enrolled on January 27, 2020. On the day of the tragedy, she was getting an oil change at the Cielo Vista Walmart when she heard gunshots. She was able to escape with another elderly woman who she guided to an exit at the back of the store.

However, when she enrolled with the FRC she was struggling to pay her property taxes and was at risk of losing her home. She was approved to receive an allotment from One Fund El Paso, but had not received it because it could affect the public benefits she receives. Through navigation and with the help of the National Compassion Fund, the FRC was able to get Participant “A” what she needed to save her home.

In October 2020, Participant “A” and her closest neighbors created the Washington-Delta Neighborhood Association, and currently meet virtually with City Representatives monthly to discuss concerns within their community. In a small way, the new Neighborhood Association was possible through the work of the FRC, which improved Participant “A’s” connection to her community.

Participant “B”

Participant “B” is a single mother of 4 children. She is an asylum seeker in El Paso whose son was present at the tragedy of August 3rd, 2019. Participant “B” is self-employed, she sells beauty products and jewelry to pay her rent and utility bills, where the pandemic has left her unable to sell as she used to. She’s also at home supporting her children’s virtual learning. Even though she is home, she stays positive and active, she calls her clients to sell products and when she needs help, she reaches out to the FRC for assistance.

In November 2020, an FRC resiliency navigator assisted her in applying to Project Bravo’s Community Card. Together, they worked on completing the application and providing all the documents needed. After Thanksgiving, she received a letter stating she was eligible for the community card worth $2,000 dollars. Participant “B” was so happy, since she now had money to buy clothes for her kids, house items, and most importantly pay for her son’s medication. Participant “B” is always trying to find the best for her children, including alternative therapy.

On December 1st, one of her sons tried to commit suicide, and was taken to University Behavioral Health of El Paso (UBH). She was devastated and very worried for her son and the rest of her children. After offering counseling services several times throughout the year, Participant “B” accepted the help. The FRC was able to provide her family a referral the following day to El Paso Child Guidance Center. Participant “B” is now receiving counseling once a week to start, and her son was discharged from UBH before Christmas. At this time Participant “B” and her children are receiving counseling and she is very thankful every time she receives assistance and guidance form the FRC program and her EPCGC therapy.

Additional Resources:

2021 All-America City Finalist – El Paso, TX

Local Contact:

Christina Lamour
United Way of El Paso
100 N. Stanton St.
El Paso, TX 79901
915-533-2434 ext. 232
[email protected]