This summer, we have had the pleasure of hosting 14 student interns from the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley and Our Lady of the Lake University. They were able to learn about our ongoing mission to help first responders, veterans and their families affected by trauma and PTSD. On Friday, August 20th, we honored our Nueva Luz interns by conducting a traditional hooding ceremony. Congratulations and we wish you all a bright future!!
Nueva Luz Trains Mission PD to Become PEER Facilitators
This past Friday, we had our first graduates as “Trauma-Informed Peer Facilitators” from Mission PD. Our goal is to educate our first responders to facilitate critical incident debriefings internally within their respective departments. Safety, support, and wellness are crucial within the first 24 hours. Our facilitators participated in a 40-hour course consisting of psychophysiology, individual and group interactions, a grueling exam, and open discussion on how they will apply their new skill set. We had a few guest speakers including Mission Mayor Armando O’Cañas and one of our board members, Chief Rene Lopez, Jr (ret). We’re looking to make a difference: one child, one family, and one community at a time.
~ Gilbert B Lopez – Founder/Executive Director
Nueva Luz Trains Veterans on PTSD and Trauma
This past October, Dr. Norma Villanueva and the staff and interns of Nueva Luz Foundation took a trip over to our community partner, STAIVA, in Brownsville. STAIVA is a nonprofit that helps veterans and their families in need. We held a training course for these veterans and their spouses on the effects of trauma and PTSD.
NLF at the Emergency Preparedness Camp
The Nueva Luz Foundation is honored to partner with the Weslaco Fire Department in sending one of our counselors to the Youth Emergency Preparedness Camp to guide some of the students. At the camp, the students learned the fundamentals of becoming a member of the Community Emergency Response Team. The Nueva Luz Foundation is honored to have partaken in this event as it has helped out the community’s youth learn skills that will be beneficial to the community.
All Hazards Conference 2018
The Nueva Luz Foundation was honored again this year to participate in the 2018 All-Hazards Conference! We have collaborated with our first responders that also participated. Dr. Villanueva performed her presentation on de-escalation for a full house of first responders! Thank you to the organizers of the event for inviting us.
CPS Training with UTRGV
Our Clinical Director, Dr. Villanueva trained the staff of CPS on the subject of traumas at the UTRGV CESS Building.
141st Annual SFFMA Conference
The State Firefighters and Fire Marshal’s Association has invited us to their 141st Annual Conference in San Marcos! There, we have met with the brave men and women who risk their lives to save ours in times of crisis. While there, Dr. Villanueva presented for the firefighters. We thank them for extending their invitation to us.