El Paso Public Forum

Segment 1: Fatherhood EFFECTS Program
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Calling all dads and father-like figures. The El Paso Center for Children has a Program just for you called the "Fatherhood Effects Program." Listen as Amber Banda talks with Gabino Meza and Ron Long, dads and Program Specialists for the Fatherhood Effects Program. 
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Learn about their classes and support groups, the importance of men mentoring men, and how the program has changed the lives of so many dads. Having a male-only support group for dads has a huge impact, and how you can be a part of it.
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T...

Segment 1: El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, covering El Paso, Culberson and Hudspeth Counties
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Did you know that food insecurity in our region is 40%, which is DOUBLE the National average and DOUBLE the amount of any city of comparable size in Texas? Local food insecurity doesn't just affect the homeless, it affects your neighbors, friends, teachers, etc.
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Amber Banda talks with veteran Kris Yagel, Interim CEO, and Candice MacBlain, Chief Development Officer for the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank. They talk about the logistics of how the food is acquired, sorted...

Segment 1: El Paso Child Guidance Center
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If you are looking for a place that specializes in therapy, psychiatry and case management for children, listen up! The El Paso Child Guidance Center offers affordable and free support to help children with their mental health.
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Amber Banda talks with Cathy Gaytan, CEO of the El Paso Child Guidance Center. The center offers many free and income-based support systems for kids and their families. Listen in to learn how to apply for help, the differences between therapy, psychiatry, and case management there, and more. 
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For m...

Segment 1: For the first time ever, the Sun City brings together Ft. Bliss and Destination El Paso to celebrate the United States of America turning 250 years old this Independence Day!
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Amber Banda talks with Roberto Medina, aka "Chico," Director of Ft. Bliss DFM-MWR, and Alexandria Acosta, Strategic Marketing Manager for Destination El Paso.
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Saturday June 27th: Pop Goes the Fort from 5-10pm at Biggs Park. Bring your own lawn chair and snacks and arrive early to enjoy vendors, games, and live music from a variety of genres including the 1st Armored Division Band, El...

Segment 1: CASA; Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
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Amber Banda interviews Mia Reza, Volunteer Recruitment Training Lead and Anna Carillo, Marketing and Venets Coordinator for CASA of El Paso
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You can make a big difference in the life of an abused or neglected child. Listen to learn how you can support these children either by becoming a CASA or donating to their cause. Learn the process of becoming a volunteer, how CASA has helped kids who need courtroom representation, and more.
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Find them on Instagram and Facebook: CASA of El Paso or visit...

Segment 1: Rescue Re-Shot Project, helping animals get adopted using professional photography!
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Amber Banda talks with Lilian Blanco and her husband Jaime Blanco, co-founders of Rescue Re-Shot Project. Lilian also serves as the president of the organization, and Jaime is not only the treasurer but the actual photographer! They work with local animal welfare agencies to help get the best side of the animals to help get them forever homes. They have special skills under their belts that are specifically for animal photography, and have their own business doing animal portraits.
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They've done many successful...

Segment 1: Strive Now EP; Empowering the Sun City youth to find their purpose and become leaders in our community
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Amber Banda talks with Israel Castro, Executive Director, and Raul Garcia, Program Coordinator, for Strive Now in El Paso. This relatively new non-profit exists to empower young people to build character, clarity and leadership by connecting values to real-life at school, at work, and in their communities.
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But what exactly does that mean? EP Strive Now uses mentors in their fields to inspire and teach kids what to expect in various...

Segment 1: Lumbre Motorcycle Club partners with "Gangster for Jesus" Ministry to raise funds for the Opportunity Center for the Homeless in El Paso.
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The Opportunity Center for the Homeless provides emergency and permanent housing options, food and other assistance to over 2,000 individuals on average each year. "Gangster for Jesus" ministry has their Church in the Alley right next to the Opportunity Center for those wanting to find hope and faith, whatever your background. Lumbre MC is a non-profit motorcycle club and a member of the El Paso Motorcycle Coalition and have done various events to support...

Segment 1: Plant A Seed
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Plant A Seed is no stranger to the El Paso Public Forum. Founded by Wendy Gamillo and her husband Miguel Gamillo, Plant A Seed has done many projects with various organizations and vulnerable populations in the border city. From their "Generations of Kindness" program that connects youth to seniors, their "My Quince" program which gifts a lucky girl a quince she would otherwise not be able to afford, their work with children's hospitals and so much more, Plant A Seed has been progressing quickly in their short time of being founded.
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Amber...

Segment 1: El Paso parents: Do you wish there was a place online where you could find all types of out-of-school activities for your kids based on their interests, cost, location within the city, and more? Well THERE IS! 
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The Paso Del Norte Health Foundation has partnered with The United Way of El Paso County to support their initiative known as "The Boost Network," a free online resource for parents looking for out-of-school activities. It's basically your one-stop-shop for things to do for your kids when they're not in school and with summer coming up, t...

Segment 1: Get ready to glam up for the Child Crisis Center of El Paso's Hollywood For Hope Gala!
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Amber Banda interviews Andrew Castaneda, Executive Director for the Child Crisis Center of El Paso, as well as Crystal Gurrola, Fund Developer for the Child Crisis Center of El Paso. They talk about how the center is an emergency resource for the families of El Paso, what happens when a child is in their care, the goals of the center and the families that it serves, and what items you can donate to help...

Segment 1: Guardians of the Children, Sun City Chapter
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Amber Banda, (aka Flex in the biker world), talks with Treadz and Rigs, Treasurer and Sgt at Arms, respectively, for Guardians of the Children, Sun City Chapter, (GOC). GOC is an international non-profit biker organization that provides support to kids who have gone through abuse, especially those having to testify in court.They will "adopt" these children into their biker family, be in the court room with them, and provide continued support outside of that not only for the kids but for the families as well...

Segment 1: The Evelyn Solis Foundation
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Amber Banda interview Lorraine Reyes, Executive Director, and Ivan Reyes, Secretary & Member of the Board of Directors for The Evelyn Solis Foundation. 
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This foundation was named in honor of Lorraine's late mother, who did a lot of volunteer work and encouraged her children to do the same. This organization supports women and children in the El Paso community through meaningful events and continued philanthropy.
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Examples of these events include taking families from shelters to the Zoo, doing Mother's day events at these shelters, a...

Segment 1: Relentless IQ
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Relentless IQ is a new non-profit created to "break barriers and create opportunities for individuals with intellectual, social, emotional, and/or physical challenges," especially coming out of high school.
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Amber Banda interviews Relentless IQ Founder and President Daisy Godfrey and her husband Bryan Godfrey, Founder as well as Director of Marketing & Outreach. Daisy and Bryan have twin daughters with cerebral palsy and were looking to create a community with other parents where their loved ones would feel included, supported as well as empowered.
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Listen to...

Segment 1: Crimestoppers of El Paso
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Amber Banda interviews the new board for Crimestoppers of El Paso; Leon Ernest Gluck, President, Adriana Shelton, VP of Administration, and welcomes back Sgt. Sambrano, Law Enforcement Coordinator for CSEP.
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Listen to learn what changes this new board plans to implement, how to report crimes anonymously, how the community makes a huge difference in helping to resolve crimes in our community, and much more.
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They will be having community events throughout the year, including plans to partner with local businesses for their "Crimestoppers Pursuit Partner...

Segment 1: Homes For Our Troops is coming to El Paso for the first time!
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Homes For Our Troops builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post 9-11 veterans, and they have come to El Paso to build a home for a veteran here in the Sun City!
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Amber Banda has the honor of talking with Bill Ivey, Executive Director for Homes For Our Troops, as well as veteran Army Staff Sargeant Pascual Delgado.
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Listen to learn how this organization works, how homes are built...

Segment 1: Mark your calendars; the El Paso Science Festival is back! On April 18th and 19th, the El Paso Convention Center is going to be a place of inspiration, science, and wonder.
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Amber Banda talks with Romelia Acosta, Marketing and Communications Director for the El Paso Science Festival. Get a look ahead into what this year's fair will offer including the return of astronaut Jose Hernandez and a new feature, "Science in the Movies." This means you can learn from a real-life astronaut and learn how science plays a role in the cinema, (t...

Segment 1: El Paso MS Community
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Amber Banda interviews Natalie Asencio, Founder and President, and Daniel Valdez, Board Member, for the El Paso MS Community. According to elpasoMScommunity.com, "Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord." 
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Amber, Natalie and Daniel talk about how and why El Paso MSC began, how they provide support, and even go over a list of celebrities with MS including Christina Applegate, Ozzy Osbourne's son Jack Osbourne, and Clay Walker.
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They are having their MS Warrior Wa...

Segment 1: Sober Streets Movement
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Not so fun fact: El Paso has the highest percentage of fatalities involving drunk driving in America, with almost half of traffic deaths in the city involving a drunk driver.
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Amber Banda interviews Lupe Hernandez and Aracely Rascon, co-founders of Sober Streets Movement in El Paso, TX.
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Lupe and Aracely share their stories of how they each lost a loved at the hands of a drunk driver. Lupe talks about the need for change when it comes to legislature to make our streets safer f...

Segment 1: Desert Rescue 915, helping to restore our desert one cleanup at a time!
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Amber Banda interviews Rick Flores, Executive Director for Desert Rescue 915. They talk about how they conduct their cleanups, where they help clean up, the impact it makes on our city, and some things Rick wishes the public knew about this mission.
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They are participating in an upcoming event called "Plant A Tree' at Estrella Park Saturday Feb 28th from 9-11am. It's a free event open to the community, trees will be provided. Just bring your gloves, sunscreen, and...

Segment 1: Scales and Tails Pet Rescue
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Let's learn about El Paso's only non-profit exotics pet rescue! Scales and Tails Pet Rescue rescues, rehabilitates, rehomes, and educates the public on how to care for animals such as lizards, snakes, turtles, and other exotic and unique pets!
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Amber Banda interviews Erika Pasieczny, (aka Dr. Paz), president of Scales and Tails Pet Rescue and a former principal in Dallas, TX.  They talk about what animals they help, how she finds them homes, some common misconceptions about these animals, (especially snakes), how to care f...

Segment 1: We Hike Adventure
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Get your hiking boots ready! WE HIKE is a non-profit aimed at educating the community on outdoor and hiking safety and getting people to go outside and hike!
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Amber Banda interviews Lisa Enriquez, President, and Karl Widmer, Outreach Specialist, for WE HIKE Adventure. Lisa came back to El Paso and founded WE HIKE because of her love of the outdoors and to help create a community of hikers. From beginner to experienced, including ADA hikes, WE HIKE is here to get people o...

Segment 1: Ready One Industries
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In El Paso, have you seen that huge building next to Sam's on Pellicano and wonder what it is? That's where they make military uniforms! From BDUs to other kevlar equipped uniforms, Ready One Industries is a non-profit that makes these uniforms from scratch. The unique thing about Ready One Industries is that a majority of their workforce employes people with disabilities; from vision impairments to veterans returning with severe PTSD, Ready One Industries is looking to hire for more positions.
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Amber Banda interviews...