April, is National Sexual Violence Awareness Month, seeking to unite the community to raise awareness, promote prevention and its eradication.
Orlando, FL – Non-profit organization, Nuevo Sendero, successfully held “The Hispanic Sexual Violence Summit” #thesilencedtruth, committed to educating and preventing sexual violence.
The free-to-access event offered educational panels and workshops for mentors, entrepreneurs, leaders of various organizations, faith communities, business, health professionals and survivors.
Dr. Diana Mejía, CEO and founder of the organization, said she feels blessed by the success of the Summit in fostering dialogue to combat violence, harassment and sexual abuse, and continuing with prevention initiatives to promote mental health.
Olga Aymat, president of Nuevo Sendero, thanked the participating organizations for their support, highlighting Esperanza United and Mujeres Latinas en Acción. Directors of universities such as Ana G. Méndez, Florida Technical College, Polytechnic University Orlando Campus, UCF Center for Public and Nonprofit Management, and associations such as the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce and its president Jorge Figueroa, the HAPBWA Association, chaired by Matty Frías, summit ceremony master and Joussette Calvo, Alliance for Safety and Justice, who joined this great meeting with more than 200 participants.
During the activity, the Nuevo Sendero organization recognized Mrs. Yolanda Hansen from the Osceola Star newspaper, in a very emotional moment that was joined by her daughter Yanin Hansen, when remembering the career of her father Guillermo Hansen, who always supported initiatives like these and his commitment to the best causes.
Also receiving a special distinction were the mayor of the city of Kissimmee, Olga González, and the representatives of United Esperanza Dolka Zelaya and Diana Rosado. The artist Xiomara Aleksic presented a reflective painting where a large part of the public was able to participate in the activity called “Art to heal you.”
WORKSHOPS AND EDUCATIONAL PANELS
The workshop “Understanding the different roles as faith leaders to foster the support network for sexual abuse in families,” was led by Dr. Ginette E. Olsen, PhD, LMHC Everyone’s Counseling Center, while Juan Pablo Chávez, Florida director of Crime Survivor for Safety and Justice, addressed the topic: “Building protective and resilient factors to strengthen families in the face of sexual violence.”
The morning workshops concluded with the topic “Know your rights regarding sexual violence during the complaint process”, led by lawyers Bette Collazo and Ingrid Morfa with the testimony of lawyer Edwin Bello.
The afternoon agenda began with the family and health panel entitled: The Impact of Sexual-Emotional, Physical and Social Violence”, moderated by Dr. Michelle Almeida, Mental Health Advisory with the panelists Dr. Ginette E. Olsen, Bernadette M Sierra M.S. EdD., Miss Achievers; Maritza Concha- UCF and Maribel Gómez Cordero, Orange County Commissioner, District 4.
The legal panel included resources and guidance on Sexual Violence and was moderated by Melissa Marantes, director of Orlando Center for Justice with panelists John Martino, Community Legal Services; Valerie González, Technical Assistant and Sexual Abuse coordinator of the organization Mujeres en Acción and the lawyers Ingrid Morfa and Bette Collazo.
The workplace harassment panel on sexual abuse prevention was moderated by Marie Angie Rosario, president of Mujer Emprende Latina and panelists: Carmen Rodríguez, Federal Department of Labor; Karla Muñiz, IMA Human Resources Director; Karla Radka from Senior Resources Alliance and businesswomen Yanira Suárez and Gazzara.
The panel on the role of the media was moderated by Olga Aymat and featured panelists: Yanin Hansen, Osceola Star newspaper; Edwin Diaz, Univisión Orlando and announcer Oscar Pineda.
About New Path:
The Nuevo Sendero organization maintains its social commitment to providing comprehensive support to survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, in addition to developing an extensive prevention and education program in our community, through seminars, conferences, workshops and educational activities that raise awareness. , in addition to promoting tolerance and mutual respect.
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