Center for Survivors of Torture http://cstnet.org Wed, 15 May 2013 20:04:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Monthly Learning Luncheons for Torture Treatment Providers to be Hosted by CST http://cstnet.org/2013/05/01/monthly-learning-luncheons-for-torture-treatment-providers-to-be-hosted-by-cst/ http://cstnet.org/2013/05/01/monthly-learning-luncheons-for-torture-treatment-providers-to-be-hosted-by-cst/#comments Wed, 01 May 2013 20:23:01 +0000 admin http://cstnet.org/?p=638 Continue reading →]]> Join CST Executive Director, Celia VanDeGraaf and staff on May 1, 2013 for an open discussion regarding the provision of services to torture survivors at our “Brown Bag Learning Luncheon”.

All providers who would like guidance in order to work with survivors are welcome to attend. “Learning Luncheon” will be an ongoing service to providers on the first Wednesday of each month at our Austin office at 5124 Burnet Road or by request via WEBEX. Please call (512)358-4612 for additional questions.

]]> http://cstnet.org/2013/05/01/monthly-learning-luncheons-for-torture-treatment-providers-to-be-hosted-by-cst/feed/ 0 Meadows Foundation Will Double Your Generous Donation to CST http://cstnet.org/2013/05/01/meadows-foundation-will-double-your-generous-donation-to-cst/ http://cstnet.org/2013/05/01/meadows-foundation-will-double-your-generous-donation-to-cst/#comments Wed, 01 May 2013 20:22:18 +0000 admin http://cstnet.org/?p=636 Continue reading →]]> The Meadows Foundation of Dallas, Texas has awarded a grant of $100,000 to Center for Survivors of Torture and will match $1:$1 for funds that we are able to raise up to $50,000, between February 6 and October 31, 2013. This means every dollar that you donate to help survivors of torture will be doubled! Please join us in the matching funds campaign!

The Meadows Foundation is among the most recognized private philanthropies in the country, both for its grantmaking practices and its active engagement in advancing the field of private philanthropy.

]]> http://cstnet.org/2013/05/01/meadows-foundation-will-double-your-generous-donation-to-cst/feed/ 0 The Hammill Foundation Awards $7,500 For Disabled Survivors http://cstnet.org/2013/05/01/the-hammill-foundation-awards-7500-for-disabled-survivors/ http://cstnet.org/2013/05/01/the-hammill-foundation-awards-7500-for-disabled-survivors/#comments Wed, 01 May 2013 20:21:49 +0000 admin http://cstnet.org/?p=634 Continue reading →]]> The Donald D. Hammill Foundation in Austin, Texas has awarded $7,500 to Center for Survivors of Torture to assist disabled torture survivors. This grant will enable CST to provide services to a growing population in our community that would otherwise face limited resources or be overlooked.

The Donald D. Hammill Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people who have disabilities, the aged, and people who are financially disadvantaged, including the working poor and those who are indigent or chronically ill.

]]> http://cstnet.org/2013/05/01/the-hammill-foundation-awards-7500-for-disabled-survivors/feed/ 0 From the Executive Director – April 2013 http://cstnet.org/2013/05/01/from-the-executive-director-april-2013/ http://cstnet.org/2013/05/01/from-the-executive-director-april-2013/#comments Wed, 01 May 2013 20:21:14 +0000 admin http://cstnet.org/?p=632 Continue reading →]]> Dear Friends and Supporters,

In May, I will celebrate eight remarkable years at CST. As I review the past eight years, I can say without reservation that each year’s accomplishments surpass those of the previous year. I attribute these impressive milestones to the stewardship of the Chairman and the Board of Directors in advancing CST’s mission, to the boards’ substantive contributions, and to our professional staff, whose focused commitment and spirit keep the organization strategically impactful.
This month’s newsletter charts the robust growth path of CST, including a new grant from the Donald D. Hammill Foundation for disabled torture survivors, as well as the launching of monthly learning luncheons to provide clinical guidance for counseling collaborators.

Warmly,

Celia VanDeGraaf
Executive Director
director@cstnet.org

]]> http://cstnet.org/2013/05/01/from-the-executive-director-april-2013/feed/ 0 Where to Donate This Spring? http://cstnet.org/2013/04/05/where-to-donate-this-spring-2/ http://cstnet.org/2013/04/05/where-to-donate-this-spring-2/#comments Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:30:11 +0000 admin http://cstnet.org/?p=613 Continue reading →]]> Remember to think of CST as you begin spring cleaning this year! We are always in need of in-kind donations and they are always tax-deductible.

Our Wish List:
Bus Passes (Austin and Dallas)
Clothes and shoes
Blankets, bedding
Household goods
Toiletries
Backpacks
Snack foods for clients before appointments
Juice
Office paper

]]> http://cstnet.org/2013/04/05/where-to-donate-this-spring-2/feed/ 0 Learning Luncheon Hosted by CST http://cstnet.org/2013/04/05/learning-luncheon-hosted-by-cst/ http://cstnet.org/2013/04/05/learning-luncheon-hosted-by-cst/#comments Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:29:22 +0000 admin http://cstnet.org/?p=611 Continue reading →]]> Join CST Executive Director Celia VanDeGraaf and Clinical Director Samantha McGrath for an open discussion regarding the provision of services to torture survivors at our first “Brown Bag Learning Luncheon”. Both Celia and Samantha will be available to answer your questions on our first meeting from 12:00pm-1:00pm on Wednesday April 10th.

All providers who would like supervision in working with survivors are welcome to attend. “Learning Luncheon” will be an ongoing service to providers on the first Wednesday of each month at our Austin office. Please call (512)358-4612 for additional questions.

]]> http://cstnet.org/2013/04/05/learning-luncheon-hosted-by-cst/feed/ 0 Torture Treatment Training a Success in Austin http://cstnet.org/2013/04/05/torture-treatment-training-a-success-in-austin/ http://cstnet.org/2013/04/05/torture-treatment-training-a-success-in-austin/#comments Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:29:04 +0000 admin http://cstnet.org/?p=606 Continue reading →]]> Over 160 professionals from all over Texas joined CST in our exclusive torture treatment training in Austin, Texas on March 6 and 7. Jim Lavelle, LICSW from the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma (HPRT), and Dr. Hawthorne Smith, from the Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture (PSOT) joined local experts Dr. Karin E. Montero, Edna Yang, J.D., and Ben Warner, Ph.D., LPC, in providing educational workshops on how providers can successfully work with torture survivors.

With Texas ranking 1st in refugee resettlement but 51st (behind Washington, DC) in mental health funding, this training was a great opportunity to discuss how to better provide services for this underserved population.


Dr. Hawthorne Smith presenting on “Marginalization and Safety: A Trauma Informed Approach”


CST Counselor Carmel T. Drewes, LCSW and CST Clinical Director Samantha McGrath, LPC-S

]]> http://cstnet.org/2013/04/05/torture-treatment-training-a-success-in-austin/feed/ 0 Double your Donation to CST, Thanks to Meadows Foundation http://cstnet.org/2013/04/05/double-your-donation-to-cst-thanks-to-meadows-foundation/ http://cstnet.org/2013/04/05/double-your-donation-to-cst-thanks-to-meadows-foundation/#comments Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:27:36 +0000 admin http://cstnet.org/?p=604 Continue reading →]]> We are pleased to announce that The Meadows Foundation of Dallas, Texas has awarded a grant of $100,000 to Center for Survivors of Torture (CST). The Meadows Foundation is going to match, $1:$1 for funds that we are able to raise up to $50,000, between February 6 and October 31, 2013. This means every dollar that you donate to help survivors of torture will be doubled! Please join us in the launch of our matching funds campaign!

The Meadows Foundation is among the most recognized private philanthropies in the country, both for its grantmaking practices and its active engagement in advancing the field of private philanthropy.

]]> http://cstnet.org/2013/04/05/double-your-donation-to-cst-thanks-to-meadows-foundation/feed/ 0 From the Executive Director – March 2013 http://cstnet.org/2013/04/05/from-the-executive-director-march-2013/ http://cstnet.org/2013/04/05/from-the-executive-director-march-2013/#comments Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:26:47 +0000 admin http://cstnet.org/?p=602 Continue reading →]]> Dear Friends and Supporters,

I want to begin this letter with a special thank you for all of your support and continued interest in Center for Survivors of Torture. In every aspect of the organization, this was a benchmark year. It is my great pleasure to share with you that soon we will be able to provide further Mental Health Services for Refugees from a new grant from Office of Refugee Resettlement for $250,000. Recent arrivals have shown a compelling need for mental health services upon arrival.

As always, I want to send a heartfelt thank you to our funders, collaborators, staff, and volunteers new and old, who make our work possible every day. Thank you for your continued support!

Warmest regards,

Celia VanDeGraaf
Executive Director
director@cstnet.org

]]> http://cstnet.org/2013/04/05/from-the-executive-director-march-2013/feed/ 0 Where to Donate This Spring? http://cstnet.org/2013/03/07/where-to-donate-this-spring/ http://cstnet.org/2013/03/07/where-to-donate-this-spring/#comments Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:34:04 +0000 admin http://cstnet.org/?p=592 Continue reading →]]> Remember to think of CST as you begin spring cleaning this year! We are always in need of in-kind donations and they are always tax-deductible.

Our Wish List:
Bus Passes (Austin and Dallas) ***MOST CRITICAL NEED***
Clothes and shoes
Blankets, bedding
Household goods
Toiletries
Backpacks
Snack foods for clients before appointments
Juice (apple is the most popular!)
Office paper

]]> http://cstnet.org/2013/03/07/where-to-donate-this-spring/feed/ 0