History
Our History
Center for Survivors of Torture has been providing integrated services to torture survivors in Texas since 1997. CST initially began as a project of Proyecto Adelante, a Dallas non-profit that provided legal services to seekers of political asylum. While addressing the legal needs of its clients, the staff of Proyecto Adelante found that as many as one-third of the clients had personally suffered torture, had witnessed torture or knew someone who had been tortured. The legal staff was unable to address the mental health needs of the clients, which impeded the staff’s legal representation of the torture survivors.
In 2000, Center for Survivors of Torture became an independent 501(c)(3), based in Dallas. In 2005, we opened a second office in Austin. In addition to main offices in Austin and Dallas, CST maintains satellite offices in San Antonio with Our Lady of the Lake University. CST clients also receive services from pro-bono professionals who are trained by CST to be culturally competent and linguistically diverse professionals to meet the health, mental health, legal and other needs of torture and trauma survivors.
CST
Over
The
Years
1997
CST starts
CST is started as a project of Proyecto Adelante in Dallas, Texas.
2000
CST becomes a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
2005
Austin office opens
9415 Burnet Road, Suite #201
Austin, TX 78758
2010
Ad Wendler Award received
Celia VanDeGraaf was awarded the Ed Wendler Award in Austin for outstanding service in the refugee community
2012
Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
CST was one of the two agencies to present client testimony at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in Washington, DC
2013
New training, treatment plans, and services
CST provides mental health services for any resettled refugee here less than five years
CST provides assistance for all clients that require disability services
CST increases capacity to provide services to children
2014
Excellence in service
CST is recognized nationally for excellence in service provision
2015
Free community college education program
CST initiates free community college education program for clients as part of our social services
2016
IRCT Assembly and Scientific Symposium
CST represents North America at IRCT Assembly and Scientific Symposium in Mexico City
2017
Mental health first aid training
CST provides Eight-Hour Mental Health First Aid Training (MHFA) class for Bhutanese leaders and Texas community leaders
2018
Mental health and wellness Education
CST provides free two-day training for Texas in Mental Health and Wellness to educate the community and follow-up monthly brown bag luncheons
2019
Comprehensive training
CST provided a comprehensive training for those professionals are interested in providing pro-bono trauma-informed counseling
2020
COVID-19 Response
CST quickly implemented: basic needs and food provision (over 26,000 meals), telehealth and over 200 technology devices, COVID-19 training in twelve languages, and extended hours to include nights and weekends
Zoom Groups
CST initiated Five Zoom Groups with interpretation that are still in progress as of 2022. These include: Coping Skills, Art, Mindfulness, Stress Support, and Meditation.
ORR/NCB Community Practice
CST’s Executive Director began leading ORR/NCB Community of Practice (CoP), Peer Consultation Groups (PCG) to present, with 12 members per iteration
2021
Mental health first aid training
CST provided three free six-hour Mental Health First Aid trainings to the community
Webinars for attorneys
CST paired with Center for Victims of Torture to provide group counseling and related services and webinars for attorneys helping asylum seekers in detention at the Southern Border.
2022
25th Anniversary
CST’s 25th Anniversary serving survivors of torture with all free services
2023
CST introduces three new successful Afghan programs
- Afghan Wllness Program (AWP)
- Preferred Communities (PC)
- Survivors Impacted by Combat (SASIC)