This week we are highlighting one of our advocates of the month. We started this initiative within our coalition to give our programs the opportunity to showcase and celebrate the amazing advocates that they have on staff. Advocacy is a difficult job and they are such a fundamental part of supporting survivors, so we wanted to make sure that our advocates across New Mexico know that we see them and value their hard work and dedication to the cause.
This is part one of a two-part episode to honor two amazing advocates that were nominated by Linda Tollefson of El Refugio Inc. in Silver City, New Mexico. Linda nominated both Diana Gordillo and Clarissa Sierra for their outstanding work and we are honored to have them as our April Advocates of the Month.
Diana's Bio:
"Diana Gordillo is the Daytime Shelter Advocate for El Refugio Inc., in Silver City, NM. In her role at El Refugio Inc., Diana conducts client’s intakes, enters information into the client database, transports clients to appointments, completes case management, safety plans and goals with client’s while they are in shelter. She also assists with any manual labor and cleaning needed around the shelter. Diana has a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in chemical dependency counseling from Western New Mexico University. Her long-term goal is to work with at-risk youth. During her time at El Refugio, Diana has been able to help many clients get permanent housing, mental health and medical help, and even has assisted clients with the process of going back to school. When she is not at work, Diana enjoys spending time with her 2-year-old daughter, her husband, friends, and family. She enjoys traveling, the outdoors, and art. Diana has successfully sold two of her own paintings but likes to keep her art a hobby as an outlet for stress and self-care."
You can find out more about El Refugio, Inc. at https://www.eridv.org/
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, there is help available. Please call The Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit their website on a safe device at www.thehotline.org. Or find your nearest New Mexico domestic violence program at https://www.nmcadv.org/find-nm-resources. You are not alone.
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