BY LISA HAMPTON
Chair
Los Alamos County Health Council

I wanted to personally invite you to attend the Thursday, Oct. 1 Health Council Meeting at noon, in the Municipal Building.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
First observed in October 1981 as a national “Day of Unity,” Domestic Violence Awareness Month is held each October as a way to unite advocates across the nation in their efforts to end domestic violence. Communities and advocacy organizations across the country connect with the public and one another throughout the month to raise awareness about the signs of abuse and ways to stop it, and to uplift survivor stories and provide additional resources to leaders and policymakers.

Jan McCray, CEO of Esperanza Shelter in Santa Fe. Courtesy photo

Our guest speaker this month will be Jan McCray, CEO of Esperanza Shelter in Santa Fe. Ms. McCray will speak to us about domestic violence, which affects everyone. She will discuss learning to recognize the signs of abuse, supporting someone you care about, and taking steps toward safety. She will also address how domestic abuse topics (such as Violence in the Workplace, Dating Violence, LGBTQ+ Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence in Older Adults, Children & Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking) impact different ages, relationships, and communities.

Ms. McCray leadsEsperanza’s Shelter’s strategies and operations to provide survivors of domestic violence in Santa Fe with the services they need. With more than 20 years of experience in the legal and nonprofit fields, her role at Esperanza includes collaborating with local, state, and federal agencies and groups to develop and implement trauma-informed service best practices, evaluate program quality and outcomes, and build relationships with community stakeholders, volunteers, and donors. She holds a JD of Law and a Bachelors in Sociology and Criminology. She is an expert in the correlation between homelessness and domestic violence as well as domestic violence strangulation.

Ms. McCray is a passionate and dedicated professional who strives to raise awareness and drive positive change to end interpersonal violence, while creating a safe and empowering environment for survivors and staff.

Esperanza Shelter’s Mission & Values

“Mission

Our mission is to create a world where HOPE is the foundation of all our eƯorts. We strive to inspire and uplift those aƯected by domestic violence, fostering an environment where support, self-determination, authenticity, commitment and compassion are at the heart of everything we do.

“Values

Healing: We are committed to supporting the emotional and physical healing of survivors, providing resources and care to help them recover and rebuild their lives.

“Opportunity: We are committed to providing survivors with the opportunity to rebuild their lives, offering resources and support that enable them to create new paths and achieve their goals.

“Partnership: We value strong partnerships with survivors, community organizations, and other stakeholders, working together to provide comprehensive support and create lasting impact in the fight against domestic violence.

“Empowerment: We are dedicated to equipping survivors with the tools, resources, and support needed to rebuild their lives, regain their independence, and make informed choices for their future.”

The Los Alamos County Health Council

The Los Alamos County Health Council is a state-mandated entity, and because of that has specific deliverables that must be met each year. In 2019, the State of New Mexico established 33 health councils and 10 tribal councils (through the passing of HB 137), which have legislative funding appropriated to them each year for carrying out a set of deliverables that includes education and outreach through the community on a variety of health-related topics.

It also serves as an advisory board to County Council on community health and wellbeing. Monthly meetings take place on the first Thursday of each month, 12-1:30 p.m. in a hybrid format, at the Municipal Building and on Zoom. Members of the public are welcome at the meetings. If you would like to watch the meeting virtually the Zoom link will be found in that month’s Health Council Meeting agenda on the County’s Legistar Calendar: https://losalamos.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx