Nacogdoches Chamber Stakeholder Conference Call with "Diving Into Human Trafficking" presentation

Nacogdoches Chamber Stakeholder Conference Call
with special presentation by Maria Villareal, Family Crisis Center of East Texas, "Diving Into Human Trafficking"
Hear updates from community leaders.
10:00 a.m.       Welcome & Speaker Introduction by C. Wayne Mitchell, President & CEO, Nacogdoches County Chamber
“Diving into Human Trafficking” by Maria Villarreal, Sexual Assault/Human Trafficking Specialist  Family Crisis Center of East Texas
Stephen F. Austin Update by Dr. Scott Gordon, President, Stephen F. Austin State University
City of Nacogdoches Update by Mario Canizares, City Manager, City of Nacogdoches
NEDCO/ City of Nacogdoches Update by Larissa Philpot, President & CEO, NEDCO
Office of the Governor Representative by Betty Russo, Regional Representative for Governor Greg Abbott
Hospitality Industry Update by Sherry Morgan, Director, Nacogdoches CVB      
Social Services Update by Gary Lee Ashcraft, President & CEO, Nacogdoches Area United Way
Regional Report by Nancy Windham, President & CEO, Texas Forest County Partnership
COVID-19/ City Information by Jessica Sowell, Main Street Manager, City of Nacogdoches
NISD Update by Les Linebarger, Communications Director, NISD

About the speaker:
Maria Villarreal is a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault. Her victimizations have helped her understand how trauma can impact a survivor and has also helped her understand how manipulative perpetrators can truly be. Through her resiliency and faith, she found a way to help others so survivors may not go through hard times alone. Mrs. Villarreal has had the honor and the privilege of being the Sexual Assault Services Coordinator for the Family Crisis Center of East Texas for three years. She assisted survivors of sexual assault by providing legal advocacy, accompaniment, and crisis intervention. Maria was the supervisor of the Sexual Assault Volunteer Advocate Program. Mrs. Villarreal accepted the position as the Sexual Assault/Human Trafficking Specialist in November 2019. She majored in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in December 2016. She graduated with her Master’s degree in Victim Services Management from Sam Houston State University. Mrs. Villarreal enjoys spending time with her husband, dog, and cat. She enjoys working out, reading a good book, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.