Previous vitalvoices 2022-2023
The vitalvoices Speaker Series serves as a forum to bring scholars and practitioners alike to speak to students, faculty, alumni and community partners at UHD's College of Public Service. It is our hope that those we invite to speak will share, from the heart, their professional experiences, their knowledge, and how the work they do impacts society as a whole. We like to feature people whose work is interdisciplinary and touches upon the fields social work, criminal justice and urban education.
Sex Trafficking In Houston: Hidden In Plain Sight
October 18th - 20th, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Hosted by: Ms. Rhonda Kuykendall
Sex Trafficking: Hidden in Plain Sight was an extremely successful three day conference. Please click on the title above to watch each evening's presentation. Thank you to everyone that joined us, both virtually and in person. And, thank you to all our guest speakers for coming out and informing us about sex trafficking.
The De-institutionalization Process: What Veterans Wish You Knew
November 10th from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Hosted by: Mr. Steven Villano
Military service is difficult, demanding and dangerous. Returning to civilian life
is difficult, demanding and disruptive. It poses challenges for the men and women
who served in our armed forces as well as their loved ones. This event will give you
a better look into the issues veterans face when returning to civilian life and what
they wish others knew to better support them.
Situational Awareness
February 15th 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Hosted by: Lieutenant Trinity Delafance of the UHD Police Department
Lieutenant Trinity Delafance of the UHD Police Department, shares how to assess your
environment, he questions common assumptions and how that can put us in danger. He
also speaks about how to trust your instinct when things don’t “feel” right. Participants
learn what things to regularly look for (such as knowing where the exits are), etc.
This session also includes a simulation of what to do in a dangerous situation. Participants
review emergency response plans and most important, learn how to create their own
unique survival mindset.
Why Family Collaboration in School Matters
March 2nd 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by: Dr. Ann Ishimaru, Associate Professor of Education at the University of
Washington
UHD's College of Public Service and UH's College of Education invite you to join Dr. Ann Ishimaru of University of Washington speak on how effective partnerships with families and communities are essential for transforming educational systems.
Building a Movement: The Intersection of Social Work, Education, & Criminal Justice
March 7th 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Hosted by: CPS Gator Advisory Board
Partnering with the CPS Gator Advisory Board (CPS’s Gator Advisory Board members are students who represent the disciplines offered at the college: Criminal Justice, Social Work, and Urban Education.) to provide students and community members alike an opportunity to ask the tough questions like, “what’s it really like working in the public service fields today?” Get answers about what is currently going on within police departments, schools, and social service agencies from the “boots on the ground” people who work there.
Hosted by: Richard Simmons & Jackie Aguielra
This vitalvoices event will explore how both functional literacy and financial literacy contribute to the economic success in society. The discussion will explore the state of financial literacy in Texas, how the Mayor’s Office of Adult Literacy (MOAL) involvement in local national adult literacy initiatives impacts the economic health of our city, and highlight how the College of Public Service and the United Way of Greater Houston have been working to promote financial literacy.
For further information contact Steven Villano, director of the Center for Public Service and Community Research at villanos@uhd.edu.