Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to  Karen M Gonzalez-Torres. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Karen, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

The mission of both Helping Hands and Nurturing Lives is deeply personal and rooted in a profound life-changing experience.

For Helping Hands, it all began with a harrowing journey through domestic violence, where my life and the life of my child were in grave danger. I had to make the heart-wrenching decision to escape, seeking refuge in a shelter. However, this experience opened my eyes to the painful reality that many survivors of domestic violence face. The lack of compassion and genuine support for survivors and their children in these shelters deeply troubled me.

It was this anger and frustration, stemming from my own traumatic experience and the realization that the systems in place were failing survivors, that drove me to create Helping Hands Resource Center. I wanted to establish a place where survivors could not only receive basic necessities but also find specialized support tailored to their unique needs. My personal journey through the darkness of domestic violence led to the creation of a beacon of hope for those who have experienced similar trials.

Nurturing Lives, on the other hand, was born out of a parallel passion to create a more compassionate and trauma-informed society. Through my personal experiences and the challenges faced during my journey to escape domestic violence, I recognized the glaring need for systems to become trauma informed. The trauma I had experienced fueled my drive to educate and advocate for trauma-informed care, not only for survivors of violence but for society as a whole.

These missions are meaningful because they are born from lived experiences. They represent a personal commitment to ensuring that others do not have to face the same challenges and hardships that I endured. Helping Hands and Nurturing Lives are the embodiment of resilience and the unwavering belief that positive change can emerge from personal pain and suffering.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Nurturing Lives:

Nurturing Lives is a compassionate organization dedicated to empowering individuals affected by trauma and contributing to the creation of safer and more resilient communities. Our journey into this industry was driven by a profound commitment to the well-being of those impacted by trauma and domestic violence.

Our Services: We offer a comprehensive range of trauma-informed services, including trauma-focused domestic violence education, parenting classes, art groups for healing and self-discovery, prevention programs, and trauma-informed domestic violence support and recovery.

Problems We Solve: We address the critical issues of trauma, domestic violence, and parenting in a compassionate and trauma-informed manner. We provide healing, support, education, and prevention to individuals, families, and communities.

What Sets Us Apart: What truly distinguishes Nurturing Lives is our holistic approach to healing and empowerment. We combine creative expression, education, and community involvement to nurture lives impacted by trauma and violence. Our tailored programs and community-centered initiatives emphasize resilience, empathy, and empowerment.

What We’re Most Proud Of: We take immense pride in the transformative impact we’ve made in the lives of trauma survivors and communities. Our most significant achievement is witnessing individuals and families finding healing and resilience in the face of adversity.

Main Messages for Clients/Followers/Fans: We want our potential clients, followers, and supporters to know that Nurturing Lives is a beacon of hope and empowerment for those affected by trauma and domestic violence. We are driven by compassion and a commitment to fostering a world where everyone thrives. Our services, programs, and initiatives are a testament to our dedication to creating safe, nurturing, and healing environments. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of trauma survivors and communities.
Helping Hands Resource Center:

Helping Hands Resource Center is a community-focused organization with a mission to support individuals affected by trauma and violence by providing them with the essential resources necessary to progress, rebuild, and ultimately prevent future violence.

Our Services: We offer a variety of community events, educational programs, and resource initiatives aimed at preventing violence, offering healing, and empowering individuals and communities.

Problems We Solve: Our core mission is to address the significant challenges faced by individuals affected by trauma and violence. By providing essential resources, educational events, and community support, we work to create a safer environment and prevent future violence.

What Sets Us Apart: What distinguishes Helping Hands Resource Center is our commitment to proactive, community-driven approaches in preventing violence. Our focus on equipping individuals and communities with the tools they need to rebuild and heal sets us apart.

What We’re Most Proud Of: We take immense pride in the positive change we’ve inspired within communities. Our greatest achievement is witnessing individuals and communities rise above the challenges they face, rebuild their lives, and actively work towards preventing violence.

Main Messages for Clients/Followers/Fans: We want potential clients, followers, and supporters to know that Helping Hands Resource Center is a catalyst for positive change and violence prevention. Our commitment to providing essential resources and fostering community resilience is a testament to our dedication to creating safer and more empowered communities. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and contribute to a future free from violence.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

We use Etsy and Ebay to sell some of the products created by survivors and the others we have acquired to also help us raise funds. Our shop on Ebay is fairly new so we have not had may sales. We have had Ebay for a few years and have been more successful there.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

We use Mailchimp and send out emails throughout the month. We also use Eventbrite and have been able to gain new audience for our newsletter.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.helpinghandsrc.org www.nurturingl.com
• Instagram: @helpinghands_dv @nurturelives_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helpinghands.DV
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ0uzkpTYwMh6jFJAz7Sofw

Image Credits
I have permission to use images