May is Mental Health Awareness Month

A Word From Mark

Dear Friends,

I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to those who joined us at our Cirque du Famille ball. It was truly a pleasure to have our "famille" with us for such a memorable evening. We hope you enjoyed the mesmerizing performances and had a wonderful time dancing the night away.

A profound thank you goes to one of our courageous survivors, Ting Ting, who graciously shared her story with us. Once filled with hopes and dreams for her family and future, Ting Ting faced the harsh reality of a life no longer safe for herself and her daughter Zixi. Her story is a testament to resilience, to the power of family, and to the transformative impact of compassion and care. Through her journey, Ting Ting embodies the spirit of courage and determination, inspiring us all to believe in the possibility of brighter tomorrows.

We are continually inspired by this community that surrounds us, and events like these remind us of the bonds we share and the magic we can create together. Thank you once again for your unwavering support and generosity. Your donations will go directly towards our survivors and building a community free from violence.

With appreciation,

Mark

Read More From Mark

Embracing Vulnerability: Pathway to Empowerment

"I can't shut my brain off. I just want to be mentally strong and love myself again." These words encapsulated Jose's feelings as he embarked on his therapy journey. Facing the aftermath of his father's tragic passing and the subsequent dissolution of his marriage, Jose found himself overwhelmed by grief, confusion, and self-doubt.

Initially hesitant, Jose sought solace and support at his local Family Resource Center, recognizing that his weight loss, flashbacks, and deep sadness were more than he could handle alone. He was then referred to Radiant Futures for individual counseling where Jose bravely confronted his preconceived notions about therapy and masculinity.

Jose's Journey Continues

Normalizing Mental Health Support for Survivors of Trauma

May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the importance of mental well-being and to break down the barriers that prevent individuals from seeking support. Radiant Futures invites everyone to join in normalizing the act of seeking mental health services, particularly for those impacted by traumatic experiences such as domestic violence or human trafficking.

Recognizing the need for mental health support may not always be as easy as we may think. Traumatic experiences like domestic violence and human trafficking often leave deep emotional wounds. Individuals may grapple with a myriad of emotions including:

Grief: Individuals affected by domestic violence or human trafficking may grieve the loss of their sense of security, the rupture of relationships, or the erosion of their self-concept leading to feelings of emptiness and despair.
Loss: In the context of trauma, individuals may experience the loss of trust in others, the breakdown of relationships, and the shattering of their sense of security.
Shame and Guilt: Shame involves a pervasive sense of unworthiness or defectiveness, often stemming from internalized beliefs about one's perceived flaws or failures. Guilt, on the other hand, arises from feelings of responsibility for wrongdoing or harm inflicted on others. These feelings can be exacerbated by societal stigma and misconceptions about the dynamics of abuse, leading survivors to internalize blame and struggle with self-acceptance.

Come join us as we collaborate with the Chance Theater for their production of Alma. When you use promo code RF4CT, 30% of the ticket price will be donated to Radiant Futures.

Alma and her daughter, Angel, made sixteen wishes long ago: good health, love, carne asada every day, perfect SAT scores, and a spot at UC Davis, to name a few. But now that Angel is 17, she’s got a different vision for her future than her immigrant single mom. Featuring the powerfully fresh voice of playwright Benjamin Benne, winner of the National Latinx Playwriting Award, Alma is a poetic, funny, and timely play filled with lots of amor and a touch of symbolism. It begs the question: what does the American Dream mean today—and who does it belong to?

We hope to see you there!

Ticket Information

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714-992-1939 | text love@radiantfutures.org | info@radiantfutures.org www.radiantfutures.org

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