In this edition
- Publications
- Community Involvement
- Community Partnerships
- Conference Participants
- 40-Hour Hope Advocate Training
- Upcoming Trainings
- Upcoming Events
- Additional Resources
About the Newsletter
Welcome to the University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Hope for Family Resilience Newsletter series! This series serves as a vital resource for individuals and families seeking support, education, and resources to build resilience and foster healthy relationships. Led by our dedicated team of experts, we aim to provide evidence-based strategies, insights, and information to empower individuals and communities to navigate challenges such as domestic violence, family dynamics, and interpersonal relationships. Whether you're looking to enhance your understanding of these issues, access valuable resources, or participate in training programs, our newsletters are here to guide you on your journey towards greater resilience and well-being. Stay connected with us as we continue to share valuable content and opportunities for growth and support.
Publications
Why is it so difficult for survivors to leave abusive relationships?
In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October), Associate Professor Pamela B. Payne explains the complex realities survivors face when attempting to leave abusive relationships. Payne details that the decision to leave an abusive relationship is not a single action, but a difficult process hindered by multiple barriers, including fear, financial dependence, emotional manipulation, social stigmas, and “investment” tactics (such as shared children or time spent together). Learn more about these complexities and the vital role of safety planning and resource access in promoting a survivor’s long-term well-being.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE BY PAYNE
What are the main stressors that can increase domestic violence rates during the holidays?
As the holidays approach, the season can bring added pressures that may increase the risk of intimate partner violence. According to experts, Pamela B. Payne and Hannah Barti, factors like financial strain from gift-giving or travel, increased alcohol consumption at gatherings, and reduced access to support systems can heighten tensions in already vulnerable households. Gain deeper insight into the seasonal dynamics of the risk of intimate partner violence during the holidays and the critical role of awareness and support in fostering safety.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE BY BARTI & PAYNE
Community Involvement
St. Judes Ranch for Children Gala for Good
On Sept. 20, 2025, members of the Hope and Recovery Teams, including Elizabeth Ornelas and Micah Stoor, had the privilege of attending the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children “Gala for Good.” They were joined by the Director of Government and Community Engagement and the Director of the Collegiate Academy for an inspiring evening dedicated to supporting children and young adults in crisis.
The event, held at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, brought together community leaders, advocates, and supporters to celebrate St. Jude’s Ranch’s ongoing mission to provide healing, hope, and new beginnings for children and youth who have experienced abuse and neglect. The night featured powerful stories, uplifting entertainment, and opportunities to contribute to the continued success of this life-changing organization.
Our team was proud to represent Extension and stand alongside others in the community who share our commitment to recovery, empowerment, and compassionate service.
WestCare's Annual Trunk-or-Treat
Extension's Hope and Recovery Team had the privilege of participating in WestCare's Annual Trunk-or-Treat event at the Women’s and Children’s Campus, where over 350 community members joined us for our Inside Out Themed interactive mental health learning game. The game focused on identifying emotions and practicing emotional regulation. The team also came up with a take-home activity for children to be able to discuss their feelings with parents to help identify and strengthen their social emotional development. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear were all there to greet community members, many of whom have connected with our team before through incarceration support, recovery programs, trainings, community events, or the Mom and Me Camp. We heard things like, “Hey it's the HSF girls!” The team, in addition to their many daily responsibilities, made this large effort to assure that events like these are powerful reminders of why community engagement matters. They help us build trust, foster connection, and bring our recovery work full circle. We’re honored to hold this space for healing, learning, and togetherness.
Narcan Training
On Sept. 8, 2025, our Hope Coordinator, Charel Elwell completed the certification to teach the Naloxone Overdose Prevention Training. This means that Elwell is now qualified to teach this vital training, equipping not only the Hope and Recovery teams, but also any other community members with the essential knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. This certification greatly enhances Extension’s capacity to promote public health and safety in our own community. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Hope team if you or your agency are interested in taking this training to learn how to save a life and help the opioid epidemic.
13th Annual Healthy Kids Festival
The Hope and Recovery team took part in the 13th Annual Healthy Kids Festival at the East Las Vegas Community Center. Our team operated the Body Mass Index (BMI) station, providing height and weight measurements while engaging with parents about practical ways to encourage healthy habits and active lifestyles within their families.
Throughout the event, we connected with 86 youth, sharing resources and information to support overall wellness and family engagement in health-focused activities.
The Meadows Training
The Hope and Recovery team recently participated in the Mounjaro, Mushrooms, and Magnets: Can Any of Them Fix Addiction? event, hosted by Meadows Behavioral Health Center. The session featured Meadows Senior Fellow Kevin McCauley, MD, MPH, who provided valuable insights into the various categories of addictive substances and emerging treatment perspectives.
Our team had the opportunity to host an information table, connect with attendees, and share details about the Hope and Recovery Teams’ programs and services. The event offered an excellent opportunity to engage with professionals and community members dedicated to advancing addiction recovery efforts.
Community Partnerships
Chicanos Por La Causa
The Hope Team is proud to announce a new partnership with Chicanos Por La Causa! Chicanos Por La Causa is a community organization dedicated to empowering individuals and facilitating growth in our community through programs in five areas of impact: Health and Human Services, Housing, Education, Economic Development, and Advocacy.
On Sept. 19, Extension was proud to host the Chicanos Por La Causa Youth Build graduation! This inspiring event celebrated the achievements of 11 youth and young adults who successfully completed the program, earning their HiSet high school equivalency certificates and gaining valuable vocational training in construction. This celebration highlighted the power of education, skill-building, and community partnership in creating bright futures and helping them overcome adversities.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CHICANOS POR LA CAUSA
The Shade Tree
Extension’s Hope and Recovery Teams are excited to bring the How to Avoid Falling for a Jerk or Jerkette classes to The Shade Tree, a local domestic violence shelter for women and children! This evidence-based course helps participants recognize unhealthy relationship patterns, understand core values, and give participants insight needed to form safe, respectful, and lasting relationships. Through this partnership, we continue our commitment to promoting healthy relationship education and supporting survivors on their journey to empowerment and stability to hopefully break the cycle of domestic violence.
LEARN MORE ABOUT The Shade Tree
Conference Participants
Embracing Life as Women Conference
The Hope and Recovery Teams were fortunate enough to attend CARE Coalition’s Annual Embracing Life As Women Conference on Sept. 5. The teams had the opportunity to have an information table during the networking hour to promote the 40-hour Hope Advocate Training. They were able to network with several other agencies within the domestic violence, recovery, and mental health fields.
The Embracing Life As Women Conference offered an inspiring afternoon of learning, connection, and empowerment. Community members came together to engage in meaningful discussions about women in recovery, including two keynote speakers who delivered educational and encouraging information for all in attendance.
2025 Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence Annual Conference
At the 2025 Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence Annual Conference: Pathways to Prevention, Pamela Payne PhD, Elizabeth Ornelas, and Micah Stoor presented “Healing Together: Integrating Domestic Violence Advocacy into Recovery Programs.” The session explored the intersection of domestic violence and substance use, highlighting how trauma, coercive control, and systemic silos create barriers to healing. Presenters discussed trauma-informed and person-centered approaches for both community and correctional settings, emphasizing the importance of cross-training between domestic violence and substance use disorder fields. Using examples from programs currently being run in Nevada’s correctional facilities in partnership with Extension, such as Healthy Steps to Freedom and How to Avoid Falling for a Jerk (or Jerkette), we demonstrated how collaborative, harm-reduction strategies can help providers balance safety and sobriety for survivors. Participants were encouraged to reflect on what "healing together” means within their own practice and to apply trauma-informed principles to strengthen recovery and advocacy work.
National Association of Counties Annual Conference
Our Hope and Recovery Teams had the opportunity to participate in the National Association of Counties Annual Conference, where we hosted an interactive table focused on strengthening healthy family relationships. Elizabeth Ornelas and Fall Intern Giana Honorio created a fun and engaging game designed to spark meaningful conversations between children and the adults in their lives about communication, trust, and connection.
Throughout the event, we were honored to meet commissioners and county officials from across the state of Nevada, share insights about our programs, and highlight the importance of family wellness in building stronger communities.
40-Hour Hope Advocate Training
We want to send heartfelt congratulations to our most recent 40-Hour Hope Advocate Training graduates! Held at the beginning of October, this week-long class brought together an outstanding group of professionals dedicated to making change in our community. We greatly appreciate the rich discussions and diverse perspectives shared on the issues affecting communities across the state of Nevada, including rural areas and tribal nations. Thank you to all who participated for your dedication to advocacy, awareness, and hope!
2026 Hope Advocate Trainings
January 2026
Jan. 40-Hour Hope Advocate Training – North Las Vegas
Location: University of Nevada, Reno Extension
2280 North McDaniel Street, North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Jan. 12-15 (consecutive days) 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
REGISTER FOR JAN 2026 HAT (VEGAS)
March 2026
Mar. 40-Hour Hope Advocate Training – Reno
Location: University of Nevada, Reno Redfield Campus
18600 Wedge Parkway, Rm. 230 Reno, NV 8511
Mar. 2 to 5 (consecutive days) 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
REGISTER FOR MAR 2026 HAT (RENO)
July 2026
Jul. 40-Hour Hope Advocate Training – North Las Vegas
Location: University of Nevada, Reno Extension
2280 North McDaniel Street, North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Jul. 8, 15, 22, 29 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
REGISTER FOR JUL 2026 HAT (VEGAS)
October 2026
Oct. 40-Hour Hope Advocate Training – North Las Vegas
Location: University of Nevada, Reno Extension
2280 North McDaniel Street, North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Oct. 6-9 (consecutive days) 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
REGISTER FOR OCT 2026 HAT (VEGAS)
Upcoming Trainings
Trauma Informed Investigation and Prosecutions
Dec. 11, 2025
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Join the Nevada Attorney General’s Office and the Hope for Family Resilience team for a training on Trauma Informed Investigations and Prosecutions on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, offered in person at UNR campuses in North Las Vegas and Reno. There will also be a virtual option if you are unable to attend in person. This session will explore trauma-informed, multidisciplinary approaches that strengthen collaboration, elevate victim engagement, and align with Nevada laws such as Marsy’s Law. Continuing Education Units and Continuing Legal Education hours will be provided—register today to enhance your impact and knowledge within the criminal justice system! This training is eligible for 4 CEUs, please click the link below to register.
Trauma Informed Investigation & Prosecutions Registration
Healthy Living Sustainable Recovery Trainings
Jan. 7, 2026 or Jan. 22, 2026
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Healthy Living Sustainable Recovery Team will be hosting virtual trainings via Zoom on Jan. 7, 2026 for Mental Health Professionals and Jan. 22, 2026 for Nutrition Professionals. This training will address integrated, core issues related to health and nutrition that impact recovery outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders. The training will also highlight unique recovery challenges females face related to the type of substances they use more often, reasons for this use, and factors affecting reoccurrence. These include weight concerns, dieting and metabolism, eating pathology, and body dissatisfaction. This training is eligible for 8 CEUs, please click the link below to register.
Healthy Living Sustainable Recovery Registration
Upcoming Events
Mom & Me Wellness Retreat
Join the Hope and Recovery team for the Second Annual Mom & Me Wellness Retreat. A heartwarming weekend camp in Alamo, Nevada. This retreat is designed for women in their recovery journey from domestic violence and/or substance use and their children. This is a rewarding opportunity to step away from daily stress, reconnect as a family, celebrate and create lasting memories in a supportive, nature-filled environment.
The application will close on Mar. 31, 2026 and selections wll be made and notified on Apr. 15, 2026. Please click the link below to apply.
Mom & Me Wellness Retreat Application
Community Resource Sharing Meeting
On Aug. 15, 2025, Nevada’s Eighth Judicial District Court Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental Health and Addiction and the Extension Hope for Family Resilience teams hosted their biannual Community Resource Sharing Meeting. The event had over 165 participants and 75+ organizations presenting a slide!
Please join us on Feb. 6, 2026 at the North Las Vegas Extension office located at 2280 N McDaniel Street, North Las Vegas, NV 89030 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the next one! At this event, organizations submit a one-slide PowerPoint presentation and have two minutes to share about who they are and what services they can provide. This is a great networking opportunity to see what resources are available in Las Vegas and connect with local professionals and community members. Register below and don't forget to submit a slide to present!
Community Resource Sharing Meeting Registration
Grow with the Hope Team!
As the Hope Team continues to grow, we would like to begin highlighting any upcoming events and current job openings for our community partners, free of charge! Please send any event information and job postings over to HopeTeam@unr.edu to be featured in our next newsletter. The next newsletter will be published in Spring 2026.
HOPE FOR FAMILY RESILIENCE PROGRAM
