A group of Lubbock women who share the heartbreak of losing loved ones to violence is turning their grief into action through the creation of a new nonprofit dedicated to supporting other families facing similar tragedies.
Christina Pauda, mother of Katrina Cyan Castillo; Anna Ysasaga Cruz, mother of Mark Ysasaga; and Isabel Ortiz, grandmother of Mason Rodriguez, have come together to launch Lubbock V.O.I.C.E.S., an organization focused on advocacy, outreach, and support for families affected by violent crime in Lubbock and surrounding communities.
The organization will formally introduce its mission during a community event on April 10, bringing together families, advocates, and service providers to begin building a stronger network of support and resources.
For Ortiz, the decision to step forward publicly has been deeply personal. After years of coping with her family’s loss and other health challenges, she says she realized the importance of sharing her story so others would not feel alone…