New Faces Symbolize Sustainability and Growth for CST Network

North Texas Center
 and Business Office

4123 Junius Street
Dallas, TX 75246
Phone: 214-827-2314
Email: cst@cstnet.org

Central Texas Center

5124 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
Phone: 512-358-4612
Email: cst-ct@cstnet.org

Gulf Coast Center

Email: cst-gc@cstnet.org
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Sustainability was the main focus of the strategic plan approved by the board in May 2008. That plan began take shape with the addition of two new staff members.

The first new hire, Network Administrative Coordinator Denise Dempsey, began in March. Ms. Dempsey brings her technical and organizational skills to CST, along with a heart full of compassion. According to Executive Director Sharmin DeMoss, "she has a no-nonsense, detail-oriented approach to financial and client data input, design, and reporting."

The mother of six rambunctious children, Ms. Dempsey displays a sense of calm at the center that stands in contrast to her bustling home. A licensed massage therapist, she has already provided massage therapy for clients.

CST's mission is to provide specialized psychological and rehabilitation services
to survivors of torture and other human rights abuses, traumatized refugees and their families
in order to promote emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being and economic self-sufficiency.

CST Celebrates 10 Years,
Four in Austin

Center for Survivors of Torture celebrated our 10th Anniversary with a party and successful art auction in Austin on May 3rd, 2009. Susan Antone donated space at her club, Antone’s House of Blues, a historic venue pioneering the live music scene in Austin.

An array of performers contributed entertainment, and Mandy Rowden emceed throughout the evening. Kalu James, a singer-songwriter originally from Nigeria, performed with his band.

We are grateful to everyone who helped ensure that the night was a success.

Palestinian Refugees the Focus of Professional Training

Center for Survivors of Torture staff spoke to attendees on the issues facing Palestinian refugees at the Refugee Outreach Clinic's Dallas Area Refugee Forum on May 9th.

Rena Taylor, CST North Texas Client Care Coordinator spoke at the event, relaying experiences from her recent trip to the region. "A Palestinian family was able to leave the concrete walls of their refugee camp for one day to take their children to a park in Jerusalem," she said. "When the outing was over, the children cried because they did not know if they would ever get to see anything green again.”

The Refugee Outreach Clinic’s Program Coordinator Lance Rasbridge explained that the forum addresses issues in the global refugee population each month, and that the May event focused attention on Palestinian issues. Unbiased education regarding Palestinian issues is a highly relevant topic because professionals often have less experience with this refugee population than some others, Ms. Taylor said.